Tonight's TV Hot List: Monday, Oct. 4, 2010

House
8/7c Fox
Ordinarily, House isn't one to go by the book, but that's just what he does tonight, when it dawns on him that the secret to whatever's killing his dying patient (Amy Irving), a children's author with suicidal tendencies, can be found in her latest book. Don't be surprised if he discovers why she's suicidal, too. And on the Cuddy-House love front, the dynamic duo confronts their first social situation as a couple when they double date with Wilson and his girlfriend, Sam (Cynthia Watros). — Paul Droesch
Lie to Me
9/8c Fox
It was only three weeks ago that we tucked in the Lightman Group for an autumn nap, but who could have predicted that Lone Star would flame out ? So Cal and company are back a month early. What's new in Season 3? Cal's twitchier than ever, and he's not on very good terms with Foster. Ben Reynolds isn't around either (did he survive his shooting?), and Cal's go-to cop now is the ethically challenged Wallowsky (Monique Gabriela Curnen). And Cal's tactics are edgier, if not dodgy, as well. Tonight, he goes way beyond reading faces as he tries to thwart a bank robbery. — Paul Droesch
The Event
9/8c NBC
Two episodes in and The Event is beginning to look like a dud. Leave aside the ratings, which dropped in the second week; the frequent flashbacks, wooden dialogue and super-scrubbed sheen are doing it in. That said, it is too soon to write it off: Many new shows don't find their groove for half a season. Tonight finds a new detainee (Clea DuVall) front and center as the Martinez administration tries to squeeze Sophia about the detainees' agenda. Collier's doubts, meanwhile, grow deeper. — Jeff Gemmill
Real Housewives of Atlanta
9/8c Bravo
Saved by the belles: It's a return to the drama-mama tales when the soapy real-world show about well-coddled Southern ladies returns for a third season. It's not peachy in Georgia when hushed gossip and catty whispers swirl in response to Kim's tabloid disclosure. This theme continues when an old friend spreads rumors about NeNe, and that's a no-no. Meanwhile, Kandi takes the deep dive into the dating pool, and there's couture shock when NeNe, Kim and Sheree attend a high-style shoe event. Phaedra Parks and Cynthia Bailey join the cast this season. — Dean Maurer
Sins of My Father
9/8c HBO
Growing up with a famous father can be tough, but it's even harder when said patriarch is infamous. Sebastián Marroquín, aka Juan Pablo Escobar, was 16 when his father, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, was killed in 1993. After years in exile and changing his name, Marroquín shares his story in this 2009 documentary that examines their unusual family life, the popular view of Escobar as a "Robin Hood" figure and his meetings with several sons of his father's victims. The film is not rated. — Joe Friedrich
Two and a Half Men
9/8c CBS
Who would've believed it? The house has become a hotbed for meaningless sexual liaisons! Actually, the part that's hard to believe is that this time Alan is the guilty party. Charlie should have known that his dream of Alan finally moving out completely was too good to be true. Alan does move in with Lyndsey, but, after running into Melissa, Alan and his former girlfriend use Charlie's home for sex. You would think Charlie would be happy. After all these years, Alan has become the brother he's always wanted...someone just like him. — Bill Ecklund
American Masters
9/8c PBS
Elia Kazan (think A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront and East of Eden) is one of the greatest filmmakers in history. He's also one of the most controversial, due to his appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings in 1952 as a friendly witness. Here, Martin Scorsese pens a thoughtful Letter to Elia, one-part profile of Kazan and one-part memoir about how Kazan's films impacted him as a young moviegoer. — Jeff Gemmill