Feast on Fall on TV

The 2007-2008 Writer’s Strike got your TV schedule all in a twist? Then read on to find out when your favorite shows come back for the first full fall season since the strike.

By KATIE URBASZEWSKIManaging Editor”30 Rock,” NBC, Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.Recently known as the woman who does Sarah Palin better than Sarah Palin, Tina Fey will be back as her regular character, Liz Lemon, Oct. 30 in the season premiere of Emmy-award winning “30 Rock”. See how Liz’s decision to adopt a child plays out in season three.Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at [email protected].

By CHRIS JENNINGSCopy Editor”Brothers & Sisters,” ABC, Sundays at 9 p.m.If you crave a nighttime family and political soap, this show is for you. Last season, Kevin and Scotty got married, Robert and Kitty planned to try in vitro fertilization, Justin and Rebecca gave in to their budding chemistry upon discovering they were not half-siblings and Nora found out there is another illegitimate Walker.Chris Jennings can be reached at [email protected].

By JAUNE JACKSONSenior Staff Writer”Desperate Housewives,” ABC, Sundays at 8 p.m.Last season, the ladies of Wisteria Lane reconnected with an old neighbor, Katharine Mayfair, whose daughter had no recollection of their past life on Wisteria Lane. A Chicago gay couple moved into Betty Applewhite’s old house and helped Susan, who’s expecting her first child with husband-at-last, Mike. Edie tried to save her relationship with Carlos, who had an affair with his ex-wife, Gabrielle. Lynette is coping with cancer, and Bree faked a pregnancy to hide her teenage daughter’s pregnancy. Jaune Jackson can be reached at [email protected].

By JUSTIN TEMPLETAssistant News Editor”Samantha Who?,” ABC, Mondays at 8:30 p.m.”Samantha Who?” is the question that Samantha Newly must ask herself each morning after suffering retrograde amnesia. She discovered that the “Old Sam” wasn’t an angel and strives to improve herself. At the end of last season, she quit her real estate job in search of a more fulfilling career. She also rekindled things with her ex, Todd, and is rumored to be moving in with him this season.Justin Templet can be reached at [email protected].

By BRIANA PREVOSTLife & Times Editor”Scrubs,” ABC, Tuesdays at 8 p.m.The last fans remember of “Scrubs” is waiting in anticipation to find out if Bill Lawrence’s masterpiece was cancelled. But after watching Dr. Kelso being forced to retire from Sacred Heart leaving J.D., Turk, Eliot, Carla and the gang with no chief of medicine, ABC decided to pick up the show as a mid-season replacement on its network for 18 new episodes.

“Heroes,” NBC, Mondays at 8 p.m.The last time audiences were able to enjoy “Heroes” was nine months ago when Nikki was trapped in a burning building, Nathan was shot and Sylar got his powers back. Scary. And now “Heroes” picks up from their writer’s strike hiatus four years into the future to explore the villainous side to us all.

“Dancing With the Stars,” ABC, Mondays at 7 p.m. and Tuesdays at 8 p.m.”Dancing With the Stars” is back and with more competitors than ever. This season brings a new line-up of 13 couples including Lance Bass, Kim Kardashian (and her behind), Jeffery Ross, Toni Braxton, Brooke Burke, Rocco Dispirito, Warren Sapp, Cloris Leachman, Cody Linely, Maurice Greene, Misty May-Treanor, Ted McGinley and Susan Lucci. Who will you root for?Briana Prevost can be reached at [email protected].

By RITA WESTAssistant Life & Times Editor”America’s Next Top Model,” The CW, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Cycle 11 of “America’s Next Top Model” kicked off Sept. 24 on The CW. Last season closed when Whitney Thompson won the competition, making her the first plus-sized model to win. This season the show returns from Los Angeles to New York with 14 contestants competing for modeling contracts and cover shoots.

“CSI: Miami,” CBS, Mondays at 9 p.m.”CSI: Miami” is back on the scene with new investigations. Last season ended after Horatio Caine, head forensic investigator, learned he was a father was shot. Consequently, his investigative team is ready to apply their cutting-edge forensic methods to find Horatio’s shooter.

“Private Practice,” ABC, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. “Private Practice” continues on by “doctoring” up hidden secrets and personal wounds concealed by the show’s chic physicians. Addison Forbes Montgomery, a renowned surgeon, moved to Santa Monica, Calif., for a fresh start to work at the co-op with her two friends from medical school. This season, hidden secrets and financial problems cause suspicion among the doctors.

“Smallville,” The CW, Thursdays at 7 p.m. Kicking off its eighth season, “Smallville,” a Superman spin-off, left off last season with a confrontation between Clark Kent and his nemesis Lex Luther. Lana Lang, Clark’s love interest, moved away and permanently cut off all communication so she wouldn’t distract him. This season, Clark lands a new job as a reporter for “The Daily Planet” and a new love interest.

