Tonight’s BIG Premiere Week Spotlight…Monday, September 20, 2010

Tonight OFFICIALLY kicks off the 2010 Fall TV season. Can you stand it?!

With so many shows on this evening, I feel like I need some kind of advanced degree just to program my DVRs.  I checked and double checked and I’m still a bit nervous something won’t record.  This week I’m lucky, as I got a chance to see a few of these episodes in advance, but come next Monday and beyond…oy vey!

In honor of all the premieres, the daily ‘TV Spotlight’ post will be a little longer this week, so that we can talk about some of the new shows premiering this fall as well as my quick take on the returning favorites.  Some are worth checking out; some are not worthy of the space on your DVR.

Monday nights are insane, and I so expect all of you reading this to leave a comment and let us know what YOU are watching this evening.  What will you be watching LIVE, watching delayed on your DVR, or saving until later on in the week?  Tell us and your fellow TV addicts in the comments below.

Chuck | 8pm on NBC | Season Premiere
“Chuck Versus the Anniversary”
Chuck and Morgan search the globe for Chuck’s mother (Linda Hamilton); Casey and Sarah track an operative (Dolph Lundgren) of the mysterious Volkoff Industries; Ellie shares big news. [GMMR: Um, can I get a YAY!! You guys are going to LOVE the season premiere of CHUCK! Chuck Bartowski might have a new mission in life, but he’s the same old Chuck…just that much better at kicking ass and taking out the bad guys.  Oh and saving his hot as sin girlfriend. Stay tuned to GMMR today for part one of our chat with CHUCK Executive Producer, Chris Fedak.]

How I Met Your Mother | 8pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“Big Days”
In the sixth-season opener, Ted runs into Cindy (Rachel Bilson), whom he dated briefly–and who is also the roommate of his future wife; Robin is having a difficult time getting over Don; and Marshall can’t stop talking about starting a family. [GMMR: Tonight’s ep is classic HIMYM! It was really nice to see the gang together again. Oh how I’ve missed you, Barney Stinson…and Barney Stinson’s suits. Yes, Rachel Bilson is back and her storyline might be a bit surprising, but nothing like the twist we’ll be talking about after the episode. For more on this season (and a hint at tonight’s twist), check out our chat with HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER creators Carter Bays & Craig Thomas.]

90210 | 8pm on The CW
“Age of Inheritance”
Naomi discovers she can access money in her trust fund; the Honey Brothers perform a few songs; Dixon, Navid and Liam take Oscar for a night on the town; Annie has an instant connection to a man she meets at a coffee shop. [GMMR: In case you missed it, here’s our interview with 90210’s Ryan Eggold. He’s talking baby mama drama, Naomi, Teddy and more on season 3.]

Dancing with the Stars | 8pm on ABC | Season Premiere
“Debut”
In the 11th-season opener, 12 couples perform either the Viennese waltz or the cha-cha. Competitors include Florence Henderson, Bristol Palin, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Rick Fox, Kurt Warner, David Hasselhoff and Jennifer Grey. [GMMR: Sorry, not my cup of tea. My remote might wander over briefly to check out how Jennifer Grey and The Situation do strutting their stuff, but I won’t be sticking around. Do we have big DWTS fans here? Speak up…tell me how wrong I am for not liking your show.]

House | 8pm on Fox | Season Premiere
“Now What?”
House and Cuddy explore the ramifications of their feelings for each other; a colleague’s illness leaves the hospital without a neurosurgeon on site. [GMMR: I’ve seen the first two episodes of the season, and all I’ll say is that they will definitely have Huddy-lovers and Huddy-haters throwing mud. Our resident HOUSE writer, Erik, will be sharing his thoughts at the end of the episode. Make sure you join in on what I’m sure will be a “spirited” conversation. Want a few nuggets to hold you over until tonight? Check out HOUSE Season Premiere: You Ask, I Answer (spoiler alert).]

Gossip Girl | 8pm on The CW
“Double Identity”
Lily asks Serena to track down Chuck, who has found a new life and a new love interest in Europe. Meanwhile, Blair gets a second chance with Louis; and Juliet devises a plan to help Nate win back Serena, though it involves manipulating Dan and Vanessa. [GMMR: Reunited and it feels so good.  Yes, Chuck and Blair come face to face tonight. Paris is the city of love…but not for everyone.  I’ll be back later with my thoughts on the episode. Hoping you’ll chime in too.]

Lone Star | 9pm on Fox | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
The series premiere introduces Bob Allen (James Wolk), a second-generation con man who wants to leave the family business and go straight while keeping his two identities—and two relationships—in tact. [GMMR: Stay tuned to GMMR for more about LONE STAR, my favorite new show of the Fall season. This one is most definitely worth checking out. A great cast. Captivating story. And hello…have you see James Wolk? Check out “First Look – LONE STAR on Fox“.]

