LITTLE ROCK — Here’s some insider TV trivia for you. Thursday nights are so important to the networks because that’s when viewers are looking ahead and deciding what to do for the weekend.
If the networks put on their primo stuff, they can score big ratings and make advertisers happy.
Two new series debut tonight, one outstanding and one better than average. Another new one arrives Friday with the jury still out.
In addition, several fan favorites return today to further tax your overheated DVRs.
Here’s a look at the three new shows.
Last Resort. 7 p.m. today, ABC. The incomparable Andre Braugher stars as Marcus Chaplin, the captain of a nuclear submarine who goes rogue after refusing an unlawful order to launch his nuclear missiles against Pakistan.
There’s intrigue, conspiracy and nefarious stuff going on. I sat on the edge of my chair as planes tried to take out the sub before it limped to a refuge on a tropical island. It was close.
Now there’s a standoff. The sub still has its nukes, and the captain and crew want to clear their names. Let the paranoia begin.
Last Resort, one of my top picks of the fall season, comes from the fertile mind of Shawn Ryan (The Shield) and co-stars Scott Speedman, Daisy Betts, Dichen Lachman, Autumn Reeser, and Daniel Lissing.
Elementary. 9 p.m. today, CBS. Bottom line: A modern-day twist on the Sherlock Holmes tale.
Jonny Lee Miller is Sherlock Holmes, fresh out of rehab and exiled to New York. Lucy Liu is Dr. Joan Watson, an addiction specialist hired by Holmes’ wealthy father to monitor his progress.
Her job title is “sober companion.”
Joan comes with some baggage as well. A successful surgeon until she lost a patient and her license three years before, Joan views her current job as another opportunity to help people.
Little does she realize she has a knack for investigation as well.
Miller plays Holmes just as eccentrically gifted as Adrian Monk, but with the acerbic patina of a Gregory House.
If CBS is going to foist yet another police procedural upon us, it’s refreshing that it’s one with a little twist to it. Check this one out.
Made in Jersey. 8 p.m. Friday, CBS. Surprise! A new show from CBS that’s not a cop show. It’s a lawyer show — and a lady lawyer show at that.
British actress Janet Montgomery gets her accent on as Martina Garretti, a young working-class gal from a long line of beauticians in New Jersey.
Martina earns a law degree and lands a job at Stark & Rowen, one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms, and uses her tenacity and street smarts to make a name for herself.
This one could be fun if it doesn’t get Jersey Shore tedious.
RETURNING FAVORITES
The Big Bang Theory. 7 p.m. today, CBS. It’s Season 6 for the solid performer. Howard and Bernadette got married on the roof in last season’s finale. What’s next?
And in case you’ve never seen it in print, the part of Rajesh Koothrappali is played by Kunal Nayyar, a 31-year-old Indian actor who was born in England.
And although Raj still can’t talk to women without being drunk, Kunal is doing just fine. He married Miss India six years ago.
Two and a Half Men. 7:30 p.m. today, CBS. It’ll be 10 seasons for the venerable sitcom, and the second with Ashton Kutcher in place of Charlie Sheen.
You’re on your own. I ceased finding the series funny five or six seasons ago.
Grey’s Anatomy. 8 p.m. today, ABC. A whopping 11.44 million watched as the plane crashed and Lexie died in last season’s finale. Now, night has fallen ...
Person of Interest. 8 p.m. today, CBS. Second season for the crime drama.
Scandal. 9 p.m. today, ABC. More Washington shenanigans in Season 2.
CSI: NY. 7 p.m. Friday, CBS. The crime show soldiers on into Season 9.
Fringe. 8 p.m. Friday, Fox. It’s 2036 and the final season for our heroes. Will they defeat the Observers?
Blue Bloods. 9 p.m. Friday, CBS. It’s Season 3 for the Reagan family of New York cops.
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Weekend, Pages 32 on 09/27/2012