TV best bets with returns of ‘Bones,’ ‘Survivor,’ ‘The Office,’ and new series ‘Revolution,’ ‘The Rickey Smiley Show’
The pilot of "Revolution" on NBC was shot in Atlanta but the series is now being shot in Wilmington, N.C. CREDIT: NBC
Next week is when the floodgates of new shows begin on most of the networks but NBC is bringing back its Thursday night comedy lineup this week, including the final season of “The Office.” The highly anticipated new series “Revolution” debuts tonight (though it’s been on Hulu for a couple of weeks, too).
Fox, which has already brought back “The X Factor” and “Glee” last week, returns Monday with its oldest drama “Bones,” followed by “Mob Doctor,” the network’s attempt to replace “House.”
On Wednesday, CBS brings back “Survivor” for a 25th season, this time featuring “Facts of Life” star Lisa Welchel and former Los Angeles Dodger Jeff Kent. I can’t imagine being a celebrity is an advantage necessarily on that show once folks recognize them.
Local star Rickey Smiley gets his own sitcom on TV One Tuesday while TLC tries out “The Secret Princes,” shot in Atlanta, on Friday, featuring actual foreign royalty seeking women in the United States.
And not like many people care these days, but the Emmys air on Sunday night on ABC.
MONDAY
“Monday Night Football” 8 p.m. WSB, ESPN — The Broncos play in Atlanta against the Falcons in what should be a close game. (The CMA Music Festival is pre-empted on WSB, which will air it at 12:30 p.m. Sunday)
“Bones” 8 p.m. Fox (eighth season debut) — Was Brennan framed for murder?
“Major Crimes” 8 p.m. TNT — Raydor makes a daring move that could threaten her career.
“Mob Doctor” 9 p.m. Fox (new series) — A surgeon is beholden to the Chicago Mafia.
“Perception”10 p.m. TNT (first season finale) — TNT has renewed this drama for a second season.
“Revolution” 10 p.m. NBC (new series) — The world loses all electricity. Conspiracy theories abound! The pilot was shot in Atlanta.
TUESDAY
“So You Think You Can Dance” 8 p.m. Fox — Atlanta’s Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer has a solid shot to win the men’s title.
“Death and the Civil War” 8 p.m. GPB — Examining how the death toll in the Civil War affected the nation’s psyche.
“The Greatest TV Shows Of Our Time” 9 p.m. ABC — The results of an ABC News/People magazine poll.
“Face Off” 9 p.m. Syfy — Roy Wooley of Tucker is one of the stronger FX makeup artists on the show.
“The Rickey Smiley Show” 9 p.m. TV One (new series) — Local syndicated radio host and stand-up comic Rickey Smiley stars in a fictionalized version of his real life.
“White Collar” 9 p.m. USA (fourth season summer finale) — An FBI conference is targeted by a thief.
“Sons of Anarchy” 10 p.m. FX — Sins from the past resurface for Jax and SAMCRO.
“Survivor” 8 p.m. CBS (25th season debut) — Two contestants grew up locally – Malcolm Freberg and Sarah Dawson.
“Royal Pains” 9 p.m. USA (fourth season finale) — Hank comes to conclusions about his life.
“Big Brother” 9:30 p.m. CBS (14th season finale) — Danielle, Dan and Ian vie for the crown.
“American Hoggers” 10 p.m. A&E — A replacement is hired for Krystal.
“Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” 10 p.m. TLC — Alana gets advice on pageants from Miss Georgia 2011.
“How Booze Built America” 10 p.m. Discovery (part one of three) — Mike Rowe explores alcohol’s place in American colonial life.
“Real World/Road Rules Challenge” 10 p.m. MTV (23rd season debut) — That is not a typo. This is the 23rd season.
THURSDAY
“Saturday Night Live: Primetime Election Special” 8 p.m. NBC — Jay Pharoah replaces Fred Armisen to play Pres. Obama.
“Wipeout” 8 p.m. ABC (fifth season finale) — Twenty four teachers battle for $50,000, no matter how painful it might be.
“Up All Night” 8:30 p.m. NBC (second season debut) — “The Ava Show” is cancelled.
“Braxton Family Values” 9 p.m. WE (second season finale) — Toni performs with her sisters.
“Glee” 9 p.m. Fox — Brittany falls into a rut.
“The Office” 9 p.m. NBC (ninth season debut) — This will be the show’s finale season.
“Parks & Recreation” 9:30 p.m. NBC (fifth season debut) — Sen. John McCain guests.
“Tamar & Vince” 10 p.m. WE (new series) — A spinoff with the breakout star Tamar of “Braxton Family Values.”
“Raw Sports: Michael Vick” 11 p.m. Spike — Catching up with the former Falcon.
FRIDAY
“America’s Next Top Model” 8 p.m. the CW — Alicia Keys visits the models.
