1) “DMV” debut, 8:30 p.m. today, CBS. The CBS season finally begins, with lots of season-openers and a few new shows — starting with this comedy. In the “Superstore” style, it finds fun with the Department of Motor Vehicles patrons — an entitled jerk, a scary driver, a clueless oldster — and the likable staff, shown here with sweet Colette (Harriet Dyer) eyeing the newcomer (Alex Tarrant).
2) “Sheriff Country” and “Boston Blue” debuts, 9 and 10 p.m. Friday, CBS. Yes, CBS loves spin-offs. Bode’s aunt (from “Fire Country”) and Danny (from “Blue Bloods”) get their own shows. Both openers are overcrowded, wedging in too many characters; that gets worse next week. But “Boston Blue” is also a well-crafted blend of family warmth and police fury.
3) “Abbott Elementary,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABC. “Abbott” has had other episodes in iconic Philadelphia settings, but not like this: On Aug. 28, the actors were filmed during an actual Phillies game. It turned out to be a big one, with Kyle Schwarber hitting four home runs. Weaved into that was a story about “Teachers Appreciation Night.”
4) “TV We Love” debut, 8 p.m. today, CW. “I Love Lucy” arrived in 1951, when TV was still primitive. Perfecting the concept of filming with a studio audience, it had Lucille Ball’s sight-gag brilliance. This hour goes overboard at times, making us think she and Desi Arnaz did it all themselves and never broke up. But it has enough great clips to keep us entertained.
5) “American Masters,” 9 p.m. Tuesday, PBS. Marlee Matlin’s career started hot. She was was the youngest best-actress Oscar winner, at 21, and the first deaf winner. She began a torrid and toxic romance. Then she settled in — a long acting career, a long marriage, more. This film starts poorly (34 minutes before the chronology begins) and becomes compelling.
6) “English Teacher” season-finale, 9 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, FX, rerunning at 10 and 10:30. The first season was pretty good, but this second one has been much better. It ends with two big moments — an overnight “lockdown,” when students get out of hand, and a graduation ceremony with an iffy speaker. It even leaves us with a neat cliffhanger.
7) “Elsbeth,” 10 p.m., Thursday, CBS. After opening its season Sunday with a fairly good episode, this moves into its regular spot for a great one. The set-up is lame, but the result — Elsbeth in a toy store with a bumbling gunman — is hilarious. That’s preceded at 9 by the season’s second “Matlock” hour — a strong one that re-sets the show’s tone for this season.
8) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m. Saturday, NBC. Sabrina Carpenter has her first turn as host and her second as music guest. Last season, only three people — Charlie XCX, Timothee Chalamet, Lady Gaga — did both; even Ariana Grande had someone else do music… as did Bad Bunny this season. Now Carpenter, 26, with two No. 1 albums, has her chance.
9) “The Road” debut, 9-10:30 p.m. Sunday, CBS. A dozen emerging country singers face a tough task — sing one song apiece, before a rowdy crowd waiting to hear Keith Urban. Fortunately, these people — ages 23 to 49 — are gifted singers and songwriters. Our only gripe is that we hear only snippets, not allowing musical storytelling to unfold. Still, it’s a great start.
10) STREAMING: Just after his “Last Frontier” began on Apple TV+, Jason Clarke plays Alex Murdaugh on Hulu; the first three episodes are Wednesday. It’s an eight-part true-crime tale … as is a John Wayne Gacy film, starting Thursday on Peacock. Season openers are “Solar Opposites” (Monday, Hulu), “Loot” (Wednesday, Apple) and “The Diplomat” (Thursday, Netflix).