1) “Law & Order” season-opener, 8 p.m., NBC. Maura Tierney was at the heart of NBC’s must-see Thursdays, playing Abby for on “ER” for a decade. She dropped out of “Parenthood” in 2009 because of breast cancer, but her comeback includes “The Affair,” “American Rust” and this summer’s “Twisters.” Now, at 59, she’s the new homicide chief (shown here). Read more…
1) “Sullivan’s Crossing” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. As the first season ended, Maggie returned to her life as a Boston surgeon. Then life crumbled at this little Canadian resort. A note from Cal (who’s shown here with Maggie) was intercepted before it got to her; her dad was hospitalized and forgot his foreclosure crisis. Now she rushes back, in an emotional hour. Read more…
1) Vice presidential debate, 9 p.m. ET, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and news channels. Onstage will be Tim Walz and JD Vance – both Midwesterners, both ex-military, yet opposite in almost every way. Margaret Brennan (shown here) and Norah O’Donnell will ask the questions and will be able to mute the microphones. Vance won the coin-flip and gives his conclusion last. Read more…
1) “Brilliant Minds,” 10 p.m., NBC. This second episode shows how good – and how demanding – this show can be. The first seemed heightened, trying hard to grab us. But it set the basics: Zachary Quinto as someone like Dr. Oliver Sacks, the brilliant and eccentric neurologist. Tonight’s episode throws a lot past us, but Quinto (shown here) helps make it feel human and tangible. Read more…
1) “The Simpsons” season-opener, 8 p.m., Fox. One of TV’s eternal pleasures is back. Alas, this 36th season (starting with Bart’s birthday, shown here) is in mixed company. “Bob’s Burgers” (9 p.m.) has been clever, but the newer shows are so-so. At 9:30, the “Krapopolis” season-opener is fairly funny (but gory); at 8:30, “Universal Basic Guys” hits obnoxious overload. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live” season-opener, 11:29 p.m., NBC. The 50th season starts, with Jean Smart(shown here) – fresh from her Emmy win for “Hacks” – hosting and Jelly Roll as the music guest. Chloe Troast, Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney won’t be back; three newcomers arrive, with Maya Rudolph returning for sketches that include Kamala Harris. Read more…
1) Hispanic Heritage Awards, 10 p.m., PBS. Leslie Grace (shown here) had a splendid movie debut, starring in the “In the Heights” musical. Now Grace, 29, hosts and sings; other performers include Omar Apollo, Alejandra Guzman, Cafe Tacuba (alternately, Cafe Tacvba) and a tribute to Tito Puente. Read more…
1) “Grey’s Anatomy” (shown here) season-opener, 10 p.m., ABC. It’s the 21st season, passing “Gunsmoke” on the all-time list. Among scripted, primetime shows, that’s topped only by “The Simpsons” and two “Law & Order” shows, heading into No. 36, 26 and 24. “Station 19” is gone now, so Ben (Jason George) returns to “Grey’s.” Read more…
www(Here are the five TV best-bets for Wednesday, Sept. 25; feel free to use in any form – all or some, print and/or web)
1) “Chicago P.D.” season-opener, 10 p.m., NBC. Easily the best of the three Chicago shows, this is also the most intense. Now Voight (shown here) is angrier than ever. He barely survived a kidnapping last season; now his favorite colleague (Hailey) is gone. Voight throws himself into a lethal drug case. The result packs a powerful punch, including a final jolt. Read more…
1) “The Choice,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. Once every four years, the “Frontline” people create a side-by-side portrait of the presidential candidates. The result tends to be deep, detailed and even-handed. Even against strong competition — including top people (shown here) on the “America’s Got Talent” finale — this is must-see TV. Read more…
