Mike Hughes on TV

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “The Deep End”
debut, 8 p.m., ABC.

Here's the ideal show to move into the
“Grey's Anatomy” neighborhood. It's another batch of pretty
professionals, mixing serious drama, odd humor and occasional sex.

The setting is a high-end law firm.
Some experienced pros – Billy Zane, Clancy Brown, Nicole Ari Parker
and Broadway's Norman Lee Butz – play the leaders, but the focus is
on new lawyers. They range from little Tina Majorino (trying to not
be overlooked) to towering Mehced Brooks.

Two young lawyers soon bend ethics,
allowing clients to make false assumptions. Another tackles a tough
child-custody case. In the “Grey's Anatomy” style, this is
sometimes overdone, but often fun.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE: “Burn Notice”
return, 10 p.m., USA.

Back when they were on “Cagney &
Lacey,” Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless ruled the Emmys. They won six
best-actress prizes – four for Daly, two for Gless; their show won
eight other Emmys, including two for best drama series.

Now they re-link. Early in this hour,
Gless (who plays Michael's quirky mom) coaxes key information from a
bank worker (Daly). Beyond that, “Burn” has its usual Miami
action; pretending to be a crooked driver, Michael infiltrates a gang
that scams insurance companies and intimidates a widow.

Other choices include:

– “The Big Bang Theory,” 8 and
8:30 p.m., CBS. In the first rerun, Penny must join the guys' team.
The second has some hilarious moments, when the others go to Las
Vegas; Sheldon, locked out of the apartment, ends up staying with
Penny.

– “Grey's Anatomy,” 9 p.m., ABC.
Katherine Heigl finally returns; naturally, she arrives mid-chaos.
Recovered from brain surgery, Izzie (Heigl) returns home to her
estranged husband Alex; she arrives at an inopportune moment.
Meanwhile, Derek (Patrick Dempsey) learns about the Chief's
alcoholism; he wants to take action.

– “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,”
9 p.m., CBS. During a tournament, the body of a famous golfer has
been found. The team soon probes the golf world.

– “The Office,” 9 p.m., NBC.
People try to impress a potential buyer of Dunder Mifflin.

– “30 Rock,” 9:30 p.m., NBC. To
boost morale, Liz takes the show on the road. Soon, crew members
spend their time complaining about her.

\– “The Mentalist,” 10 p.m., CBS.
Sharon Lawrence plays a mayor whose aide has been killed.

– “SoundStage,” 10 p.m., PBS
(check local listings). Tim McGraw, the country star, performs.

– “Archer,” 10 p.m., FX. There's
a personnel problem at the company – mostly because Sterling's
mistakes get his fellow spies killed. Now his mom has hired a new
agent, without really checking his resume; it's another entertaining
episode of this cartoon for grown-ups. Last week's season-openers
rerun at 10:30 and 11 p.m., with this one rerunning at 11:30.

– “Private Practice,” 10:01 p.m.,
ABC. Naomi becomes irrational after receiving bad news; Sam tries to
take charge without her.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Modern Family,”
8 and 9 p.m., ABC.

In its first season, this comedy has
been showered with praise and honors. Now we can re-visit the
terrific pilot film, then catch a new episode with some funny
moments.

The pilot centers on Jay (Ed O'Neill),
his young wife and stepson and his grown kids. Claire is arried with
three kids and off-center parenting; Mitchell and his boyfriend, in
the show's best moments, are bringing their adoptive daughter home
from Vietnam,.

The new episode has Claire confronting
a tangled TV and sound system. Also, Mitchell insists that Jay's
friend (Chazz Palminteri) is gay.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “Leverage,”
10 p.m., TNT.

Nathan Ford – the former insurance
investigator, now leading scam artists who cheat cheaters – has
always been an enigma. As played by Tim Hutton, he's precise, pained
and careful.

