New Premieres This Week in TV: January 15th – 21st

Sunday, January 15^th

The 69^th Annual Golden Globes Awards, special awards show from 8 to 11pm on NBC

- The never-boring multi-talented Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Ricky Gervais (The Office, The Ricky Gervais Show) returns for the third time as host to continue insulting every celebrity possible in this entertaining awards show honoring what the Foreign Press deems to be the best movies and television shows of the past year. Black and white silent film The Artist leads the movie nominations with 6 nods, following closely behind are The Descendants (starring Best Actor nominee George Clooney) and The Help (starring Best Actress nominee Viola Davis and Best Supporting Actress nominee Octavia Spencer) with 5 nods each. Clooney’s other film The Ides of March, was also a big hit, garnering him nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay. In the TV category for best drama, new shows came out on top with Showtime’s Homeland, FX’s American Horror Story and Starz’s Boss all nominated in addition to HBO’s Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire. They all edged out perrenial favorites Dexter, Breaking Bad and House, Mad Men didn’t air a new season within this year’s awards show qualifying time frame. Best comedy series included Fox’s Glee and New Girl, along with ABC’s Modern Family. Showtime’s Episodes and HBO’s Enlightened also made the cut.

Napoleon Dynamite, series premiere at 8:30pm on FOX

- An animated series based on the hit film, Napoleon Dynamite follows the comic adventures of America’s most awesomely awkward teenager and his offbeat family and friends as they navigate small-town life in rural Idaho. Whether he’s facing down bullies or discovering the meaning of friendship, Napoleon (voice of Jon Heder) proves that true heroes follow their own path – especially when they have secret ninja skills from the government. The original cast from the film – Heder, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Sandy Martin, Jon Gries and Diedrich Bader – return to voice their roles, and many new characters will be added along the way.

Monday, January 16^th

Revolution, series premiere at 2pm on ABC

- ABC’s new daytime show follows in the likes of The Chew starring a large all-star multi-talented cast consisting of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s Ty Pennington, Project Runway’s iconic Tim Gunn, celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, OB-GYN Jennifer Ashton and therapist Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry. The Revolution is an uplifting, inspiring, and groundbreaking new daily show about health and lifestyle transformations co-hosted by a stellar team of experts who will help viewers with complete transformations in all areas of their lives. It focuses on improving your physical and emotional well-being, fashion, family, home design, personal finance, food, jobs and more. In addition to being a motivating and interactive resource for viewers at home, the show features a unique concept: each week one woman’s five-month weight loss journey will unfold in just five days with daily results and a final transformation reveal on Friday. This show is your daily boost, whether you are looking for inspiration to accomplish little victories or you need a road map for a major change.

Alcatraz, 2-hour series premiere at 8pm on FOX

- From executive producer J.J. Abrams (Fringe, Lost, Star Trek and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and writer and executive producer Elizabeth Sarnoff (Lost and Deadwood) comes this chilling new thriller centered on America’s most infamous prison and one-time home to the nation’s most notorious murderers, rapists, kidnappers and thieves. When San Francisco Police Department Det. Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones, Sons of Anarchy) is assigned to a grisly homicide case, a fingerprint leads her to a shocking suspect: Jack Sylvane, a former Alcatraz inmate who died decades ago. Madsen’s interest is immediately piqued, and once the enigmatic, knows-everything-but-tells-nothing government agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill, Jurassic Park) tries to impede her investigation, she’s doggedly committed. Madsen turns to Alcatraz expert and comic book enthusiast, Dr. Diego “Doc” Soto (Jorge Garcia, Lost), to piece together the inexplicable sequence of events. The twosome discovers that Sylvane is not only alive, but he’s loose on the streets of San Francisco, leaving bodies in his wake. And strangely, he hasn’t aged a day since he was in Alcatraz. Madsen and Soto reluctantly team with Agent Hauser and his technician, Lucy Banerjee (Parminder Nagra, ER), to stop Sylvane’s vengeful killing spree. By delving into Alcatraz history, government cover-ups and Rebecca’s own heritage, the team will ultimately discover that Sylvane is only a small part of a much larger, more sinister present-day threat. For while he may be the first, it quickly becomes clear that Sylvane won’t be the last prisoner to reappear from Alcatraz.

Betty White’s 90^th Birthday: A Tribute to America’s Golden Girl, special event from 8 to 9:30pm on NBC

- In an all-new all-star special, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars — including Mary Tyler Moore, Hugh Jackman, Jay Leno, Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett — gather to celebrate Betty White’s 90th birthday. White’s “Hot in Cleveland” co-stars Valerie Bertinelli, Wendy Mallick and Jane Leeves, along with her “Mary Tyler Moore” co-stars Ed Asner, Valerie Harper and Gavin MacLeod, will also be on hand, along with Joel McHale, William Shatner and many more.

Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, special preview at 9:30pm on NBC

- Forget everything you thought you knew about the older generation. Betty White’s Off Their Rockers takes senior stereotypes and blows them out of the water with a cast of sassy septuagenarians who are hip, sexy and ready to party! America’s favorite comedy sweetheart sends a fearless band of senior citizens to the streets to pull shockingly hilarious pranks on the younger generation in Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, an outrageously funny “hidden camera” show unlike anything viewers have ever seen. White, a seven-time Emmy Award winner, will star in and executive produce the series, adapted from the hit Belgium series Benidorm Bastards. “People have been telling me that I’m ‘off my rocker’ for years,” says White. “Now I can prove it!”

Tuesday, January 17^th

Remodeled, series premiere at 9pm on The CW

- Modeling industry veteran Paul Fisher is planning to bring together hundreds of small agencies around the world in a new venture called The Network. The Network will give Paul the leverage to change the industry from the inside out. He has two missions: to make sure agents in small towns no longer get screwed, and to empower models to take control of their careers and lead healthier lives.

Justified, season premiere at 10pm on FX

- Developed by Graham Yost and starring Timothy Olyphant, this modern-day Western is based on the works of crime novelist Elmore Leonard, including Leonard’s short story Fire in the Hole. In Season 2, Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens (Olyphant) squared off against criminal matriarch Mags Bennett (Margo Martindale’s won an Emmy Award-winning role). The end of Season 2 brought about the end of the Bennett family’s hold over Harlan County and the return of Raylan’s old nemesis/friend Boyd Crowder to the criminal life. This season, Boyd and his crew will find they aren’t the only ones making a play to rule the Harlan underworld. Now Raylan finds himself facing off against dirty politicians, hidden fortunes, a mysterious man named “Limehouse” and an enterprising and lethal criminal from the Motor City.

Southland, season premiere at 10pm on TNT

- Head back to the streets of Los Angeles for the new, explosive season of Southland, the critically acclaimed drama series from Emmy-winning producer John Wells (ER, The West Wing). Chronicling the lives of LAPD officers and detectives like no other series on television, this powerful, intensely emotional drama stars Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie, along with special guest star Lucy Liu. Since premiering in 2009, Southland has redefined the police drama with its raw, authentic look at the lives and work of Los Angeles detectives and beat cops. The show centers on four main characters: Officer John Cooper (Cudlitz), a seasoned cop who will have to prove himself again after recovering from surgery; Officer Ben Sherman (McKenzie), who still has much to learn after recently completing his training rotation; Detective Lydia Adams (King), whose unending caseload hits closer to home; and Sammy Bryant (Hatosy), a former detective who decided to go back to being a uniform cop after the traumatic death of his partner. Shot on location in the streets and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Southland captures a realistic, natural environment where similar situations can and often do occur in real life.

White Collar, midseason premiere at 10pm on USA

- In the summer finale, Neal and Mozzie must stay one step ahead of the FBI while appearing to work with them in order to keep them from discovering that they possess the treasure. They manage to throw Peter off the scent for the time being, but with the Feds slowly closing in, Mozzie decided he’s waited long enough. Mozzie gave Neal an ultimatum – leave with him, and the treasure, in 48 hours, or stay in Manhattan with Peter. Time to choose a side. Meanwhile, when the feds tracked the Degas to a black market arms trafficker, Peter cut Neal out of the inner circle. Out of the loop but not out of options, Neal devised his most daring plan yet to replace the Degas with a forgery, thus erasing any connection to Neal, Mozzie, and the treasure. However, Keller is still lurking in the Manhattan shadows, and he’ll do anything to possess the treasure. In the midseason premiere, Neal is forced to come clean with Peter about the hidden cache in order to save Elizabeth.

Ink Master, series premiere at 10pm on Spike

- Hosted by rock legend Dave Navarro and judged by icons of the tattoo world, Chris Nunez and Oliver Peck, 10 of the country’s most creative and skilled tattoo artists descend on NYC to compete for a hundred thousand dollars and the title of Ink Master. The stakes couldn’t be higher with ‘Living Canvasses’ donating their skin to be permanently marked in this adrenalized competition elimination.

Wednesday, January 18^th

American Idol, 2-hour season premiere at 8pm on FO

- The most-watched TV series in the past 10 years has rebounded after some rocky ratings following Simon Cowell’s and Paula Abdul’s departure, which bounced back when the audience opened up to its new panel of judges. Season 10 of the country’s biggest singing competition series (yes, even the much-hyped The X Factor could not dethrone Idol from the top spot) brings Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson together to judge contestants on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, mentors the finalists each week and lends his expertise, and Ryan Seacrest continues to host the show for his tenth season.

Mistresses, season premiere at 10pm on BBC America

- The sexy, sophisticated drama Mistresses is back for a final season. But all has changed as Katie, Trudi, Siobhan and Jessica are no longer friends. But what could have caused these friends to split? Katie, the group’s emotional rock, is back from time spent in Australia and ready to put her failed relationship with Dan behind her. However, her meticulously-organized life changes with the arrival of her widowed mother Vivienne. Trudi is struggling with finding a solid balance between family life and her successful baking business. When an investor proposes to buy the bakery, she isn’t sure she’s willing to give it all up. Also enjoying motherhood is Siobhan, but such family bliss is interrupted when her former lover and the father of her child, Dominic, returns to town—to announce his engagement to New York socialite Alice. Jessica is desperate to have a family with her husband, Mark. But after suffering a miscarriage 18 months earlier and Mark’s financial difficulties, she’s left second guessing her IVF plans. Having been through their fair share of torment and loneliness and love and excitement over the years, the bond between these four women once seemed unshakable. Katie asks them to come together with the hope of addressing what’s happened in the last year, but will old secrets leave them wishing they never reconnected?

