Welcome To The New Stuff

It's appropriate that with Labor Day marking the end of summer and the beginning of fall, several new and returning shows are hitting the air tonight.

Perhaps the most intriguing is "Raising the Bar," (TNT, 10 p.m.), which will be taking over "Saving Grace's" timeslot for a few weeks.

It stars Mark-Paul Gosselar ("NYPD Blue") as a public defender and Gloria Reuben ("ER") as his boss. Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") plays a judge.

The series was created by Steven Bochco, who has produced some of the great TV of our time ("NYPD Blue," "Hill Street Blues") as well as some of the most forgettable ("Cop Rock"). Where will "Raising The Bar" fall on the Bochco scale? Early reviews have been mixed, so we'll wait and see.

COMING TUESDAY: The Telegraph's Charles E. Richardson reunites with Kenny Burgamy for the debut of the "Kenny B. and Charles E. Show" on WPGA-FM 100.9 from 6 a.m.-9 a.m., with the first hour of the show being aired live on WPGA-TV.

The talk show will provide a contrast to WMAC-AM 940's recently debuted talk radio program, hosted by Chris Krok.

MONDAY'S BEST BETS: I gave up on "Prison Break" (Fox, 8 p.m.) at the beginning of last season as the show went ridiculous beyond even its own standards, but evidently someone is still watching it, so he or she will be up for tonight's two-hour debut. I'm still wondering how they will explain away how Michael's decapitated girlfriend is back to being a series regular.

A new "Saving Grace" (TNT, 9 p.m.) leads into "Raising The Bar."

To give equal time, I should note that the Republican National Convention kicks off tonight. You can catch the action at 8 p.m. on PBS and cable, or the key speeches at 10 p.m. on the networks.

Check last week's postings for "Reel Fanatic's" review of the season premiere of "Gossip Girl" (CW, 8 p.m.), followed by the season premiere of "One Tree Hill" (CW, 9 p.m.) as the network looks to get out of the gates early.

Finally, CNBC didn't do a good job of promoting it when it debuted last week, but "The Apprentice UK" (CNBC, 8 p.m.) airs its second episode as contestants face off for the opportunity to get a job with British tycoon Sir Alan Sugar. If you want a better version of "The Apprentice" franchise, check out the BBC America series "Dragon's Den" on Thursdays, in which would-be entrepreneurs seek backing for their projects from five UK millionaires. It's a much more interesting format than the artificial tasks contestants are given on "The Apprentice."

'Chuck' Returns

One of my favorite freshman shows of the season returns tonight for what will hopefully NOT be the final two first-run episodes of the season (pending the strike).

"Chuck," the show about a mild-mannered computer repairman who has the entire U.S. intelligence database downloaded into his brain, returns with new episodes on NBC at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., sandwiching a new "Celebrity Apprentice."

"Chuck" deftly mixes comedy and action as the reluctant hero (Zachary Levi) tries to balance his normal life while dealing with his two secret agent handlers (Adam Baldwin, Yvonne Strahovski). Levi brings a terrific, everyman appeal in a starmaking turn. It's a very easy show to catch on with, so tonight might be a good chance to check it out.

Speaking of "Celebrity Apprentice," as critical as I've been of the show the past few seasons, I have to admit that few things will ever compare to the bizarreness of last week's boardroom, as Donald Trump finally encountered a man in Gene Simmons whose ego dwarfed his own.

My guess is that Simmons had gotten sick of appearing on the show and wanted to leave, and this was his best shot. How else to possibly explain his bizarre decision not to bring back TV exec Nely Galan to the boardroom, when Trump was practically begging to fire her and spare Simmons?

Hopefully, the acerbic brit Piers Morgan will stick around a while longer and Omorosa will go sooner rather than later.

THURSDAY'S BEST BETS: "Ugly Betty" (ABC, 8 p.m.) is all-new as our heroine (America Ferrera) tries to pick between her two suitors. The afformentioned Gene Simmons and Gabrielle Union guest star. Following a "Grey's Anatomy" rerun, what is hopefully the last-ever "Big Shots" airs at 10 p.m.

Please Just Say 'You're Fired' Already

It's almost become mandatory that reality shows must produce a so-called "celebrity" edition.

Tonight, "The Apprentice" (NBC, 9 p.m.) is no exception.

Of course, there are no celebrities people might want to see, no Brad Pitt, no George Clooney, hell, no Lindsay Lohan (who'd at least keep things interesting).

Instead, we get country artist Trace Adkins; rocker Gene Simmons; actors Stephen Baldwin and Marilu Henner; model-actress Carol Alt; boxer Lennox Lewis; and reality figures Omarosa and Piers Morgan, among others.

"The Apprentice" has really been on the decline for the past few years. Starting with Donald Trump making his kids his sidekicks, and introducing gimmicks like having the losing team sleep in tents and not replacing project managers, this show really fails to live up to earlier editions.

And with celebrities playing for charity rather than a job with Trump, how much motivation will there be among the contestants, especially since none of them have a business background.

And before anyone blames the writers' strike, this show has been on the books for months.

Time for NBC to tell Trump he's fired.

THURSDAY'S BEST BETS: For old school "ER" (NBC, 10 p.m.) fans, tonight's episode marks a return to the old days, as Gloria Reuben reprises her role as HIV-positive physician's assistant Jeannie Boulet.

Tonight marks what should be another thrilling bowl, as Virginia Tech battles Kansas in the Orange Bowl (Fox, 8 p.m.) C'mon, guys, let's have at least one interesting and close BCS game.

Some Thanksgiving This, Some Turkey That

Just a few brief notes as we head into the holiday...

In case you missed it in today's paper, the second Macon-themed episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" airs Tuesday at 4 p.m. on WMAZ. ...

NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" has announced its lineup of 14 would-be Donald Trump employees: actor Vincent Pastore, rock star Gene Simmons, actor Stephen Baldwin, Nely Galan (former president of Telemundo), actress Marilu Henner, model Carol Alt, country music star Trace Adkins, Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Nadia Comaneci, Playboy Playmate of the Year Tiffany Fallon, Olympic softball gold medalist Jennie Finch, heavyweight boxing champ Lennox Lewis, ‘‘America’s Got Talent’’ judge Piers Morgan and Ultimate Fighting Champion Tito Ortiz. Omorosa, the much-hated "Apprentice" star from Season 1, is also on the list. This show is proof that you can beat a dead horse. ...

"Torchwood" will air its second season in the U.S. starting Jan. 26 on BBC America. This season's guest stars include "Ugly Betty's" Alan Dale and "Buffy's" James Marsters. Also, Freeman Agyeman will reprise her character of Martha Jones in a crossover with "Doctor Who." ...

No posting tomorrow, but check back Friday for my review of "Battlestar Galactica: Razor."

WEDNESDAY'S BEST BETS: "Pushing Daisies" (ABC, 8 p.m.) is only a half-dozen episodes old, and already it's bringing in the cool guest stars: Paul Reubens this week and Molly Shannon next week. It's followed by "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money."

CBS is all new with "Kids Nation," "Criminal Minds" and "CSI: NY."

With the WGA strike, Fox sitcoms are in early reruns, but "Kitchen Nightmares" (Fox, 9 p.m.) is new. Meanwhile, NBC is going with reality shows, leading off with "Phenomenon" and ending with a two-hour "Deal Or No Deal" beginning at 9 p.m.