“House,” Fox, Tuesdays at 7 p.m.With his original diagnostic team graduated to other duties, Dr. Gregory House got a whole new team of physicians. Last season ended when House and Amber, Wilson’s girlfriend, were involved in a serious bus accident together. Wilson blamed House for Amber’s death, and this season begins with attempted reconciliation and remembrance of events. Rita West can be reached at [email protected].

By JOHN ADAMSStaff Writer”Gossip Girl,” The CW, Mondays at 7 p.m.Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of the Manhattan elite. When we last left off, Dan and Serena had officially broken up, and Chuck and Blair just started hooking up. Now after a hot summer in the Hamptons, Nate is dating the stepmother of Blair’s new boyfriend, Dan and Serena are on-again-off-again, and Chuck is using his conniving ways to get back with Blair. With school back in session, things are just starting to heat up. You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

“Grey’s Anatomy,” ABC, Thursdays at 8 p.m. Finally, the Thursday night Grey’s void is filled. Last season left us with an ending full of different kisses: a sad one with Izzie and Alex, a lesbian kiss between Callie and Hahn, an awkward one between George and Lexie and the sweetest one between Meredith and McDreamy. Looks like the drama at Seattle Grace is not stopping this season, and Christina will finally be getting some after being left at the altar by Dr. Burke.

“90210,” The CW, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Only eight years after the original “Beverly Hills 90210” aired, the CW has created a new show based off the original that will fill the rich California drama void left by “The O.C.” “90210” is about a family that moves back to Beverly Hills, Calif., from Kansas after their dad gets the principal job at his alma mater, West Beverly High. This new creation brings both old and new drama.

“Ugly Betty,” ABC, Thursdays at 7 p.m.Last season left Betty with a packed bag and a ticket in hand. But where was she going? To Rome on a romantic holiday with Gio, or did she say yes to Henry’s marriage proposal? With production now in New York, expect more guest stars and on location shooting. Also we learn the past of Daniel’s new mystery son.

“Prison Break,” Fox, Mondays at 8 p.m.After successfully breaking Whistler out of Sona at the end of last season, Michael and the gang are now working for the government to help bring down The Company. Using “Oceans Eleven” style plans they are trying to get a hold of Scylla, the Company’s little black book. The season opener presented the most gasp worthy moment of the fall season: the return of the presumably beheaded Dr. Sara Tancredi.

“Pushing Daisies,” ABC, Wednesdays at 7 p.m.After the writer’s strike, this show was able to avoid the magical touch of its main character. Although last season was cut short, we still learned that Chuck’s mother is not dead, but in fact one of her aunts who devoted her life to raising Chuck.

“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” ABC, Thursdays at 8 p.m.Last season brought an end to one of the original crime scene investigators, Warrick. This season his death momentarily brings back Grissom’s lover Sara Sidle. It also brings the departure of Gil as the head of the laboratory with Laurence Fishburne coming in to take over.John Adams can be reached at [email protected].

By MEG AUCOINGraphics Editor”Lipstick Jungle,” NBC, Wednesdays at 9 p.m.

“Lipstick Jungle” features Brooke Shields as Wendy, a high-powered movie editor who can not make it through a day without talking to her best friends Nico and Victory. Last season, Nico, the editor of a magazine, had an affair with her young assistant, and Victory, a fashion designer, attempted to save her clothing line. This season’s opening will leave fans wondering if Wendy’s previous will nanny write a career-ending, tell-all novel, if Victory will ever realize that her best clothing designs have been stolen by her ruthless assistant and if Nico will continue to juggle her husband with her young lover.

“Two and a Half Men,” CBS, Mondays at 8 p.m.Brothers Charlie and Alan take on new challenges with love, family affairs and, of course, Alan’s son, Jake. Last season ended when Charlie and Alan’s mother Evelyn’s dead husband and Charlie’s ex-fiancé were found to be secret lovers and con artists. The show picks up when Charlie runs into an ex from a relationship nine years earlier, and her eight-year-old son has a strong resemblance to Charlie.

“How I Met Your Mother, CBS, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. After Ted’s friend Marshall proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Lily, Ted felt pressured to also find true love. The show concluded as Ted proposed to his girlfriend, Stella, after experiencing a “near death experience.” His best friend Barney was then hit by a bus and left in a full-body cast. This season resumes as Ted realizes he might not know his bride-to-be as well as he thought, and therefore begins to test their compatibility.

Meg Aucoin can be reached at [email protected].

Katie Urbaszewski, Chris Jennings, Jaune Jackson, Justin Templet, Rita West, John Adams, Meg Aucoin contributed to this story.