The Event | 9pm on NBC | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
The series about a spectacular conspiracy gets underway with everyman Sean Walker (Jason Ritter) looking into the disappearance of his girlfriend Leila (Sarah Roemer) from a Caribbean cruise. In other events, the president (Blair Underwood), over the objections of his National Intelligence director (Željko Ivanek), plans to announce he’s releasing a group of detainees. [GMMR: One of this season’s most highly anticipated series, THE EVENT, gives us an ambitious pilot which does all it can to set itself up as the next LOST, but I’m fearful that it might end up more like last season’s FLASH FORWARD. The pilot, while interesting, didn’t grab me the way I had hoped it would. But I definitely think you should check it out and let me know what you think. I’m giving it another shot tonight and another episode next week…you never know, I might like it more the second time around. For more, click on “First Look – THE EVENT on NBC“]

Mike & Molly | 9:30pm on CBS | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
Teacher Molly Flynn invites officer Mike Biggs to speak to her fourth-grade class after becoming smitten with him at an Overeaters’ Anonymous meeting. [GMMR: A cute enough sitcom that had a few laughs in the pilot. I think this show will find an audience (my folks already have their DVR set). But with an already overcrowded Monday night, I can’t say that I’m going to find time in my schedule for M&M this season.]

Castle | 10pm on ABC | Season Premiere
“A Deadly Affair”
In the third-season premiere, Beckett finds Castle holding a gun at a murder scene and is forced to arrest him despite his claims of innocence. [GMMR: Calling all you CASTLE fans! Join us after tonight’s season premiere for a post-ep LIVE chat (11pm EST and PST). Until then, get a little scoop on tonight’s episode here: CASTLE Season 3 Premiere: You Ask, I Answer (spoiler alert)]

Hawaii Five-0 | 10pm on CBS | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
An elite task force probes high-level crimes in this reboot of the classic series. In the opener, decorated naval officer Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) investigates his father’s murder and is persuaded by the governor to head up a new police squad that answers directly to her. [GMMR: At the risk of being drawn and quartered by MOONLIGHT fans, Alex O’Loughlin is merely eye candy in this remake of the iconic series.  He just doesn’t bring much substance to the show. Scott Caan, on the other hand, is fantastic.  He’s the one who really delivers for H50. While I wasn’t head over heels for the pilot, I think those more prone to procedurals will really dig it.]

Chase | 10pm on NBC | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
An action-adventure series about a team of U.S. Marshals tracking down fugitive criminals in the American Southwest, it kicks off with a case about a prison escapee (Travis Fimmel) who just committed a double homicide during a home invasion after being on the run for five years. Meanwhile, the task force welcomes a new member to the team. [GMMR: Sorry guys, but I found CHASE ‘meh’.  I wanted to like it – if only because it featured Cole Hauser and PRISON BREAK’s Amaury Nolasco – but I didn’t find anything special about it. It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t something to get excited about either. Interested to hear what you all have to say. Thinking about watching? Check out “First Look – CHASE on NBC.“]

Weeds | 10pm on Showtime
“Boomerang”
A parking violation could lead to Nancy and the gang being identified, so they have to go on the lam again, scuttling Silas’ plan to attend college. Meanwhile, Ignacio and Cesar take Doug hostage.

The Big C | 10:30pm on Showtime
“Blue-Eyed Iris”
Cathy stumbles upon Adam watching pornography and later gets involved with a new man, the school’s muralist (Idris Elba). Meanwhile, Paul finds he has a new admirer after getting hurt playing rugby; Sean fights to keep from getting evicted from his home in an abandoned building that is scheduled to be razed; and Marlene gives Sean her late husband’s suit.

Also playing…

• Rules of Engagement | 8:30pm on CBS | Season Premiere: In the fifth-season opener, Jeff and Audrey are surprised by some news about their potential surrogate mother, Pam.

• Two and a Half Men | 9pm on CBS | Season Premiere: Jake goes to live with Judith and Herb after learning that Alan has been dating Eldridge’s mom; Charlie decides to cut back on his drinking.

• Thintervention with Jackie Warner | 10pm on Bravo : After several heated exchanges, Jackie arranges a dinner for the clients to resolve their issues.

My watch live/DVR schedule:

Let’s pretend for a minute that I haven’t watched most of tonight’s shows. Here’s my Monday schedule moving forward. Given the writing I need to do, the shows with the * might be watched Tuesday morning and the ** shows could wait until later in the week (you know, just in case I want to try to sleep.)

8pm

• Watch CHUCK
• DVR #1: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
• DVR #2: HOUSE*

9pm

• Watch GOSSIP GIRL
• DVR #1: LONE STAR
• DVR #2: THE EVENT*

10pm

• DVR #1: HAWAII FIVE-0 ** (for now….)

What will YOU be watching? What are your Watch/DVR priorities. This is important business.Chime in below!

And for another look at what Fall TV has to offer, check out our GMMR’s very own Korbi Ghosh commenting on returning favorites, fresh faces, new dramas and comedies too in Yahoo! TV’s Fall Preview special.