What’s on TV this week

By Alex Wright | September 16, 2009

Does the Fall TV lineup have you overwhelmed about which shows to watch, when to watch them, and on what channel?  The Entertainer’s broken down what’s premiering on the major networks for the next few days, to help you get through the new Fall lineup one week at a time:

The Biggest Loser (NBC)

The hit reality show returned for its 8^th season last night, focusing on “second chances”.  Among the contestants are a firefighter whose size has put his job and health in jeopardy, and a mother whose weight has hindered her ability to bear children.   Last season contestant Daniel Wright also returned, for a second chance to compete in the challenge.

Wednesday, September 16

9 PM:

The Beautiful Life (CW) *NEW*

The CW’s new drama looks into the lives of high-fashion models, centered around industry newcomers Raina Mayer (Sara Paxton) and Chris Andrews (Benjamin Hollingsworth) as they make their way up the fashion ladder.  Lending a hand with their experience—or causing more drama—are veteran model Sonja Stone (Mischa Barton) and agency boss and former supermodel Claudia Foster (Elle Macpherson).

For Thursdays lineup,

Thursday, September 17

8 PM:

Bones (FOX)

The forensic crime drama that has captured viewers with its dark humor is back for a fifth season.  While the mysteries that Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) solve are interesting, fans are much more interested in the brewing romantic tension between the forensic anthropologist and the FBI agent.

Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday (NBC)

The satirical news show, which gained much praise when it debuted last November during the presidential campaign, makes its return as a regular in NBC’s fall lineup.  The program, which revolves around Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” will be anchored by Seth Meyers, who also serves as the show’s head writer.  Meyers will be accompanied by co-anchor Amy Poehler for this week’s episode, which kicks off the network’s critically acclaimed comedy lineup.

Survivor: Samoa (CBS)

Yes, the show is still on.  This season, the reality show takes to the beaches of Samoa, where 20 castaways will battle to be the last one standing.  Among the contestants are a rocket scientist, a mixologist, and Monica, a recent graduate from San Diego’s Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

8:30 PM:

Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and her colleagues at the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, are back for a second season.  NBC’s newest mockumentary follows the department employees as they navigate the bureaucratic ins and outs of local government.

9:00 PM:

Fringe (FOX)

The second season of the sci-fi drama, which has been well received by critics and audiences alike, picks up where it left off, with Special Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Tory) in a parallel universe where 9/11 did not occur.  The show continues to follow Dunham and the rest of the FBI’s Fringe Division, “mad scientist” Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson), as they investigate “the Pattern”, which is responsible for many unexplained, terrifying phenomena occurring worldwide.

The Office (NBC)

If you don’t already know, this mockumentary chronicling mundane life at Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company begins season six with unqualified Regional Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) desperately trying to include himself in office gossip.

9:30 PM:

Community (NBC) *NEW*

Rounding out NBC’s Thursday night comedy lineup is this new series about students at Greendale Community college.  The show focuses on suspended lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), who must go back to school to receive the proper credentials to practice law.  While there, he meets a motley group of fellow students.

There you have it.  Being a couch potato has never been easier.