They say "Everything's Bigger in Texas," which happens to be the episode title for the premiere of Bravo's Texas-set ninth season of Top Chef (10/9c). And it also may explain why a ginormous platoon of 29 chef-testants descends on the historic Alamo for the first round of competition, and why the process of narrowing the field to a Top 16 can't even be contained within the first pulse-pounding episode.
read more
Fasten your recliner belts. With Labor Day behind us, it's time for some heavy TV lifting as new seasons begin and summer seasons continue to wrap things up. TV Guide Magazine's Fall Preview issue is out this week, which means the "regular" TV season is just around the corner. But there's still plenty to watch right now. Here's a quick look at the highlights for the rest of the week in TV.
read more
Dancing with the Stars
9/8c ABC
"Unpredictable" best describes this show's 11th season, which has been full of surprising eliminations (Brandy and Audrina), new themes both good (the Instant Dance) and bad (TV theme songs), and cast bickering (Maks and Carrie Ann). As for the final three, Jennifer Grey, Kyle Massey and Bristol Palin represent a diverse group, consisting of an early favorite, a crowd-pleaser and a novice dancer who grew. After tonight's season finale, one will be described as a champion. Also: Christina Aguilera performs. — Jennifer Sankowski
Read on for previews of NCIS, Nova, Glee, Biggest Loser, Raising Hope and Nick Swardson's Pretend Time.
read more
Glee
8/7c Fox
It's Halloween. What's a Gleek to do? Let's put on The Rocky Horror Picture Show! The reason that New Directions is putting its spin on the 1975 cult classic (at least according to the plot) is that Emma's a big fan and Will wants to impress Emma, so... it's time for "Time Warp." That's Kurt underneath the bald Riff-Raff wig, by the way. Movie alums Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf are in the guest cast, playing station managers at the TV station where Sue Sylvester hurls her "As Sue Sees It" darts. And, yes, Sue's scheming to stop the show. — Paul Droesch
Read on for previews of Stargate Universe, 30 for 30, NBA Basketball, Nova, Dance Cam Slam, Auction Kings.
read more
Parenthood
10/9c NBC
After a delay to mid-season and some casting swaps, the family drama based on Ron Howard's hit 1989 film finally premieres. In the opener, Lauren Graham's character, Sarah Braverman, decides to move back home with her parents, played by Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia. The move thrusts single mom Sarah and her two kids into the midst of a big, colorful extended family. The well-rounded cast also includes Peter Krause, Monica Potter, Dax Shepard and Erika Christensen.
Read on for previews of American Idol, Lost, Nova and Southland.
read more