Tonight's TV Hot List: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

Undercovers
8/7c NBC
Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw star as a bored married couple who get their groove back by reentering the world of espionage, which the former CIA agents thought they had left behind after retiring five years earlier to open a catering company. Co-creator J.J. Abrams directed the pilot, in which the pair accepts a mission to track down their missing friend and fellow agent, played by Carter MacIntyre. Gerald McRaney, Ben Schwartz and Mekia Cox round out the cast. — Brie Hearn

The Whole Truth
10/9c ABC
Maura Tierney (ER) and Rob Morrow (Numb3rs) have solid recent track records (as does executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer), and legal dramas are always in demand, so ABC doesn't seem to be going too far out on a limb with this one, in which Tierney and Morrow play a prosecutor and defense lawyer who happen to be old friends. The twist, if it is one, is that each week's case is told from both POVs equally. The opening case: A high-school teacher is accused of killing a student. Incidentally, the truth will be revealed after the verdict has been rendered. — Paul Droesch
The Defenders
10/9c CBS
Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell are the main reasons to watch this enjoyable legal drama set in Las Vegas. The two stars shine as Nick Morelli and Pete Kaczmarek, a pair of colorful defense lawyers who take on a wide array of cases, from personal injury to murder. In the opener, a man accused of a deadly shooting rejects a generous plea bargain Nick and Pete worked out for him and insists on going to trial, claiming he is innocent. Making things more difficult, Nick's personal life is falling apart. He thinks his estranged wife is cheating on him. — Tim Holland
Modern Family
9/8c ABC
With a slew of Emmy nods that included awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and supporting actor (Eric Stonestreet), it might be hard to top such an acclaimed first season. This is no ordinary Family, however, and with a crew this talented, a "sophomore slump" is probably out of the question. ABC has been guarded about this Season 2 premiere, but it's a safe bet the laughs will keep on coming as the Dunphys get rid of their old station wagon and Mitchell tries to build a princess castle for Lily. — Joe Friedrich
Criminal Minds
9/8c CBS
The sixth-season picks up where last season's cliffhanger ended, with the hunt for a serial killer who now has a fallen detective's daughter as a hostage. A grizzled Tim Curry is pure evil as serial killer Billy Flynn, who murders families and leaves one member alive. In the May finale, Flynn kidnapped the daughter of the LAPD detective on the case and shot the detective, who made Morgan promise that he will keep his daughter safe. — Bill Ecklund
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
9/8c NBC
Lost actor Naveen Andrews was a guest star on this series last season, and his former co-star, Henry Ian Cusick, shows up for tonight's two-hour 12th season premiere. In the first case, a 10-year-old girl runs away, and Cusick's Eric Weber is found with her. He's immediately fingered as a suspect, but he denies any wrongdoing. Eric is eventually cleared and helps detectives with their next case, which involves a young girl's rape. However, he pushes boundaries with the assistance he gives them. — Jennifer Sankowski
Cougar Town
9:31/8:31c ABC
Lisa Kudrow guest-starred as Jules' mean-spirited dermatologist last season, and now it's Jennifer Aniston's turn for a mini-Friends reunion on the second season premiere. Aniston plays Glenn, a New Agey psychotherapist who convinces Jules they're such kindred spirits that they must have been hatched from the same cosmic egg. Fortunately for Jules, however, a jealous Ellie is around to point out that the flaky doctor's methods are just another case of "physician, heal thyself." — Joe Friedrich