Now we get a glimpse of his past, via a
visit to the Irish bar that was part of his Boston boyhood. Loan
sharks are taking it … unless Nathan can intervene. It's a sharp,
intense episode and a strong showcase for Jeri Ryan, playing a
temporary colleague.

Other choices include:

– “American Idol,” 8 p.m., Fox.
Here are the auditions in Orlando, Fla., once the boy-band capital of
the world. Kristin Chenoweth, a terrific singer, is the guest judge.

– “Life Unexpected,” 8 p.m., CW.
If you missed Monday's excellent opener, here's a repeat. Britt
Robertson brings charm and grit as Lux, seeking emancipation after 16
years in foster care.

– “The New Adventures of Old
Christine,” 8 p.m., CBS. Blair Underwood is back as Mr. Harris, the
handsome teacher Christine loved. His return comes as she's falling
for Max (Eric McCormack).

– “Human Target,” 9 p.m., Fox.
This show really isn't giving public transportation a good name. The
opener had killers on a train; this one has killers on a plane.
Chance must protect a key passenger – but doesn't know which one.
It's an OK episode, with a comic boost when Chance's colleague
(played by the massive Chi McBride) reluctantly becomes a flight
attendant

– “Great Performances,” 9 p.m.,
PBS (check local listings). This documentary views the Metropolitan
Opera's competition, focusing on three tenors. Michael Fabiano is 22
and passionate; Ryan Smith is 30, with little training. Alek Shrader,
25, is tackles the imposing aria – complete with nine high C's –
that made Luciano Pavarotti a star.

– “Cougar Town,” 9:30 p.m., ABC.
Bummed about a break-up, Jules kisses her ex-husband.

– “Ugly Betty,” 10 p.m., ABC.
Living in the same apartment building as Marc and Amanda, Betty
notices that the neighbors never meet; her solution is a karaoke
party. Meanwhile, Daniel and Wilhelmina feud over who controls Marc;
Amanda hatches a scheme. Also, Betty's dad won't accept Bobby, the
father of Hilda's upcoming baby. Then things peak during a black-out.

– “Spectacle,” 10 p.m., Sundance.
This is a first-rate show any week, as Elvis Costello talks and jams
with other musicians. Tonight's hour, however, could be the peak:
Bruce Springsteen is the guest.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “White Collar”
return, 10 p.m., USA.

Here are financial people at their
cruelest, living high while bilking people of their life savings.

Viewers will root instantly for Neal
(the former con man) to help the FBI catch them. They'll also forgive
the fact that some of this happens way too easily.

There are plot twists along the way,
including a good one involving Neal's aversion to guns. It adds up to
entertaining TV, but “White Collar” has done better.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “American
Idol” (8 p.m.) and “Human Target” (9), Fox.

The second week of “Idol” auditions
starts in Chicago, with Shania Twain as guest judge.

Afterward, “Our Little Genius” was
supposed to settle into its regular time slot. That show was pulled,
however; now “Target” repeats Sunday's opener, before nudging
into its Wednesday slot.

The episode has one great scene, as a
computer whiz (Jackie Earle Haley) calmly confronts two thugs.
Mostly, it has OK scenes, with a handsome and all-knowing bodyguard
(Mark Valley) on a bullet train.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “Speak”
(2004), Lifetime.

One of the best TV movies in recent
years went mostly unnoticed. Adapting Laurie Halse Anderson's witty
book, writer-director Jessica Scharzer created a moving portrait of a
teen who simply quits talking in school, after a date rape.

Now it's getting fresh attention, for a
basic reason: Its star (Kristen Stewart) is at the core of the
“Twilight” movies. Only 14 when this film debuted, she gave a
subtly perfect performance.

Other choices include:

– “NCIS” and “NCIS: Los
Angeles,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Even these powerhouses settle for
reruns during “Idol” auditions. In the first, a blogger has been
killed – please don't try this at home – after alleging a
cover-up. In the second, the victim is a Marine who has been living
as a rich bachelor.

