Thursday 22
“Everybody Hates Chris” (KASY-50 7 p.m.) Comedian Chris Rock narrates this promising sitcom about his troubled childhood.
“Criminal Minds” (KRQE-13 9 p.m.) An elite squad of FBI investigators (including Mandy Patinkin and “Dharma & Greg”'s Thomas Gibson) hunt down America's deadliest criminals. … Why are all TV detectives part of an “elite squad” charged with hunting down “America's deadliest criminals”?
Friday 23
“Ghost Whisperer” (KRQE-13 7 p.m.) A newlywed (Jennifer Love Hewitt) discovers she has the ability to talk to dead people. Perfect for people who love “Medium,” but just don't think Patricia Arquette is hot enough.
“Killer Instinct” (KASA-2 8 p.m.) An elite squad of S.F.P.D. investigators … See what I mean?
“Inconceivable” (KOB-4 9 p.m.) NBC's new medical drama at least manages to trade the ER for a slightly different setting–a fertility clinic.
Saturday 24
Path of Destruction (Sci-Fi 7 p.m.) Over at the Sci-Fi Channel, they like their monsters plus-sized: gigantic komodo dragons, gigantic squids, gigantic spiders, gigantic snakes. Tonight, however, they're getting small. In this Sci-Fi Original, a team of reporters and scientists battle a “storm” of microscopic nanotech robots. As a bonus, it stars Danica McKellar–for all of you who wondered what the heck happened to Winnie from “The Wonder Years.”
Sunday 25
Martha Behind Bars (KRQE-13 8 p.m.) Are you currently gripped by Martha Fever? Can you not wait to see all the juicy details of what when on behind the walls of Martha Stewart's prison stay? It's all here: the light work detail, the sitting and reading, the eating in the cafeteria. Cybill Shepherd stars, once again, as the televisual domestic goddess.
“Extras” (HBO 11:30 p.m.) BBC star Ricky Gervais (creator, writer and star of “The Office”) finally returns with a follow-up series. This six-part sitcom follows the life of Andy Millman (Gervais) an unsuccessful, middle-aged actor who spends his days standing in the background behind famous actors (like Ben Stiller and Kate Winslet).
Monday 26
“American Masters” (KNME-5 9 p.m.) Martin Scorsese gets back to his documentary roots with a two-night telefilm titled Bob Dylan: No Direction Home. The film chronicles Dylan's early childhood as well as his life on the road.
Tuesday 27
“Commander in Chief” (KOAT-7 8 p.m.) I would find fault with this “West Wing”-ish drama in which Geena Davis (Earth Girls are Easy) suddenly finds herself president of the United States. But as we all know, we're not allowed to criticize the president.
“Sex, Love and Secrets” (KASY-50 8 p.m.) Well, I guess you pretty much know what you're getting in this bluntly titled nighttime soap set in L.A.'s trendy Silverlake district and starring Denise Richards (the almost-but-maybe-not-ex-Mrs. Charlie Sheen).
Wednesday 28
“Veronica Mars” (KASY-50 ?) Criminally overlooked but suddenly hip, this season of UPN's girl detective series will feature guest appearances by the likes of celebrity fans Joss Whedon (creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and Kevin Smith (the man behind Clerks).