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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Showtime’s ‘Homeland’ highlights flood of returning premieres

Chuck Barney Mcclatchy-Tribune

Don’t miss

“Homeland” – Sunday is a huge premiere night that delivers an avalanche of returning shows, including “Once Upon a Time” (8 p.m., ABC), “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox), “Revenge” (9 p.m., ABC), “Dexter” (9 p.m., Showtime), and “The Good Wife” (9 p.m., CBS). But only this riveting political thriller arrives on an Emmy high. Having just earned prizes for best drama, as well as lead actress (Claire Danes) and actor (Damian Lewis), “Homeland” resumes six months after Season 1’s cliffhanger and quickly cranks up the tension. 10 p.m., Showtime.

tonight: Will “Call the Midwife” be another Brit hit a la “Downton Abbey”? Full of colorful characters, this new drama series is set in the squalor of London’s East End during the 1950s and follows the exploits of young, wide-eyed midwives as they work alongside nursing nuns. 7 p.m., KSPS; 8 p.m., KCDT.

tonight: There’s lots of spooky thrills to be found in “666 Park Avenue.” It’s a drama about life (and death) at a New York apartment building owned by a devilish Terry O’Quinn and Vanessa Williams. 10:01 p.m., ABC.

MONDAY: We don’t know if the epic meltdown of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong will be featured in the “iHeartRadio Music Festival” special, but it couldn’t hurt the ratings. Usher, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Pink, Rihanna and others managed to perform without smashing a guitar to bits. 8 p.m., The CW.

MONDAY: “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” is a program that looks at females living under incredibly difficult circumstances – and fighting bravely to change them. 9 p.m., KSPS, KCDT.

TUESDAY: The award-winning “30 for 30” sports documentary series returns with a new film called “Broke.” It’s a fascinating examination of pro athletes who have squandered their fortunes due to bad investments, frivolous spending and other factors. 5 p.m., ESPN.

WEDNESDAY: They’ve spent months launching verbal barbs at each other from afar. Now Barack Obama and Mitt Romney finally come face-to-face for their first presidential debate. Jim Lehrer moderates the event. 6 p.m., various broadcast and cable news networks.

THURSDAY: “30 Rock” launches its seventh and final season tonight. The opener has Liz (Tina Fey) returning from hiatus, only to be shocked by Jack’s (Alec Baldwin) awful fall programming lineup. 8 p.m., NBC.

FRIDAY: “A Night at the Movies” gets political with an installment called “Hollywood Goes to Washington.” It examines the portrayal of American presidents in the cinema and how movies view government. 8:15 p.m., TCM.

SATURDAY: Prepare for takeoff. “Winged Planet” is a documentary that provides viewers with an incredible bird’s eye view by using special cameras mounted on eagles, pelicans and other feathered creatures. 8 p.m., Discovery.