Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Monday, March 9, 2009

If you thought your Monday night schedule was crowded, then things it just got a little worse – that is if you’re a fan of DANCING WITH THE STARS (which I’m not). The dancing divas return to wreak havoc on the ratings. Also premiering on ABC tonight is Nathan Fillion’s CASTLE (which I’ll have more on later today.)

I know I shouldn’t play favorites but I do. Guys we need to do some serious chatting up of CHUCK. NBC hasn’t yet picked up the show for a third season and with DWTS back CHUCK’s ratings are going to take a hit.  Spread the word. Make sure to watch. Please.

Weekend Update with GMMR…
I fell a little behind on my TV blogging this weekend. I’d apologize but it was seriously nice out this weekend in Boston – I’m talking Spring like weather (of course it’s snowing like crazy right now…and you wonder why I want to move to the West Coast).  After the brutal winter we’ve had thus far I really couldn’t stay indoors to blog. You understand, right?  So check back later today on quick reviews of Friday favorites like BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, and maybe DOLLHOUSE.

Ok on to Monday night’s TV extravaganza!

Chuck | 8pm on NBC
“Chuck Versus the Lethal Weapon”
Sarah and Casey go in search of the man behind Fulcrum’s plans to build its own Intersect, leaving Chuck and Agent Barker (Jonathan Cake) in a safety bunker. [GMMR: The promo alone makes me happy.  Schwartz & Fedak said we’d never see Chuck Bartowski with a gun. I guess they changed their minds.]

The Big Bang Theory | 8pm on CBS
“The Terminator Decoupling”
Leonard, Sheldon and Wolowitz are ecstatic to learn that a famous science-fiction actress (Summer Glau) is on board the train they are taking to San Francisco. [GMMR: Tonight’s episode should be fun. To see some sneak peek video clips click here: Summer Glau & George Smoot Guest on THE BIG BANG THEORY.]

House | 8pm on Fox
“The Social Contract”
House and the team treat a patient who speaks his mind uncontrollably; House thinks Taub and Wilson are keeping something from him. [GMMR: Welcome back, House. We missed you!]

Dancing with the Stars 8pm on ABC | 2-hour Season Premiere
Celebrities Belinda Carlisle, David Alan Grier, Shawn Johnson, Lil’ Kim, Gilles Marini, Ty Murray, Steve-O, Denise Richards, Lawrence Taylor, Chuck Wicks, and Steve Wozniak partner with dance professionals to compete. [GMMR: They try to lure me in by adding more SYTYCDancers but I’m not following for it. I won’t be watching. That being said, two new dancers will be joining tonight to replace Jewel & Nancy O’Dell who have already been injured – wimps. Supposedly Melissa from THE BACHELOR is one, and there are rumors of an ex-playmate in the other spot. ]

How I Met Your Mother | 8:30pm on CBS
“Sorry, Bro.”
Marshall and Lily are less than thrilled when they hear that Ted’s college girlfriend (Laura Prepon) has moved to New York. [GMMR: From what I’ve heard tonight is pretty damn funny.  Any time we get to see College!Ted and that hair it’s a good thing.]

Heroes | 9pm on NBC
“Shades of Gray”
Sylar’s reunion with his long-lost father (John Glover) is not what he expected; Claire gets a tip from Rebel and must decide whether to help her sworn enemy (David Lawrence XVII) evade capture; Matt finds himself in the spotlight. [GMMR: HEROES has officially lost me again.  I tried. I did. But I found it painful.]

24 | 8pm on Fox
“Day 7: 8:00PM – 9:00PM”
President Taylor is faced with a compounding foreign-policy dilemma; Jack takes charge as a threat develops stateside.

Castle | 10pm on ABC | Season Premiere
“Flowers For Your Grave”
Mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) works with New York police to find a real-world killer who is modeling his crimes after scenes from Castle’s novels. [GMMR: More on CASTLE later today. Glad to have Nathan Fillion on my TV every week. Eye candy!]

Medium | 10pm on NBC
“Apocalypse…Now?”
Allison becomes preoccupied with preparing for the end of civilization after an earthquake follows an apocryphal dream; an upperclassman seeks out Ariel for help with geometry, then asks her out.

Also playing…

• The Secret Life of the American Teenager | 8pm on ABC Family: Adrian and Grace plan Amy’s baby shower; Jack and Grace share a moment.

• Two and a Half Men | 9pm on CBS: When Charlie swears his love to Chelsea (Jennifer Taylor), her response is nothing like what he’d expected.

• Kyle XY | 9pm on ABC Family: Jessi is dismayed when Kyle invites Cassidy over for dinner.

• Rules of Engagement | 9:30pm on CBS: Russell discovers that having a male assistant can be beneficial; Audrey makes a bet that she can commit to finishing a project.

• CSI: Miami | 10pm on CBS: The CSI team makes a shocking discovery about its murder victim; Horatio tries to save his son from Julia’s erratic behavior.

All this and GOSSIP GIRL and ONE TREE HILL haven’t come back yet. YIKES! What does YOUR TV lineup look like tonight?