Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Thursday, June 23, 2011

Lots of new shows tonight! Whether it’s series premieres (EXPEDITION IMPOSSIBLE, SUITS and WILFRED), season premieres (BURN NOTICE, ROOKIE BLUE and LOUIE) or just a new episode (4 dancers are leaving SYTYCD!), there’s a ton to choose from this fine Thursday evening.

Read on to find out more!

So You Think You Can Dance | 8pm on Fox
“4 of 20 Voted Off”
The first contestants from the Top 20 will be eliminated from the race for the title of America’s Favorite Dancer. Find out who is safe and who will be sent home.

Wipeout | 8pm on ABC | Timeslot Premiere
“Hotties versus Nerds”
The summer premiere boasts an epic battle of the sexes — with a twist — pitting 12 of the most beautiful hotties against 12 of the geekiest nerds in a rivalry as old as time, as they hit the field and battle it out for $50, 000. As 24 players race through the all-new qualifier, the hotties will take some amazing falls while the nerds take some blundering tumbles, but only the final three will earn a spot in the Wipeout Zone. The hotties and nerds will run through the Wipeout Carwash, which soaks up contestants before the wax is applied — Wipeout-style. After the field is narrowed to 12, Total Carnage makes its debut, a new stunt that definitely lives up to its name. A group of six will then move on to the Wipeout Play Set to see which one of the final three can bring home bragging rights and the title of Wipeout Champion.

So much more…

Burn Notice | 9pm on USA | Season Premiere
“Company Man”
In the Season 5 premiere, Michael works with his old agency to go after the people who burned him in a case that leads the group to Venezuela.

Expedition Impossible | 9pm on ABC | Series Premiere
“Sun! Sand! Sahara!”
“Expedition Impossible” follows 13 teams of 3, racing in a fun expedition across vast deserts, over snow capped mountains and through raging rivers in the beautifully exotic, fabled kingdom of Morocco. Each week a new stage of the expedition will be revealed to the teams. Will they crumble under the pressure of having to think clearly in the wilds of the great outdoors, or will they find a way to work together to complete their adventures? And if one person quits, the entire team is eliminated. After 10 stunning legs of competition with drama, comedy and great characters, one team will cross the finish line first to claim victory. Each winning team member will receive $50,000 ($150,000 total for the team) as well a new Ford Explorer.

On the premiere episode, “Sun! Sand! Sahara!,” the 13 teams of ordinary Americans set out on the adventure of a lifetime across the ancient kingdom of Morocco, battling rugged terrain, untamable animals and each other. After facing the sand dunes of the Sahara and the cliffs of Todra Gorge, one team will be eliminated.

Rookie Blue | 10pm on ABC | Season Premiere
“Butterflies”
In the premiere episode, Andy’s world explodes when a fresh-faced university student is caught in the crossfire during a random concert shooting. Devastated by the seemingly senseless act of violence, she sets out to unravel the motive and track down the shooter — putting her in direct conflict with Division 15’s new detective, Jo Rosati. Meanwhile, as Rosati investigates her own angle on the concert mayhem, sparks fly between her and her former partner, Detective Luke Callaghan

Love Bites | 10pm on NBC
“Sky High”
Judd talks Colleen into trying some of the treats he purchased at a medical marijuana store and just when the two are really enjoying their lazy Sunday “fun day,” they realize they are late for a family Christening. Meanwhile, Annie’s niece Christy is a cool, confident high school senior. When she asks the less confident Josh to the prom, his family and friends rush in with advice, warnings and even kissing lessons in preparation for the big date. Also, Colonel Scott Bowers is in deep space when he suspects his girlfriend is cheating on him. With the help of a high-powered satellite and his colleagues, Captain Craig and Takashi, he is able to check on things back home. Becki Newton also stars.

Suits | 10pm on USA | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
In the premiere of this legal drama, successful lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) hires brilliant college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) as a new associate at a top law firm despite the fact that Mike doesn’t have a degree. In order to work together, both parties have to keep up the ruse to convince their coworkers that Mike is a real lawyer.

Wilfred | 10pm on FX | Series Premiere
“Happiness”
A drifting young man named Ryan (Elijah Wood) is asked to watch his neighbor’s dog, Wilfred—who looks like a dog to everyone else but appears as a man (Jason Gann) in a dog suit to Ryan—in the opener of this live-action comedy, which is adapted from an Australian series and also starred Gann as wisecracking and pot-smoking Wilfred. Ryan could use a pick-me-up: He’s supposed to begin a boring job and he just attempted suicide.

Louie | 10:30pm on FX | Season Premiere
“Pregnant”
Louie’s sister (Rusty Schwimmer) shows up unexpectedly, and with unexpected news. In stand-up segments, Louie muses on divorce and his daughters’ abilities (and lack thereof).

Also playing…

• The Real Housewives of New York City | “Sixteen and Skip the Sweet” | 10pm on Bravo
• NY Ink | “Blood is Thicker Than Ink” | 10pm on TLC
• Watch What Happens Live | “444” | 11:00pm on Bravo
• Childrens’ Hospital | “Home is Where the Hospital Is” | 11:59pm on Adult Swim

Leave a comment and let me know what you will be watching!