Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Monday, March 23, 2009

Welcome TV lovers!  It’s Monday night, that special night of TV where many of our favorite shows go head-to-head in a battle to the death…or ratings. It’s a shame that all these fantastic shows are up against each other.  TV viewers certainly lose out.

I’m excited though, are you?

I wanted to take a quick minute and thank all of you who sent birthday wishes this weekend.  My inbox was feeling the love.  It meant a lot, so thanks!

Now on to the battle of Monday night television!

Chuck | 8pm on NBC
“Chuck Versus the Predator
Chuck finds the creator of the Intersect; a conflict breaks out between the Burbank Buy More and the Beverly Hills branch. [GMMR: Dear NBC, please don’t rerun CHUCK again. I missed it so much last week. Thanks. XOXO – Me.]

How I Met Your Mother | 8pm on CBS | Special Time
Barney and Marshall conspire to keep Ted in the dark when a client cancels plans to build its new headquarters using Ted’s design. [GMMR: Back-to-back episodes of HIMYM tonight but this is the only new one.  Episode at 8:30pm is the legendary “The Bracket”. Appropriate.]

Gossip Girl | 8pm on The CW
“The Grandfather”
Devastated by recent events, Blair explores her dark side; Lily and Rufus decide to be completely honest with each other. [GMMR: This week’s episode, while not up to true GOSSIP GIRL standards, is definitely better than last week’s train wreck. Maybe by next week’s episode the writers will be out of their post-hiatus funk.]

GG writers…THIS is what we like…(check out a great clip from tonight’s episode)

Heroes | 9pm on NBC
“Cold Snap”
H.R.G. convinces Emile Danko to release Tracy, in hopes that she will lead them to “Rebel”; Angela turns to an old friend (Swoosie Kurtz) for help; Ando and Hiro try to protect the newest hero. [GMMR: I guess I’ll watch tonight. I mean, it is Swoosie Kurtz!]

24 | 8pm on Fox
“Day 7: 10:00PM – 11:00PM”
The president’s daughter (Sprague Grayden) becomes increasingly involved in the day’s events; a high-ranking official delivers devastating news to the administration.

One Tree Hill| 9pm on The CW
“Searching for a Former Clarity”
Haley and Peyton help Mia (Kate Voegele) with her single; Brooke intervenes when Sam is arrested; Jamie learns the truth about Dan and Uncle Keith.

Roommates | 9pm on ABC Family | Series Premiere
“The Roommate”
In the series premiere of this comedy, which focuses on friends navigating postcollege life in NYC, Mark runs into his high-school crush, Katie (Dorian Brown), and moves in with her and her roommates, hoping to win her affection. [GMMR: Check back later this morning for more on “Roommates”]

Sophie | 9:30pm on ABC Family | Series Premiere
“The Tornado”
Sophie’s boyfriend sleeps with her best friend and steals her clients for his own competing talent agency hours before Sophie gives birth.

Castle | 10pm on ABC
“Hedge Fund Homeboyz”
Castle and Beckett uncover a story of betrayal and obsession when they investigate the death of a teenage boy. [GMMR: Here’s to hoping episode three builds on the last episode.Maybe this show is just a slow starter. ]

Medium | 10pm on NBC
“A Necessary Evil “
Kurtwood Smith reprises his guest-star role as FBI agent Edward Cooper, who materializes as a ghost to help Allison catch a criminal. However, Allison soon begins to question Cooper’s true motives. Elsewhere, Joe hires a man with a dubious résumé.

Also playing…

• Dancing with the Stars 8pm on ABC | Celebrities compete with their professional dance partners.

• The Secret Life of the American Teenager | 8pm on ABC Family: Friends and family arrive for the birth of Amy’s baby; Amy has a hard time making the transition to motherhood; George and Ashley move out.

• Rules of Engagement | 9:30pm on CBS:Jeff’s chauvinist father (Brian Dennehy), who expects Audrey to wait on him hand and foot, extends his visit after spraining his ankle.

• CSI: Miami | 10pm on CBS: A home invasion turns into something more when the team discovers that the Russian mob is targeting them.

Certainly a lot to choose from. Share YOUR Monday night TV lineup in the comments below.