Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Wednesday, September 21, 2011

And the shows keep coming!

Yes, tonight has many options, whether you want comedy (THE MIDDLE, MODERN FAMILY, UP ALL NIGHT), drama (REVENGE, CRIMINAL MINDS, CSI), reality (THE X FACTOR, SURVIVOR) – and there’s much more where that came from! Keep reading for the rest of the lineup!

The X Factor | 8pm on Fox | Series Premiere
“Auditions #1”
THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger traveled the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Hosted by Steve Jones, the series premiere of THE X FACTOR will showcase the live auditions from Los Angeles and Seattle which took place in front of audiences of thousands. Don’t miss the auditions that will have everyone talking the next day. [Will you be tuning in to the highly anticipated new reality show? And don’t forget to check out Simon, Paula, L.A., Nicole, and Steve’s reactions to the world premiere!]

The Middle | 8pm on ABC | Special One-Hour Season Premiere
“Forced Family Fun, Parts 1 and 2”
With school about to start in a few days, Frankie realizes that she and Mike have barely spent time together with the kids over the summer, so she insists that they take a short family vacation. But when Mike decides that the perfect family getaway is a camping trip, memories of their campsite honeymoon 19 years earlier — which was ruined by Nicky, a sad-sack former high school acquaintance of Mike’s — come flashing back.

Up All Night | 8pm on NBC | Timeslot Premiere
“Cool Neighbors”
When a “cool” new couple moves in across the street, Reagan and become obsessed with finding out every detail about them. Elsewhere, Ava struggles with the fact that baby Amy does not like her, especially when she takes a liking to Calvin.

H8R | 8pm on The CW
“Episode 2”
Mario Lopez hosts this new reality series in which celebrities will go head-to-head with real people who don’t like them and try to win them over.

Free Agents | 8:30pm on NBC | Timeslot Premiere
“What I Did For Work”
When a big client shows signs of leaving Hale Dayton, Alex is charged with taking him out for an evening of entertainment. But when Alex realizes he’s still a bit rusty with women, he calls in Dan and Gregg for assistance and things don’t go exactly as planned. Meanwhile, Emma has set her sights on Andrew, who works upstairs in the building. With the help of Helen and Walter, she tries to turn on the charm.

SO MUCH MORE…

Modern Family | 9pm on ABC | Special One-Hour Season Premiere
“Dude Ranch/When Good Kids Go Bad”
“Modern Family” returns for its third season with a special one-hour episode. In the first part of the hour, our favorite family decide to don their cow boots and hats and head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for some fun and adventure in the great outdoors. While vacationing on Lost Creek Ranch, they try their hands at a little cattle herding, skeet shooting and horseback riding; there are also some big firsts, a huge surprise and an actual face off between Jay and a foe – a cowboy named Hank! In the second half of the hour, Mitch and Cam plan a nice evening with the whole family to break the happy news that they’re looking to adopt another child. However their parade is rained on when they realize Lily may not take well to another baby in the house. Meanwhile, Claire and Jay are each consumed with proving a certain point. [Congrats to MODERN FAMILY on their Emmy wins! Are you as interested as I am to see the new baby Lily and to find out whether Cam and Mitch will be adopting another child?]

Harry’s Law | 9pm on NBC | Season Premiere
“Hosanna Roseanna”
Harry, against her better judgment, agrees to defend Eric Sanders, a man accused of savagely killing his wife. She takes the case at the request of Oliver Richard – a hot-shot attorney from the very firm that fired her the previous year. The extremely high-profile case brings Harry toe-to-toe with the head honcho herself, D.A. Roseanna Remmick. Meanwhile, new associate Cassie Reynolds represents an artist whose painting was unceremoniously altered by the purchaser. Elsewhere, Tommy Jefferson, forces his way into sharing Harry’s new office space and pursues a box store giant, vying to be their local counsel in a huge class action lawsuit.

Criminal Minds | 9pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“It Takes a Village”
The BAU team is at a crossroads as they are questioned by a Senate Committee for their retaliatory actions in the wake of Prentiss’ loss, but an unexpected familiar face could help them win their case and keep the team together. [Have you seen what Matthew Gray Gubler had to tease about the season?]

America’s Next Top Model: All-Stars | 9pm on The CW
“Ashlee Simpson”
After a shocking first elimination, the girls step up their game. As the tension mounts and catfights begin, alliances are made in the house between the women. The All-Stars receive make-overs and many of them melt down during the process. During a challenge and photo shoot about branding, the women must create a new hot dog for the world-famous Pink’s restaurant. Andre Leon Tally and Nigel Barker join guest judge Ashlee Simpson and Tyra Banks on the judges’ panel for the second elimination.

Law & Order: SVU | 10pm on NBC | Season Premiere
“Scorched Earth”
The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Bureau Chief Mike Cutter and ADA Alex Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid’s credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct. [Anxious to see how SVU will handle the fact that Christopher Meloni (Det. Stabler) left? Can’t wait to see new cast members?]

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | 10pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“73 Seconds”
Multiple shootings and stabbings on a public tram leave the CSI team with one witness and a lot of questions. [Don’t forget Ted Danson joins the cast tonight as a new lab supervisor!]

Revenge | 10pm on ABC | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
In the premiere episode, Emily returns to Southampton and rents the seaside home she shared with her father, David Clarke, 17 years ago. With the help of her only friend, Ashley, she sets her sites on her first target, and puts her carefully organized plan in motion. Her focus unexpectedly wavers when she comes across Jack, a friendly face from the past, makes a new romantic connection with the son of her sworn enemy, and is pushed into an uneasy alliance with the only person who knows her secret.

Top Chef: Just Desserts | 10pm on Bravo
“Make a Splash”
The contestants create, name and package their own candy bar. In the second sweet heat, the chefs make waves at a water park by serving up frozen treats. Pastry chef Pichet Ong serves as guest judge.

Also playing…

• Survivor | 8pm on CBS | “He Has Demons”
• Toddlers and Tiaras | 10pm on CBS | Summer Season Finale: “Storybook Pagaent”

What will you be watching?