– “Nova,” 8 p.m., PBS (check
local listings). Sprawling across the Egyptian desert, 240 feet long
and 66 feet high, the Great Sphinx has left many questions. This
fairly interesting hour views two pharaohs – one who had it built,
another who renovated it. It dismisses some old stories – no,
Napoleon's soldiers didn't shoot off its nose – and studies the
construction method.

– “Scrubs,” 8 and 9 p.m., ABC.
First is a rerun in which the overwhelmed Lucy gets advice from
Elliot. Then a new episode finds her still frazzled, as a test nears;
also, the Drew-Denise affair hits a bump.

– “Better Off Ted,” 8:30 and 9:30
p.m., ABC. First is the rerun of a funny episode in which Ted's
daughter gathers insider information at the day care center. Then a
new episode finds Ted instantly struck by a beautiful visitor from
Germany; they communicate via the company's new translator device.

– “The Good Wife,” 10 p.m., CBS.
Alicia reluctantly agrees to a conjugal visit with her imprisoned
husband. She needs to get information about a case she's working on.

– “The Millionaire Matchmaker,”
10 p.m., Bravo. Fresh from college, Omar Soliman and Nick Friedman
launched the thriving business College Hunks Hauling Junk. Recently,
they showed up on ABC's “Shark Tank”; now matchmaker Patti
Stanger tries to find the right women for them. It isn't easy; the
guys are likable, but struggle socially.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “Life Unexpected”
debut, 9 p.m., CW.

Baze and Cate (Kristoffer Polaha and
Shiri Appleby) haven't met since high school. He has a bar, she has a
radio show, neither has a settled life.

Then their daughter shows up. Lux,
almost 16, is smart, scared, angry and immensely likable. Lives will
change; people will reluctantly grow up.

“Life Unexpected” is a terrific
surprise. Britt Robertson is superb as Lux; Appleby and Polaha are
just right. We soon care for all three; like life itself, “Life
Unexpected” has warmth, grit and humor.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “24,” 8-10
p.m., Fox.

Jack Bauer tried to retire, but failed.
An attempt to kill a key foreign leader persists; the Counter
Terrorist Unit chief (Mykelti Williamson) is absurdly dim. Jack is
needed.

He has few allies. There's Chloe and an
earnest cop (Freddie Prinze Jr.) whose fiancee (Katee Sackhoff) is a
CTU worker with a fake identity, a nasty past and a blackmailing
ex-boyfriend.

Also, Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) is
back and working undercover. She kicks energy into a story that is
below “24” standards, but better than most TV.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: “American
Character Along Highway 50,” 8 p.m., USA.

Some road trips are way too brief.
Here, Tom Brokaw stuffs an America portrait into one hour. He
glimpses towns along Highway 50, at various times in 2009.

That was in the depth of the recession,
so there's much bad news here. Maryland fishermen struggle,
small-town Ohio deals with a factory closing, small-town Nevada deals
with the collapse of the housing market. Homes near foreclosure;
families are overwhelmed by medical bills.

Brokaw also finds good news –
innovative schools in Washington, D.C. … a community medical
program in Colorado … decent people persisting. These are
interesting stories, compressed together.

Other choices include:

– “The Bachelor,” 8-10 p.m., ABC.
One woman has a Sea World date with Jake; another has an adventure
date, complete with motorcycle, helicopter and bungee jumping. Others
face something scarier: Each must do a stand-up bit in a packed
comedy club.

– “Chuck,” 8 p.m., NBC. Last
week, Devon learned that Chuck (his wife's brother) is a reluctant
spy. Now he's been kidnapped by a villain (Angie Harmon) who's tough
enough to beat Sarah. There are silly moments, but it's fun to see
the heroic-looking Devon overwhelmed by Chuck's world. We also meet a
new spy, played with unswerving intensity by Brandon Routh, whose
movie (the 2006 “Superman Returns”) airs at 8 p.m. today on AMC.

