The Must List: What's Hot for the Week of September 27, 2009

TV
COMMUNITY on NBC
The Soup's Joel McHale plays a jaw-jacking attorney with a degree from Columbia — wait, no, that's Colombia. That one vowel forces Mr. Cocky back into college, where he hangs with a merry band of losers (including a terrific Chevy Chase as the creepy older dude). Funny and sharp, Community goes to the head of the class (even when it has none).

TV
DEXTER on Showtime
Death is Dexter's business, and business is good. Season 4 (kicking off Sept. 27) delivers competition and regulation, in the form of John Lithgow as a killer and Keith Carradine as the law. That's a lot of red tape to slice through, Dex.

BOOKS
THE ANTHOLOGIST, by Nicholson Baker
In this new novel, jilted poet Paul Chowder has writer's block — and an archly comic story about his messy office and messier life.

MUSIC
''NEVER FORGET YOU,'' Noisettes
Adele and Amy Winehouse aren't the only ones who can make retro feel mod. This new Noisettes single is lush, kicky, and nicely produced.

MUSIC
REVOLUTION, Miranda Lambert
Revolution? Perhaps. Evolution, certainly, as Lambert finds her artistic footing with this, her third country album (and without a doubt her best). The no-nonsense Texan still knows how to let out a rebel yell — after all, that is a rifle at the base of her mic stand. But she has more to say this time than ever before.

TV
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES on ABC
Kudos to this still-lively series for its artful mix of convention and reinvention: This season, Drea de Matteo is the new Housewife on the Lane, while Karl (Richard Burgi) keeps pursuing Wisteria's women and fertile Lynette (Felicity Huffman) copes with the prospect of adding more twins to her brood.

MOVIES
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY trailer
This creepy preview shows audiences reacting to the flick about ghostly goings-on in a couple's home. If Paranormal is half as terrifying as the freaked-out, spazzy filmgoers make it seem, we're so in.

BOOKS
EYE-POPPING 3-D PETS, by Barry Rothstein and Betsy Rothstein
Not just 3-D, but phantogram 3-D, meaning the puppies and kitties (and tarantulas and bearded dragons!) in this fun, oversize book look like they're right there. Glasses included.

INTERNET
''PRE-MAKE'' TRAILERS on YouTube
A clever film buff with a wry sense of humor turns Chuck Heston into Indiana Jones (''He's handy with his whip! And handy with his lips!'') and reimagines Forrest Gump as an old-timey tearjerker starring Jimmy Stewart.

READER'S CHOICE: TV
Bones on Fox
After four seasons, Booth (David Boreanaz) and Brennan (Emily Deschanel, left) finally see what we always knew: They're twitterpated! Now, if we could just get Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) and Angela (Michaela Conlin) back together, we'd be kings of the lab. —Submitted by Kim

READER'S CHOICE: BOOKS
Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne
''As a world traveler and a huge Talking Heads fan, I vote for Bicycle Diaries, in which David Byrne writes about getting to know cities around the world from the vantage point of riding his bike. He’s always had his finger on the pulse of what’s worth thinking about, and this time, it’s traveling around fossil-fuel-free.'' —Parminder

READER'S CHOICE: MUSIC
Your Songs, Harry Connick, Jr.
''I previewed the songs of this new album online (all standards) and his musicianship is heavenly, plus the orchestra sounds stunning. He's not bad on the eyes, either.'' —Carolyn

READER'S CHOICE: TV
House on Fox
''House is back! House in the asylum, Hugh Laurie, House/Wilson bromance — what’s not to love? I bought the DVDs this summer and am straight up addicted this show. Plus the 'Grounds for Divorce' promos are fantastic. I can’t wait!'' —Raven

READER'S CHOICE: MUSIC
''Ready for the Weekend,'' Calvin Harris
''The must: 'Ready for the Weekend.' The reason: this track makes me wanna daaannnce.'' —Analiese

READER'S CHOICE: MUSIC
The Resistance, Muse
''It’s a rock album that ends with a three-movement symphony. How can it not be a Must this week?'' —Crispy