Tonight's TV Hot List: Monday, Jan. 17, 2011

Skins
10/9c MTV
The American adaptation of this provocative teen drama from across the pond makes its highly anticipated U.S. debut, and while the series, known for its frank depictions of teen sex and substance abuse, has been toned down for American audiences, the racy — and occasionally raunchy — premiere tells us that it will no doubt continually push the boundaries of basic cable. — Karen Kelty
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Being Human

9/8c Syfy
So, a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost decide to become roomies in a Boston townhouse.... If you're waiting for a punchline, there isn't one. That's the premise of this Americanized version of the BBC drama. In the likable series premiere, a gruesome night out prompts two male monsters to seek a common address, and they find a rental property with an otherworldly amenity. — Michael Chant
Piers Morgan Tonight
9/8c CNN
Onetime British journalist-turned-TV presenter Piers Morgan, known on these shores primarily for his work as an America's Got Talent  judge, makes his debut as the host of CNN's new flagship talk show, taking over the slot long held by Larry King. His first guest: Oprah Winfrey, who's currently undertaking the difficult task of launching her own cable network. He sits down with Howard Stern tomorrow, Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday, Ricky Gervais on Thursday and George Clooney on Friday. — Jeff Gemmill
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Harry's Law

10/9c NBC
Kathy Bates is perfectly cast as irascible attorney Harriet "Harry" Korn in David E. Kelley's new legal drama, which is offbeat but full of humanity. Harry is a top patent lawyer who, in the opener, is fired and opens up her own practice in a shoe store in a tough part of Cincinnati. Her first case doesn't land on her desk, but on, well, Harry, in the form of a young drug offender who tries to commit suicide. Harry breaks his fall, and then proceeds to mend his broken life and spirit by defending him. — Bill Ecklund
House
8/7c Fox
When we left Greg and the gang, House and Cuddy were back on course, however tenuously. There are certain to be weekly complications, of course, and tonight's is the arrival of Cuddy's mother (Candice Bergen). You can assume she'll create friction. The other major development involves hospital poster boy Taub (he's featured in ads appearing on billboards), whose marriage, shaky at best, was rattled badly last time. Martha Masters (Amber Tamblyn) will help him try to stabilize it. Scooby-Doo vet Matthew Lillard plays the mysteriously dying patient. — Paul Droesch

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Heavy10/9c A&E The network's growing genre of series about people struggling with problems that make living a struggle has a new series to add to the mix. The honestly titled Heavy follows 22 individuals dealing with obesity who commit to a healthy regimen for six months. The opener profiles two 37-year-olds from Houston. — Bill Ecklund

NBA Basketball
8/7c TNT
A day of wall-to-wall basketball begins with 10 matinee games before TNT presents its traditional Martin Luther King Jr. Day doubleheader, featuring two rematches from last season's playoffs. Stan Van Gundy's revamped Magic visit reigning Eastern champ Boston, which is out to avenge its most recent holiday performance, an 86-78 Christmas Day loss in Orlando. The nightcap has scoring leader Kevin Durant and the young-and-hungry Oklahoma City Thunder rumbling into Tinseltown to face Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, who quieted the Thunder in six games to start last spring's title run. — Roger Leister