Your favorite TV shows return, rising from the ashes of the dreaded writers strike! Here’s a rundown on the shows and when they’re airing:
CBS
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
When: Returned April 3, airing Thursday nights at 9/8c
Main Players: William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox, Robert David Hall, Wallace Langham, Jessica Lucas, Eric Szmanda, Paul Guilfoyle
What’s it all about?: The original CSI, in its 8th year at the top of CBS’ schedule, follows a group of Las Vegas-based forensics specialists as they uncover the mysteries and circumstances surrounding gruesome murders.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: Business as usual for the CSI gang, translating to more crimes solved and more ratings accumulated. [PAGEBREAK]
CBS
When: Returned April 3, airing Thursday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Anthony LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Enrique Murciano, Roselyn Sanchez, Eric Close
What’s it all about?: Members of the fictitious FBI Missing Persons Unit investigate a vanished person each episode. Unlike most crime dramas, Without a Trace delves into the personal lives of the investigators, many of whom form an emotional connection with those they search for alongthe way.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: In the first episodes back, the team is hot on the trail of two missing persons. One, in last week’s re-premiere, propelled Jack into an illegal prostitution ring. This week’s sees the team frantically searching for a prospective heart transplant recipient.[PAGEBREAK]
CBS
When: Returned April 4, airing Friday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Conrad, Camryn Manheim, Jay Mohr
What’s it all about?: Melinda Gordon has the gift of being able to communicate with the dead. As a result, each week a newly departed person enlists her help to relay a message or finish a job.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: A unique show for its ability to perform well on Friday nights, Ghost Whisperer returns this month and has also been greenlit for fall 2008-2009. This week, it’s a town blogger who’s caught Melinda’s attention after he threatens to expose her.[PAGEBREAK]
CBS
When: Premiered on April 8, airing Tuesday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: John O’Hurley (host), Clint Black, Danny Bonaduce, Bridget Marquardt, Ben Stein, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, George Takei, Sasha Cohen, among others
What’s it all about?: Each week, celebrities compete in a tournament-style format to see who has the most entertaining unknown talent. A group of judges will critique each performance, but it’ll be viewer votes that determine who goes home.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: Full season (depending on popularity)
What to expect?: Well, it was only a matter of time, but if dancing stars could be such an enormous hit, then who’s to say that this won’t catch on. It should be interesting to see what kind of secondary talents these stars have (especially since, in some cases, their primary skills aren’t all that dazzling).[PAGEBREAK]
CBS
When: Returned April 4, airing Friday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Rob Morrow, David Krumholtz, Peter MacNicol, Diane Farr, Judd Hirsch, Navi Rawat, Alimi Ballard, Dylan Bruno
What’s it all about?: Combining math and crime, Numb3rs follows the Eppes family–brothers Charlie and Don, and father Alan–as they crunch the numbers that always find their way at the crux of the latest L.A. crime.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 3+8-5=6
What to expect?: Fractals, algorithms, centripetal force, oh my! You learned in grade school that you were going to need all that math knowledge someday. The teachers just didn’t know it’d be for television purposes. [PAGEBREAK]
CBS
When: Returned April 8, airing Tuesday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: Mark Harmon, David McCallum, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, Sean Murray, Cote de Pablo, Lauren Holly
What’s it all about?: Introduced as a semi-spin off of former CBS military drama, JAG, NCIS also centers on the U.S. Navy and Marines. The show’s Washington D.C.-based crew investigates any and all crimes that emanate from the armed forces.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 7
What to expect?: An interesting episode slated for this week sees McGee working on a murder case that has an eerie resemblance to a novel he’s been working on. [PAGEBREAK]
CBS
When: Returns April 14, airing Monday nights at 9:30/8:30c
Main Players: Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich, Megyn Price, David Spade, Patrick Warburton
What’s it all about?: A comedic look at three different stages of love, Rules follows the exploits of a group of 5 friends. Two are a longtime married couple, two are freshly engaged, and then there’s Russell, who just might be single forever.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: Rules has been a solid part of CBS’ Monday night of comedy for two years now. In the first episode back, Jennifer and Adam join Jeff and Audrey on a trip, but they may wish they hadn’t when they find out why they were invited.[PAGEBREAK]
NBC
When: Returns April 23, airing Wednesday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Jesse L. Martin, Jeremy Sisto, Anthony Anderson, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, Alana de la Garza, Sam Waterston