“Shark Tank” 8 p.m. ABC — Pitches include an app for cheaters and surf-inspired exercise equipment.
“2012 ALMA Awards” 8 p.m. NBC — Eva Longoria and George Lopez host a show honoring Hispanic achievement in entertainment.
“Haven” 10 p.m. Syfy (third season debut) — Nathan and Duke Look for Audrey while the town experiences its oddest events ever.
“Secret Princes” 10 p.m. TLC — Four bachelor princes from around the world move to Atlanta, find jobs and pretend to be normal folks while seeking mates to return home. Yes, it’s “Coming to America,” reality style.
WEEKEND
“Last Hours in Suburbia” 8 tonight Lifetime — A teen tries to prove she’s innocent of killing her best friend in a car accident.
“Saturday Night Live” 11:29 tonight NBC —Joseph Gordon-Levett hosts.
“The 64th Primetime Emmys” 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — Jimmy Kimmel hosts.
“Behind the Music” 9 p.m. Sunday VH1 — Part-time Atlantan Ne-Yo is the focal.
“Hell on Wheels” 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — Lily and Cullen struggle to maintain order after a tragedy.
“All American Handyman” 10 p.m. Sunday HGTV (third season finale) — Atlantan Rodney Boyden just missed the final last week .
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” 10 p.m. Sunday Bravo (fourth season finale) — The ladies scrutinize Teresa’s involvement in “Stripper-Gate.”
“Treme” 10 p.m. Sunday HBO — The season starts in the fall of 2007, two years after Katrina.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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15 comments Add your comment
Allie Foster
September 17th, 2012
8:48 am
Good grief! After reading this I am now 100% convinced the networks have succeeded in the Dumbing Down of America! Who watches this garbage?
Darkstar3d
September 17th, 2012
8:53 am
I agree Allie, its crazy… except for Monday Night Football!
Jere
September 17th, 2012
9:14 am
In addition to the two “celebrities”, Survivor is bringing back several former players who left the game for injuries. Rodney, I’m not sure if you’re a Survivor fan or not, but what is your take on reality shows recycling former players? Big Brother does it every year, Survivor does it, Amazing Race does it plus they all have “fan favorite” seasons. I’m a big Survivor and Amazing Race fan but in my opinion, the recycled players dont really add anything; I would much rather see a new batch of players — makes the games and the watching more interesting.
Wannabe Cop
September 17th, 2012
9:15 am
RE: ” ‘Raw Sports: Michael Vick’ 11 p.m. Spike — Catching up with the former Falcon. ”
Reading that makes me feel like a real member of law enforcement.
Rodney Ho
September 17th, 2012
11:15 am
@Jere. Then we have the “all star” shows. “Survivor,” season 25. Gimmicks are to be expected at this stage. Some folks do like seeing players from the past. It’s not a terrible idea at this stage. There are plenty of new players to boot. Throwing in a couple of past players seems relatively harmless to me.
Mercedes S.
September 17th, 2012
11:37 am
Rodney, you never never never mention “Project Runway”… imho the only current “reality” show with talent
Rodney Ho
September 17th, 2012
11:40 am
I do sometimes mention “Project Runway” in TV best bets. Not always but usually. Just didn’t do it this week. In fact, I watch it cos my wife watches it and it’s still entertaining. Gunnar was entertaining but I guess his time was up last week!
dagadawgs
September 17th, 2012
12:32 pm
MNF and SOA only 2 shows worth watching on that entire list. Unbelievable how bad TV is now.
Hmmm
September 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
When do Californication and Nurse Jackie come back around? Those are the shows I am waiting on…
dork
September 17th, 2012
3:35 pm
tv is really bad . and they cancel shows too quick . whats the point of watching. what are they on now big brother 20 and survivor 23. what a freaking joke. is there anybody out there with intact brains?
God-awful
September 17th, 2012
5:36 pm
Be interesting to see how many people stick with “Revolution” once JJ Abrams introduces his typical “Lost” nonsense of adding layer upon layer and question upon question without ever answering anything.
I know people who will never watch another Abrams project because of all the “Lost” shenanigans. He played the audience for suckers, and those who come back for more deserve what they get.
TV best bets with returns of Bones, Survivor, The Office, and new series …
September 18th, 2012
2:02 am
[...] Office.” The highly anticipated new series “ Revolution ” debuts tonight … …Source Tags: Revolution TV Show window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : [...]
Tanner
September 18th, 2012
2:48 am
No good shows? The Office and Parks & Rec. Football sucks.
TV best bets with returns of Bones, Survivor, The Office, and new series …
September 18th, 2012
3:05 am
[...] Office.” The highly anticipated new series “ Revolution ” debuts tonight … …Source Tags: Revolution TV [...]
Hunter
September 18th, 2012
5:16 pm
You forgot New Normal! Better than The Office ever was I think.