Tonight's TV Hot List: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

Modern Family
9/8c ABC
Family ties can be some of the strongest bonds around, but when it comes to the Pritchett clan, they're more like a collection of unraveling loose ends. This is evident tonight when Gloria takes Claire's youngest daughter shopping, but their excursion gets a little uncomfortable when Alex's inquisitive mind goes a little too far. And Phil's heart soars when Jay takes him along to fly his new model airplane — until a tricky maneuver brings Phil crashing back to earth. — Joe Friedrich
CSI: NY
10/9c CBS
Skeet Ulrich guest stars in a recurring role as compass-happy killer Hollis Eckhart, a mad man who initially leaves bodies at both the north and south ends of the city. The locations provide a lot of crime-scene cleaning for newbie Haylen Becall (Sarah Carter), who is anxious to prove her skills and get a job as a CSI. — Tim Holland
Top Chef: Las Vegas
10/9c Bravo
We were left hungry last week when the "Watch What Happens" network aired a repeat of this palatable series. But our galloping gourmets are ripe for a tasty new outing tonight, marked by a first challenge that's a perfect fit for Sin City. The chefs try to hit the jackpot when the results of a slot machine define the guidelines for the quickfire challenge. In the following feat, they serve up a special dinner for a culinary-council collective that includes Tom Douglas, Nancy Silverton, Govind Armstrong, Takashi Yagihashi and celeb foodie Tyler Florence (who also serves as the guest judge). — Dean Maurer
So You Think You Can Dance
8/7c Fox
No doubt the bad auditions have their fans, if only for the train-wreck qualities, but now that we've finally reached Las Vegas for the first round of callbacks, the only things to get derailed from now on are dreams. Sure, the heartbreak will be real for those who don't make it, but for the contestants who do, it's a chance to dance another day — or at least for the next two rounds of callbacks on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. — Joe Friedrich
Secret Girlfriend
10:30/9:30c Comedy Central
If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a twentysomething single guy whom women love — or you are a twentysomething single guy whom women love, and can't get enough of yourself — check out this new comedy, based on a Web series of the same name, that makes the viewer the central character (see above). Tonight's premiere introduces your scheming friends, Phil and Sam, who do their best to help you forget your ex, Mandy, while you pursue another woman you meet on a late-night beer run. — Joe Friedrich