What’s it all about?: No doubt the grandparent of the oft-duplicated modern crime drama, not to mention its own family of spin-offs, for 18 years Law & Order has stayed fresh by taking its complex criminal plots straight from the headlines of the real world.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: For a show that’s been on TV for a billion years as Law & Order has, you’ve got to expect change from time to time. When it returns this month, it will be out with longtime detective Ed Green, played by Jesse L. Martin, and in with detective Kevin Bernard, played by K-Ville’s Anthony Anderson. Come to think of it, that doesn’t bode well for FOX’s K-Ville now does it?[PAGEBREAK]
NBC
When: Returns April 15, airing Tuesday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer, Ice T
What’s it all about?: This version of L&O distinguishes itself by focusing more on the investigative unit’s main players and their motives in a given case. The unit also deals with more controversial subjects than in any of the other Law & Orders.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: Same as it ever was plot-wise but two big names, Bill Pullman and Robin Williams, will guest star when SVU returns this month.[PAGEBREAK]
NBC
When: Returned April 3, airing Thursday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly
What’s it all about?: Karma-obsessed Earl decides to turn his life around after being hit by a car.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 9
What to expect?: Probably the staff with the most post-strike ambition, those behind Earl rushed to complete a slew of new episodes to air before summer. Earl spent the entire strike (approximately 3 months) unconscious in the middle of the road where he was visited in coma-land by Paris Hilton. The next few episodes will see Randy and Joy taking over the task of tending to Earl’s to-do list, while waiting for him to wake up.[PAGEBREAK]
NBC
When: Returns April 10, airing Thursday nights at 9/8c
Main Players: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson
What’s it all about?: Based on Ricky Gervais’ BBC series, the U.S. Office turns the monotonous (office life at a paper-selling company) into the comedic.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: When we last left the Dunder Mifflin crew, the plots were getting more outlandish by the episode, with Michael and Dwight completing the transformation from delusional office workers to complete psychotics. We’ll see more of that, more Jim and Pam romance, and even a spin-off next year.
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NBC
When: Returns April 10, airing Thursday nights at 8:30/7:30c
Main Players: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski
What’s it all about?: Pompous boss Jack and the off-the-wall talent are enough to leave mild-mannered Liz Lemon gasping for air and punching pillows every week. TGS may be a laugh-out-loud, late-night sketch show, but the goings on behind-the-scenes is where the real comedy happens.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: I’d venture to say that 30 Rock made out the best due to the writers strike. Of course it would have been better to be airing episodes, but the buzz on the show as being one of the edgiest, sharpest comedies on TV has been growing and growing for months. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rip Torn, Matthew Broderick, and Will Arnett are slated to make appearances in the next 5 episodes.[PAGEBREAK]
NBC
When: Returns April 10, airing Thursday nights at 9:30/8:30c
Main Players: Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Judy Reyes, John C. McGinley
What’s it all about?: Scrubs plays out through the eyes of John “J.D.” Dorian, an intern-turned-physician at Sacred Heart Hospital. There’s comedy, tragedy, romance, sometimes musical numbers, but most of all, a sense of anything-goes that has kept its fans happy for 7 years now.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 3
What to expect?: There’s been a lot of back and forth between Scrubs creators and NBC about what the future holds. As of now, only three episodes (written and filmed before the strike) are planned to air beginning this month. Creators, actors, and the rabid fanbase, though, would like to see a proper ending to the show if this is indeed the end of the road. ABC has expressed interest in picking up the show in the fall–and strong rumors point to that being the case–but there is still a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Scrubs for now.[PAGEBREAK]
FOX
When: Returns April 14, airing Monday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, Eric Millegan, Tamara Taylor, T.J. Thyne, John Francis Daley
What’s it all about?: The forensic anthropology team at the Jeffersonian Institution must use the bones and human remains provided to them to close the case on crimes.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: The popular duo, Booth and Brennan, spring right back into action this month. In the first episode back, they must take care of a baby while trying to track down who killed the mother.[PAGEBREAK]
FOX
When: Returns April 28, airing Monday nights at 9/8c
Main Players: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Kal Penn, Peter Jacobson
What’s it all about?: Gregory House is cruel, sarcastic, egotistical, and regularly makes life at his hospital a living hell for others. But he’s also a genius who misses no opportunity to cure the incurable through unconventional means.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 4
What to expect?: With the Surviror-esque competition for a staff position on House’s team all wrapped up, they can go back to focusing on the truly bizarre cases brought to them weekly. At some point in the next 4 episodes, a big, life-changing accident occurs, leaving House in a very different state of mind.
