Rueben's Ramblings

Over the last two weeks, I have posted “what to watch” recommendation lists for new and returning shows now that the fall season has started. The difference with this week’s recommendation list is that September 20 to September 26 is the major premiere week for all of the networks. What does that mean for viewers? Easy answer: An overload of programming choices for the coming week.

So, let’s get started with my recommendations for this coming week, starting with the following:

Monday, September 20:

You can watch the debut of the remake of the perennial classic Hawaii Five-0 on CBS at 10 PM, which stars Alex O’Loughlin (Moonlight and Three Rivers), Scott Caan (Ocean’s Eleven), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) as the elite task force that probes high-level crimes on the island.

Or, you can get in on the third season of Castle, which will be back on ABC at 10 PM. Beckett and the boys haven’t heard from Castle even though he said he would be back in the fall. Once they do find him, though, they arrest him at a murder scene, holding a gun.

Then, there is the premiere of the new FOX drama Lone Star at 9 PM, which follows the life of one man – a con man, leading two lives working on the “perfect” con. The series stars newcomers James Wolk and Eloise Mumford as well as Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights), Mark Deklin (Riverworld), Bryce Johnson (Popular and Pretty Little Liars), Jon Voight and David Keith.

NBC has a full night of premieres with the return of Chuck for its fourth season at 8 PM followed by the debuts of the network’s two new dramas The Event and Chase at 9 and 10 PM respectively. The Event is a multi-layered conspiracy-heavy series starring (among others) Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia), Blair Underwood, Laura Innes (ER) and Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls). Chase follows a crack team of U.S. marshals who track down some of the most dangerous felons in the country. The series stars Kelli Giddish (Past Life), Cole Hauser (K-Ville), Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break) and Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives).

Tuesday, September 21:

The popular musicomedy Glee will return for its second season on FOX at 8 PM with New Directions and their teacher Will Schuester working to comeback from their loss at regionals while dealing with budget cuts at school and a new nemesis: the new female football coach.

Meanwhile, over on Syfy the second part of the two-part finale of Warehouse 13 will air at 9 PM. What will befall Myka, Pete, Artie and Claudia and the warehouse this time around?

Also, NCIS will be back for its 8th season on CBS at 9 PM, delving into what happens when the Reynosa cartel aims to hurt those for whom Gibbs (Mark Harmon) holds most dear. And with that, will the Reynosa siblings survive once Gibbs and his team as well as Mike Franks go after them both.

Wednesday, September 22:

The new NBC drama Undercovers will debut at 8 PM. The series is about happily married Steven and Samantha Bloom, who run a small catering company, but have a secret: they are former spies who are called back into service to save a former friend and fellow spy who has gone missing.

ABC will also debut its new series The Whole Truth at 10 PM, starring Rob Morrow (Numb3rs) and Maura Tierney (ER) in a legal drama covering both sides of the law: the prosecution and the defense.

Thursday, September 23:

The 6th season of Bones will return on FOX at 8 PM, bringing the team back together seven months after they split up, being summoned back to Washington, D.C. to help out Cam (Tamara Taylor).

Grey’s Anatomy will be back on ABC at 9 PM, showing the aftermath of the tragic hospital shooting that affected all of the staff in very different and startling ways.

Friday, September 24:

The final seasons of the CW shows Smallville and Supernatural will air at 8 and 9 PM respectively. Smallville will welcome back many familiar faces including Clark’s dad, cousin Kara and Brainiac as well as bringing Kat Grant to the Daily Planet. Clark may even finally don the infamous cape and tights. Meanwhile, over on Supernatural, Dean has been living with Lisa and her son for a year, leading a normal life only to learn that Sam has been back from hell the entire time, requiring his help to figure out why Earth’s monsters are ‘acting strangely’.

Meanwhile, the Tom Selleck-led new drama Blue Bloods will debut on CBS at 10 PM. The series is about the Reagans, a New York City family of cops that also stars Donnie Wahlberg (Boomtown), Bridget Moynahan (Six Degrees) and Will Estes (American Dreams).

Sunday, September 26:

Brothers & Sisters will be back on ABC at 10 PM, picking up the story of the Walker family one year after the tragic car accident depicted at the end of last season. Justin comes back from his tour of duty, Luc is now living with Sarah, working as an underwear model, Scotty and Kevin are reeling from the loss of their surrogate’s child and Kitty is a widow.

There is still more fall premieres coming up so please come back next week for more recommendations.