– “How I Met Your Mother,” 8
p.m., CBS. Marshall insists that a beautiful co-worker (Amanda Peet)
kissed him. His wife Lily won't believe him.

– “Two and a Half Men,” 9 p.m.,
CBS. Charlie will do anything to avoid Chelsea's parents (Stacy Keach
and Meagen Fay). That may not be possible.

– “The Big Bang Theory,” 9:30
p.m., CBS. After a break-in at their apartment, Sheldon and Leonard
work on a state-of-the-art security system.

– “The Buried Life” debut, 10
p.m., MTV. Four breezy young Canadians have drawn up a list of things
they've always wanted to do. Some are whimsical – tonight, they try
to crash a party at the Playboy mansion – some not. Along the way,
this likable series also has them help strangers.

– “Castle,” 10:01 p.m., ABC. A
new case seems to tie into international drug-smuggling and an
infomercial star. More importantly, it may tie into the long-ago
murder of Kate's mother.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: “24”
season-opener, 9 and 10 p.m., Fox.

For a micro-moment, Jack Bauer relaxes
with his granddaughter Then an informant arrives; Jack must try to
stop the assassination of a foreign leader who's crucial to world
peace.

There are many things wrong with the
season's first four hours (continuing Monday). The story is
stop-and-go, not terribly taut. It has an absurd portrayal of an
anti-terrorist leader; as played by Mykelti Williamson, he's a dense
lunkhead. And, as usual, it quickly gets to torture.

Still, this is “24.” It has big
stakes, sharp editing, great supporting actors (Katee Sackhoff, Annie
Wersching, Freddie Prinze Jr.) and strong stars.

TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE II: “Golden
Globes,” 8-11 p.m. ET, with red-carpet preview at 7, NBC.

The good news is that Ricky Gervais,
creator and star of the original “The Office,” is the host. That
brings some wit to a show that's mostly known for pretty people in
great clothes.

Unlike the Academy Awards, this splits
into two categories. Sandra Bullock has an acting nomination in each
– comedy (“The Proposal”) and drama (“The Blind Side”);
Meryl Streep has two in comedy, for “Julie & Julia” and “It's
Complicated.”

There's TV, too. Two new comedies
(“Glee” and “Modern Family”) join “30 Rock,” “The
Office” and “Entourage.” Dramas are “House,” “Mad Men,”
“True Blood,” “Dexter” and “Big Love.”

Other choices include:

– Football, 1 p.m. ET, Fox, and 4:40
p.m. ET, CBS. The first game has the Dallas Cowboys at the Minnesota
Vikings; the second has the New York Jets at the San Diego Chargers.
The winners will be one step from reaching the Super Bowl.

– “Human Target” debut, 8 p.m.,
Fox. Mark Valley plays a bodyguard who seems to know – well,
everything. The opener has lots of slam-bang action on a bullet
train, with so-so results. There's one great scene, however, in which
a computer geek (Jackie Earle Haley) faces down two thugs; at that
point, “Human Target” offers a hint of human appeal.

– “Nature,” 8 p.m., PBS (check
local listings). When wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone Park,
a fierce conflict was set up. Beautifully filmed, this hour views the
collision of grizzly bears and wolves.

– “Masterpiece Theatre,” 9-10:30
p.m., PBS (check local listings). Here's the second half of the
terrific “Return to Cranford.” With a railroad and new money
coming, the people in this tiny village deal with love, change and
embezzlement.

– “Desperate Housewives,” 9 p.m.,
ABC. Katherine is back, seeing a psychiatrist. Meanwhile, Tom and
Lynette may see a therapist; they've been feuding since he took her
job after she had pregnancy complications. Also, Susan and Gabrielle
want their kids to be in the school's smartest group.

– “Big Love,” 9 p.m., HBO. Now
that everyone knows Roman Grant is dead, Bill could become the next
prophet, running the compound. Instead, he considers a run for the
U.S. Senate.