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ABC
When: Returns April 24, airing Thursday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Rebecca Romijn, Judith Light, Vanessa Williams, Becki Newton, Christopher Gorham
What’s it all about?: An awkward underdog, Betty, ends up working in the catty world of fashion journalism.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: When we last left Betty in January, Daniel had inadvertently fallen for Wilhelmina’s sister, something went awry with Betty’s new writing assignment, and the search for Gene Simmons, Amanda’s biological father, got underway. In the first episode back, it’s birthday time for Betty. If you think that means only good times and cake, then you haven’t been watching very closely.[PAGEBREAK]
ABC
When: Returns April 24, airing Thursday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito, Kevin Dunn, Melissa McCarthy, Tim Russ, Barry Watson, Jean Smart
What’s it all about?: Following an amnesia-inducing car accident, Sam sets about making things right with those she’d been cruel to all throughout her former life.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: One of the best-received debuts in the shortened 2007-2008 TV schedule, Samantha Who? also has the distinction of being just one of two freshman shows to go back into production for new episodes this month. This all bodes well for the series’ future.[PAGEBREAK]
ABC
When: Returns April 24, airing Thursday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Matthew Fox, Naveen Andrews, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Evangeline Lilly, Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson
What’s it all about?: After a passenger flight crashes on a mysterious island, the survivors simultaneously search for rescue and clues behind some supernatural occurrences.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: Finally some answers are making their way to viewers. With the introduction of flash-forwards and now that the surviving “Oceanic 6” have been disclosed, the story has begun–after 4 years–to take some shape (at a relatively steady pace).[PAGEBREAK]
ABC
When: Returns April 20, airing Sunday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Dave Annable, Balthazar Getty, Rob Lowe, Matthew Rhys, Sarah Jane Morris, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig
What’s it all about?: Brothers & Sisters follows the Walker family as they try to make sense of life after the death of their patriarch.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 4
What to expect?: In the next episode, Robert and Kitty visit a fertility clinic; Nora’s reaction to a surprise proposal shocks the family; and Rebecca continues to look into the identity of her father.[PAGEBREAK]
ABC
When: Returns April 24, airing Thursday nights at 9/8c
Main Players: Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, T. R. Knight
What’s it all about?: Grey’s Anatomy is the story of Seattle Grace’s hospital staff as seen from the perspective of Meredith Grey. Whether it’s sexual tension between staffers run rampant, or a life or death experience that they may encounter, it has become clear that the hospital’s patients are not the only ones that need saving.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: The doctors are in the midst of a surgical competition when Grey’s picks back up. Meanwhile, George and Lexie adapt to their new unimpressive digs after moving in together.
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ABC
When: Returns April 13, airing Sunday nights at 9/8c
Main Players: Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria Parker, Nicollette Sheridan, James Denton
What’s it all about?: A group of women from the suburban utopia of Wisteria Lane go through abnormal trials and tribulations as the heads of their dysfunctional households.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 7
What to expect?: The upcoming episode in the series picks up one month after a tornado tore through Wisteria Lane. Everyone is back to their old tricks–Gabrielle finds out Carlos will be permanently blind, Mike exits rehab, Bree returns home, etc.–but a surprise wedding ceremony turns up some juicy secrets that may have an impact on what happens next.[PAGEBREAK]
ABC
When: Returned April 8, airing Tuesday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Christian Clemenson, Tara Summers
What’s it all about?: Denny Crane and Alan Shore are two of the best lawyers in the business. They could win any case you put in front of them, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be emotionally and philosophically challenged by it in the process.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 6
What to expect?: Not much can be expected to change to a show that can effortlessly bring in Emmys by just existing. Predictably, more intricate cases and even more psychologically unsound behavior from the firm’s law talent will be spread through the final 5 episodes of the season.[PAGEBREAK]
CW Network
When: Returns April 21, airing Thursday nights at 8/7c
Main Players: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, Kelly Rutherford, Matthew Settle
What’s it all about?: A group of privileged New York City young adults turn to ‘the Gossip Girl’, a popular blogger, to spill their friends’ secrets.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 5
What to expect?: In a nation where presidential hopefuls are name-dropping Heidi Montag and The Hills, it comes as no surprise that the first batch of Gossip Girl was met with open arms by the cattiness-conscious crowd. This next batch of 5 episodes will do well to advance the show as the next “it” thing.
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Sci-Fi Channel
When: Returned April 4, airing Friday nights at 10/9c
Main Players: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park
What’s it all about?: Survivors of a nuclear annihilation, led by Laura Roslin and William Adama, must dodge evil-meaning Cylons while searching for the infamous 13th colony–a.k.a. Earth.
April will shower us with how many episodes?: 10
What to expect?: If you haven’t watched before, it’d serve you well to brush up via DVD before trying to jump right into this complex adventure. Starting this month is the first half of the show’s final season. The second half won’t hit until mid to late 2009.
