Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The premieres of BEN AND KATE and THE MINDY PROJECT may have been online for weeks, but it’s finally time for their official Fox debuts. Also, NEW GIRL returns, and ABC/CBS get back in the mix, too.

Take a look at all of your options!

The Voice | 8pm on NBC
“Blind Auditions Continued”
Carson Daly (“Last Call with Carson Daly”) hosts week three of the vocal competition series, featuring an exciting array of talented vocalists as they compete to be selected by one of the coaches and fight for a chance at an opportunity to win the title of being named “The Voice.”

Dancing with the Stars | 8pm on ABC
“Episode 1501A”
The night will kick off with live interviews with Tom and the cast, offering an in-depth look at why each celeb has decided to return for another chance at winning the coveted mirror ball trophy. Global superstars Justin Bieber and Pitbull will hit the stage for unforgettable musical performances. Also during Tuesday night’s show, we will have a spectacular opening number featuring all the pro dancers of the season and The Troupe to a medley of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody/Dance Again,” choreographed by Jason Gilkison. The Troupe will return later that night to perform a number to “Go Get It,” which is also choreographed by Jason Gilkison. And before night’s end, the season’s first couple will be eliminated from the show.

New Girl | 8pm and 9pm on Fox | Season Premiere/Special Time
“Re-launch”/”Katie”
Schmidt throws himself a “rebranding” party at which Jess, recently fired from her teaching job, volunteers to be a “shot girl,” alongside a very jaded cocktail waitress (guest star Parker Posey). Meanwhile, Winston shows a different side of his personality after drinking some of Nick’s fruity concoctions, and Cece introduces the gang to her new boyfriend (guest star Nelson Franklin).

Later, mistaken identity abounds as Jess inadvertently captures the attention of a beer delivery guy (guest star Josh Gad) and then pretends to be someone else when a handsome stranger (guest star David Walton) thinks she is his blind date. Then, a regular at Nick’s bar (guest star Raymond J. Barry) claims to be Nick from the future, and Winston’s disapproving mother (guest star Anna Maria Horsford) comes to visit, all the while maintaining her hatred of Schmidt.

NCIS | 8pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“Extreme Prejudice”
Harper Dearing’s latest act of terrorism ripped through NCIS headquarters in last season’s cliffhanger finale, sparking a cross-agency manhunt for the criminal mastermind.

Ben and Kate | 8:30pm on Fox | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
Exuberant dreamer BEN FOX (Nat Faxon) returns to his hometown and reunites with his younger sister KATE (Dakota Johnson), an overly responsible single mom raising her five-year-old daughter, MADDIE (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). But when he arrives, he finds a sad state of affairs. For the first time in their lives, Kate needs Ben’s help, and he’s determined to bring some much-needed chaos into her stable world. In the series premiere, Kate enlists co-worker BJ (Lucy Punch) to help her prepare for what turns out to be a disastrous first date, while Ben teams up with childhood pal TOMMY (Echo Kellum) to stop an ex from getting married.

So much more. Keep reading…

Go On | 9pm on NBC
“Bench-Clearing Bawl”
Ryan (Matthew Perry) is thrilled to be accepted into Jeremy Roenick’s hockey game – a game he has been trying to play in for ten years. Unbeknownst to Ryan, he’s been invited out of sympathy. Meanwhile, the group creates collages in an exercise that Ryan blows off, and Anne (Julie White), hesitant on attending a lesbian wedding agrees to bring Ryan as her plus one. Laura Benanti, Tyler James Williams, Suzy Nakamura and Brett Gelman also star.

NCIS: LA | 9pm on CBS | Season Premiere
“Endgame”
Following Callen’s public shooting of the Chameleon on last season’s finale cliffhanger, all is not well with the NCIS: LA team, as Callen is placed on suspension and Hetty adjusts to retired life.

The Mindy Project | 9:30pm on Fox | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
When we first see Dr. Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling), she is drunk and disorderly after an epic toast at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. But the incident is a rude awakening and this hopeless romantic vows to make some drastic changes to get her personal and professional life back on track.

The New Normal | 9:30pm on NBC
“Obama Mama”
Shania (Bebe Wood) is looking forward to her school’s upcoming mock election, but shocks Bryan (Andrew Rannells) and David (Justin Bartha) when she tells them she will be voting for Obama, unlike her mother. Much to the dismay of hard core Republican Jane (Ellen Barkin) the boys begin a campaign to change Goldie’s (Georgia King) all important vote. Later, they throw a party to show Jane they have a diverse group of friends. NeNe Leakes also stars.

Private Practice | 10pm on ABC | Season Premiere
“Aftershock”
Addison settles into her new life after making a decision between Jake and Sam; Violet fears the worst when Pete doesn’t show up to his preliminary court hearing; and Charlotte swears Cooper to secrecy when she receives shocking news. Meanwhile, Amelia celebrates one year of sobriety and Sheldon rekindles a romance with his ex-wife.

Parenthood | 10pm on NBC
“Everything is Not Okay”
Kristina (Monica Potter) and Adam (Peter Krause) cope with emotional news and turn to family and new friends for support. Meanwhile, Zeek’s (Craig T. Nelson) behavior with his grandchildren triggers doubts concerning his health and Sarah (Lauren Graham) confronts her new boss (Guest Star Ray Romano) and receives an unexpected outcome. Also, Max (Max Burkholder) attempts to adapt to a new school, but may lose his only friend in the process. Also starring Sam Jaeger, Erika Christensen, Mae Whitman, Savannah Paige Rae, Joy Bryant, Tyree Brown, Bonnie Bedelia and Xolo Mariduena.

Vegas | 10:01pm on NBC | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
VEGAS is a drama inspired by the true story of former Las Vegas Sheriff Ralph Lamb, a fourth-generation rancher tasked with bringing order to Las Vegas in the 1960s, a gambling and entertainment mecca emerging from the tumbleweeds. Ralph Lamb wants to be left in peace to run his ranch, but Las Vegas is now swelling with outsiders and corruption which are intruding on his simple life. Recalling Lamb’s command as a military police officer during World War II, the Mayor appeals to his sense of duty to look into a murder of a casino worker – and so begins Lamb’s clash with Vincent Savino, a ruthless Chicago gangster who plans to make Vegas his own. Assisting Lamb in keeping law and order are his two deputies: his diplomatic, even-keeled brother Jack and his charming but impulsive son Dixon. Ambitious Assistant District Attorney Katherine O’Connell, who grew up on the ranch next to the Lambs, also lends a hand in preserving justice. In Vegas, two powerful men – Lamb and Savino – are engaged in a fierce battle for control of the budding oasis, and for both of them, folding is not an option.

Also playing…

• Face Off | “Dishonorable Proportions” | 9pm on Syfy
• Sons of Anarchy | “Laying Pipe” | 10pm on FX

What will you be tuning in to?