Official Fall TV Kickoff: What to Watch…Monday, September 21, 2008

Ladies and gentlemen….I’m here to officially welcome you to the 2008 Fall TV season!!  Yes some new shows have been back for a few weeks now, but tonight marks that day when all the major networks are back with their new programming.  I couldn’t be more excited!

There’s a lot happening here on GMMR this week. Each day in additional to our daily “What to Watch” list, I’m going to be delving a little deeper into that night’s TV schedule and letting you know what I’m watching when…and why.  I’ll also be sharing my 11 cents (because really, what can you buy with 2 cents these days) on the new shows turning up on the tube this season as well as the scoop on your returning favorites.

And throughout the week you’ll also be introduced to the new members of TEAM GMMR – readers, just like you, who have moved from the comments section to center stage to take on some of our favorite shows.  Our new team will be writing show reviews, original columns and helping to keep us all up on the latest TV news and gossip.  I hope you’ll welcome them warmly.

Keep checking back throughout the day, every day this week as you don’t want to miss a minute of the TV fun!

Let’s do this.  Here are some highlights from tonight’s TV schedule…

Heroes | 8pm on NBC | Special
“Countdown to the Premiere”
Cast members host a countdown show. Included: a review of important plot points; a lineup of suspects in Nathan’s shooting; a look at the special-effects process; a sample of translated episodes airing internationally; and an exploration of the series’ subtle nods to “Star Trek.”

The Big Bang Theory | 8pm on CBS | Season Premiere
In the second-season opener, Penny surprisingly turns to Sheldon as a confidant after her disastrous first date with Leonard. But when Sheldon is forced to keep a secret it turns out to be disastrous for all involved.

Gossip Girl | 8pm on The CW
When Dan starts getting friendly with new girl Amanda (Laura-Leigh), Blair carries out a sabotage plan while simultaneously helping Vanessa devise a scheme concerning a secret Catherine’s been harboring.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | 8pm on Fox
Cromartie kidnaps Charley’s wife, so Sarah and Derek put their heads together to devise a rescue plan. Elsewhere, John’s stuck in the middle when it comes to dealing with Cameron and Riley.

Dancing with the Stars | 8pm on ABC | Season Premiere
The seventh-season opener begins with 13 celebrities who each perform one of two routines they’ve prepared. Check out ex- “So You Think You Can Dance” finalist, Lacey Schwimmer, who is paired this season with Lance Bass.

How I Met Your Mother | 8:30pm on CBS| Season Premiere
In the fourth-season opener, Stella gives Ted an answer to his proposal, and Barney realizes he’s in love with Robin. Marshall and Ted come to grips with their obsession with “Star Wars”.

Heroes | 9pm on NBC | 2-hour Season Premiere
Nathan’s shooter is revealed in the Season 3 opener. Elsewhere, Sylar visits Claire; Hiro and Ando guard a dangerous family secret and fret over the bleak future involving a dubious woman (Brea Grant); and Suresh makes an important breakthrough.

Prison Break | 9pm on Fox
Don Self tracks down another card to a safe in a heavily guarded Los Angeles federal office building while Mahone gets a few leads in his efforts to track down Wyatt, who chases Sara and tortures Gretchen

One Tree Hill | 9pm on The CW
Lucas has trouble inspiring his team. Meanwhile, Haley looks into someone’s disappearance; Brooke confronts a person from her past; Nate deals with his mother’s new relationship; and Peyton is shocked when a famous musician drops by her studio.

Two & a Half Men | 9pm on CBS | Season Premiere
In the sixth-season opener, Charlie runs into an ex-girlfriend (Rena Sofer) whose son bears a striking resemblance to him. Russell: Martin Mull. Chuck: Aaron Refvem.

Worst Week | 9:30pm on CBS | Series Premiere
In the pilot episode, disaster-prone Sam Briggs (Kyle Bornheimer) and his girlfriend, Melanie (Erinn Hayes), visit her parents who don’t like Sam, to tell them that they are engaged and expecting a child. Dick: Kurtwood Smith. Angela: Nancy Lenehan.

Boston Legal | 1opm on ABC | Season Premiere
In the premiere for the fifth and final season, Alan answers a call for help from Bethany Horowitz in a suit against a tobacco giant, but he suffers a crisis of confidence when the opposing counsel (Ally Walker) turns out to be an old girlfriend.

Raising the Bar | 10pm on TNT
Richard’s wealthy father extends an invitation to Roz to join the team of lawyers at his firm; Jerry defends a woman he believes was only arrested because of what she knows; a suspect is accused of murder after protecting his property.

CSI: Miami | 10pm on CBS | Season Premiere
The seventh season begins with the team searching for the person who shot Horatio while he was standing on an airport tarmac. Several suspects quickly emerge, and one of them is a member of H’s own group.

The Hills | 10pm on MTV
Not exactly sure what’s going on in tonight’s episode but I’ll give it a stab.  Lauren is having some kind of dramatic issue with a friend|boyfriend|potential boyfriend|work.  Meanwhile Heidi and Spencer continue their day to day lives without any knowledge that they are a huge joke.  And I will still miss the days of LAGUNA BEACH.