‘Lost’ returns; Stewart’s ‘Apprentice’ debuts
Tonight, we get answers to two of the most hotly debated questions in primetime television.
First, just what will they find at the bottom of that hatch when “Lost” (9 p.m., ABC) returns for season two? A retrospective clip show (8 p.m.) precedes the season opener to refresh fans’ memories and inform newcomers.
Second, over on NBC, we get to see just what kind of “The Apprentice” (8 p.m., NBC) host Martha Stewart can become. In tonight’s opener, the 16 contestants break into two teams to try to concoct a children’s book that will please the domestic diva. Will viewers flock to see Stewart in primetime? Can she concoct a signature sendoff to rival Trump’s “You’re fired!”?
The new series “Invasion” (10 p.m., ABC) arrives with two strikes against it. It is the third new waterlogged supernatural show to come down the pike in less than five days. It also happens to open with scenes of chaos and devastation arising from a major hurricane in the Gulf region. After Katrina, some may avert their eyes.
Eddie Cibrian (“Third Watch”) stars as Russell, an intrepid park ranger whose ex-wife, Mariel (Kari Matchett), goes missing during the hurricane. She’s later discovered, bereft of any clothes and wearing an enigmatic expression. Soon, Russell’s new wife, Larkin (Lisa Sheridan), a news reporter, reports similar survivor stories – people found naked and somehow altered. Are they the victims of some alien abduction? Pod people?
They mystery gets murkier when Russell’s beer-guzzling brother-in-law Dave (Tyler Labine), a conspiracy-minded dude with a resemblance to Jack Black, stumbles upon odd doings in the swamp. And just what are those strange lights that Russell’s daughter Rose (Ariel Gade) saw before the big storm?
My nomination for most confusing title of the new season goes to “E-Ring” (9 p.m., NBC). Does it stand for “Engagement Ring”? It sounds like something your car engine can’t start without. The term actually refers to the outer layer of the Pentagon building, the layer where really, really important military decisions are made.
Benjamin Bratt (“Law & Order”) returns to primetime as Maj. Tim Tinewski, a gung-ho military man just returned from Afghanistan. He immediately butts heads with the Pentagon brass, namely Col. Bob McNulty, portrayed with equal parts flint, fire and oddball goofiness by Dennis Hopper of “Blue Velvet” fame. McNulty is a by-the-books, old-school survivor who gets pushed to the brink by Tinewski’s brash enthusiasm.
This being a Jerry Bruckheimer production, the action is globe-spanning and earth-shattering. In the opening episode, Tim encourages the big shots to throw caution to the wind and send a Navy SEAL squad to rescue a defecting Chinese agent. Sporting a rippling physique, Bratt appears to be having fun here as an upstart with a conscience (not to mention almost all of the best lines). Fans of straightforward military dramas could do worse. NBC may be trying to reclaim the audience it lost when the network let “JAG” defect to CBS.
Tonight’s other highlights
Only six remain on “So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m., Fox).
A sick character kidnaps a team member on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS), postponed from an earlier date.
A young gun inspires a tired idealist on the pilot episode of “Just Legal” (9 p.m., WB).
“American Masters” (9 p.m., KSPS) profiles Lucille Ball.
A kidnapping may require a big compromise on “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC).
“Science of the Bible” (10 p.m., National Geographic) ponders just how Jesus might have traveled around Galilee and just how many people could have heard him deliver the Sermon on the Mount.
Cult choice
W.C Fields and Margaret Dumont star in the 1941 comedy “Never Give a Sucker an Even Break” (5 p.m., TCM).
Series notes
Brian’s breakthrough on “Still Standing” (8 p.m., CBS) … Tyra Banks hosts “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN) … Nathan needs more than money on “One Tree Hill” (8 p.m., WB) … Greg takes it a little too easy on “Yes, Dear” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … A new client on “Head Cases” (9 p.m., Fox).