What to watch this week

ABC's new and possibly improved Sunday, a new and lucky if it's improved CW network and a new and, well, certainly younger Dr. Who.

All times Central.

All eyes will be on ABC tonight, at least long enough to determine whether “Desperate Housewives” has gotten its mojo back. I'm not exactly this show's No. 1 fan, but judging by tonight's third season premiere, I'd have to say “Housewives” creator Marc Cherry has done everything, short of burning Wisteria Lane to the ground, to get people's gums flapping again (8 p.m., KMBC-9).

  That's followed by “Brothers and Sisters” (9 p.m., KMBC-9), one of the riskiest new shows of the season. It's in a high-profile time period with big stars (Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths) doing the kind of TV show I thought went out of style in the 1990s (family relationship drama).

  Although tonight's premiere is well-written and filled with understated performances from the all-star troupe, I'm not sure that “understated” is what the “Desperate Housewives” audience is looking for. Also, compared with “Housewives,” the pacing on “Brothers and Sisters” struck me as glacial. But with so much riding on this show, I expect ABC will give it time to find its way.

  The CW formally launches this week, with an old favorite, “7th Heaven,” at 7 p.m. Monday on KCWE-29 (that's Channel 7 on most cable systems). It's followed at 8 by “Runaway” starring Leslie Hope and Donnie Wahlberg. Other former WB and UPN shows merged into the new CW schedule and premiering this week are “Gilmore Girls” (7 p.m. Tuesday), “One Tree Hill” (8 p.m. Wednesday), “Smallville” and “Supernatural” (7 and 8 p.m. Thursday) and “WWE Smackdown!” (7 p.m. Friday).

  Look for my review of “Runaway” and NBC's “Heroes” Monday.

  Other reviews to look for this week: “Help Me Help You,” a comedy starring Ted Danson as a shrink, and yes, it's better than it sounds (8:30 p.m. Tuesday, ABC); and “Ugly Betty,” with America Ferrera as an unlikely go-getter in the fashion world (7 p.m. Thursday, ABC).

 

And lest you think cable is taking this lying down, the second season of the BBC remake of “Doctor Who” begins at 8 p.m. Friday on SciFi. I thought season one was a kick and am hoping the show doesn't lose steam with its new Who, played by David Tennant.