NBC
My Name Is Earl
When: Returns on September 25; airs Thursday nights at 8/7c on NBC.
Main Players: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly, Nadine Velazquez, Eddie Steeples
What’s it all about?: After a medical scare, Earl decides to believe in karma, and he sets out to correct all of his past mistakes.
Where’d we leave off?: Billie returned in the finale to grant Earl a divorce, but she will be back this season for a few episodes so who knows where that will go? Creator Greg Garcia has commented that the new season of Earl will recapture the original mission of the series, with Earl checking past wrongs off of his list.
NBC
The Office
When: Returns on September 25; airs Thursday nights at 9/8c on NBC.
Main Players: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, Amy Ryan
What’s it all about?: While hardly workin’, the staff of Dunder Mifflin can’t help but get caught up in boss Michael Scott’s harebrained schemes.
Where’d we leave off?: Toby, the bane of Michael’s existence, is gone, and Holly, a gal he fancies, is in. Aside from that subplot, Jim and Pam are still going strong, and Angela, despite accepting Andy’s marriage proposal, was caught cozying up with Dwight in the final seconds of the finale. Lots of loose ends to tie up, or, better yet, to let play out hilariously over the course of the season.