‘Lost’ a nonreality form of ‘Survivor’
September is here, and there are new shows a-poppin’!
ABC’s “Lost,” debuting at 8, comes from J.J. Abrams, producer of the deliciously over-the-top “Alias.” A plane crash leaves 48 survivors stranded on a desert island, and there’s something scary in the forest. Matthew Fox of “Party of Five” stars as a doctor who emerges as a leader of our group.
It’s your usual World War II lifeboat-movie grab bag of genders, ages and races. Keep an eye on Terry O’Quinn as the guy who keeps to himself.
Think of it as “Survivor,” without Jeff Probst or any candy bars from home.
Then, at 10, dial up the premiere of “CSI: NY,” the third installment in the CBS forensics franchise. The original, Vegas version, starring Chicago actor William Petersen, is a huge hit. The Miami version, with David Caruso at the helm, is no slouch.
The Big Apple’s crime scene investigators should be popular, too, led as they are by another terrific Chicago actor, Gary Sinise, with help from Melina Kanakaredes of “Providence.”
Don’t expect them to mess with the formula too much here. Crimes are solved by a combination of high technology and clever logic. Tonight, the team is after a garden-variety serial killer, but communicating with their key witness is the tricky part.
Of course, I’ll be watching “Rescue Me,” on FX at 10.
Highlights
“A Dr. Phil Primetime Special: Family First,” CBS at 8: For two hours, Dr. Phil “lays down the laws of parenting” with help from Patricia Heaton, Will Smith and others. Where would we all be without Dr. Phil to tell us how to live, huh?
“That ‘70s Show,” Fox at 8: Eric’s new career: vandalism. Plus, Red buys a muffler shop.
“Hawaii,” NBC at 8: A 16-year-old girl is kidnapped by a sex-slave ring, and Declan’s going to get her back.
“America’s Next Top Model,” UPN at 8: Season premiere of the reality contest.
“Smallville,” WB at 8: Action-packed season premiere. Clark returns to Smallville reprogrammed as Kal-El. To save him, Martha turns to Dr. Swann’s emissary, (Margot Kidder of “Superman”).
And Lois Lane (new cast member Erica Durance) arrives to investigate the murder of her cousin Chloe.
“Quintuplets,” Fox at 8:30: At the multiples convention, Patton pretends to be an identical twin to get a date, while Penny and Paige meet up with identical twin boys.
“The Bachelor,” ABC at 9: Two-hour season premiere. It’s ladies’ choice, as the women must pick from two bachelors.
“Veronica Mars,” UPN at 9: Premiere of a show that will air on Tuesdays beginning next week. Kristen Bell stars as a small-town high school student who helps her private-eye dad (Enrico Colantoni) and fellow students. But the real mysteries include her mother’s whereabouts and the murder of her best friend. Initial buzz is promising.
“The Mountain,” WB at 9: Premiere. Family-owned ski resort is left in the hands of “free-spirited” David Carver Jr. (Oliver Hudson of “Dawson’s Creek”). This soapy family drama includes guest shots by Mitch Pileggi (Skinner on “The X-Files”) and Barbara Hershey.
“Law & Order,” NBC at 9: Season premiere in an early time slot. And here’s another good Chicago actor!
Former Chicago cop Dennis Farina joins the show, replacing Jerry Orbach, who’s leaving to join another upcoming “L&O” series.
Tonight, the case involves the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Can’t say they’re not ripping them from the headlines, huh?
A repeat follows at 10.
Family Fare
“The Bernie Mac Show,” Fox at 9: Bernie is preparing for a big performance and wants the kids to let him have a little peace and quiet. That’s not going to happen.
Cable Cast
Baseball, ESPN and ESPN2 at 4: Four games, as the pennant and wild card races move to their climax.
“The Wire,” HBO at 9: Repeat of Sunday’s season premiere of the gritty drug-war series set on the mean streets of Baltimore.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Kelly Ripa and music from Elvis Costello.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Jimmy Fallon and Ashlee Simpson.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: John C. Reilly and Sherri Shepherd.
“Late, Late Show,” CBS at 12:35: Sara Rue and music from the Datsuns.