“CSI”
Thursday 9pm, CBS
When it launched eight years ago, who’d have thought that “CSI” would become one of the biggest juggernauts in 21st century TV? But a juggernaut it is, spawning two successful spin-offs and standing largely responsible for CBS’ practically all-cop-shows-all-the-time line-up. Season 9 starts tonight, and change is in the air. In addition to the exit of Gary Dourdan’s Warrick (even if he survives that season finale neck shot, he ain’t coming back), series lead William Petersen will be phased out by mid-season, replaced by big-time movie star Laurence Fishburne. I know “CSI” fans will miss Petersen’s Grissom, but that’s a total upgrade—Larry’s the shit. The rumor mill also has some returns in the offing, including guest spots by alluring dominatrix Lady Heather, series nemesis the Miniature Killer, and even former “CSI”-er Jorja Fox (Sara), who cameos in the season premiere.
“SNL Thursday Night Live”
Thursday 9:30pm, NBC
“Saturday Night Live” has been buzzworthy the past few weeks thanks to Tina Fey’s uncanny impressions of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin. NBC hopes to keep that buzz flowin’ as the aging late-night show spins off this political primetime mini-series. Up until the election, “SNL” will skew the candidates with sketches and an extended “Weekend Update”-style news parody. It’s unknown whether or not Fey will make an appearance, since she doesn’t actually work for “SNL” anymore. (She’s busy shooting the incomparably awesome “30 Rock.”) But I wouldn’t be surprised if she popped by. It’s good buzz for her, her show, and its exec producer, “SNL”’s Lorne Michaels.
“Life on Mars”
Thursday 10pm, ABC
This new show—yet another Brit hit co-opted by the Yanks—has a cool premise and engaging cast. “Life on Mars” tells the story of a modern-day police detective (Jason O’Mara, “Band of Brothers”) who gets hit by a car and wakes up 35 years in the past. To the cop, this means one of three things: He’s either a time traveler, completely nuts, or in a coma in 2008, dreaming the whole thing. Regardless, he has no choice but to live the life he’s found himself in, and hooks up with the NYPD of 1973. It’s an entirely different world with no computers, no cell phones, and the streets filled with crime—it’s like life on another planet (hence the title). The show has been almost completely re-cast and re-shot since the initial pilot, with only O’Mara staying on board. Joining him now are Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”), Gretchen Mol (one-time ’90s It Girl), and Harvey Keitel (Harvey mother-effing Keitel!).