Royal Pains, midseason premiere at 10pm on USA

Thursday, January 19^th

Unsupervised, series premiere at 10:30pm on FX

- Unsupervised is an animated, half-hour comedy about two eternally optimistic best friends Gary and Joel, who are navigating the harsh landscape of adolescence and trying to do what’s right despite having no parental guidance whatsoever. Gary’s father took off years ago and left him with his absentee stepmom, while Joel’s elderly parents remain unseen and uninvolved. And the adults that are actually present in Gary and Joel’s lives are anything but role models. At first glance, Gary and Joel’s world may be bleak but their worldview is bright as they guide themselves through life with each other to depend on. Unsupervised features the voices of Justin Long as Gary, David Hornsby as Joel, Kristen Bell as Megan, Rob Rosell as Russ and Romany Malco as Darius.

Friday, January 20^th

Shark Tank, season premiere at 8pm on ABC

- The Sharks are back to continue their search to invest in the best products and businesses that America has to offer. The critically acclaimed Shark Tank gives budding entrepreneurs the chance to make their dreams come true, and possibly make a business deal that will make them a millionaire. Season Three continues to make TV history, with the Sharks offering over $6.2 million of their own money in investment deals to bankroll a creative array of innovative entrepreneurs. Billionaire Mark Cuban, owner and chairman of HDNet and outspoken owner of the 2010-2011 NBA championship Dallas Mavericks, returns as a Shark in all 13 episodes. Also, Lori Greiner, a prolific inventor of retail products and often referred to as the “Queen of QVC,” will join the show as a guest Shark investor for three episodes. Returning “Sharks” joining Cuban and Greiner are real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion and branding expert Daymond John and venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, who we all know has also been called Mr. Wonderful (by himself, of course).

Saturday, January 21^st

Bayou Billionaires, series premiere at 9pm on CMT

- In a modern day rags to riches story, Bayou Billionaires tells the story of the Dowdens of Shreveport, LA – a hardworking family of modest means who recently discovered their home sits on the fourth largest deposit of natural gas in the United States. After years of pinching pennies and balancing budgets, the over-the-top Dowdens are ready to enjoy the finer things in life, sparing no expense. Bayou Billionaires follows Gerald and Kitten and the rest of their family as they experience the perks of belonging to a brand new tax bracket. The close-knit Dowden family includes a colorful cast of characters who each have their own plans for living the American dream. Led by patriarch, Gerald, and matriarch, Kitten, the family includes daughter Valerie, an outspoken, single mother of three who works for the public defender’s office in Shreveport; daughter Chantel and her offbeat, live-in boyfriend Albert (aka Carl; aka Jimmy) whose hilarious exploits and anecdotes keep things very, very interesting; adventurous son Gerald Jr. and his wife Peggy; and the youngest son Thomas, who admits to being his mother’s favorite, and his wife Mallory. Kitten’s 90-year-old father, Grandpa, is a ladies’ man who often spends his time talking on the phone to his many girlfriends.

An Idiot Abroad 2: The Bucket List, season premiere at 10pm on Science

- This travel documentary series stars Karl Pilkington, a household name thanks to the The Ricky Gervais Show podcasts. The franchise’s second installment comes on the heels of the first season of An Idiot Abroad, which became the Science Channel’s most-watched series ever in 2011. After his tour of the Seven Wonders of the World, Pilkington could be considered an international jetsetter, however, his recent global exposure has made him even more resistant to the call of the open road.  Nevertheless, world-class tormentors Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant prove that one man’s anguish can be another man’s amusement, as they send him around the world to fulfill his Bucket List. However, the list – compiled by Gervais and Merchant – is geared more toward the personal torture of Pilkington than it is for his personal fulfillment. Over eight episodes, Pilkington attempts to survive challenges including bungee jumping, taming cobras and swimming with sharks – solely for the amusement of his “friends” back in London. Now Karl can only hope that his quest to accomplish the definitive list of “things to do before you die” doesn’t kill him first.

Dancing With the Stars, syndication premiere at 6pm on GSN

- For the first time on television since they debuted, the past seasons of this sensational series will be shown in their entirety. All the sexy stars, all the beautiful dances and all the heart-pounding excitement can now be seen on GSN. So, whether you’re enjoying them once again, or if you’re catching them for the very first time, don’t miss a single episode. The syndication premiere begins with Season 4 aka the season of winners Apollo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough.

New Premieres This Week in TV: January 2nd – 8th

Monday, January 3^rd

The Bachelor, season premiere from 8 to 10pm on ABC

- The self-proclaimed “most controversial season of The Bachelor so far” all hinges on the fact that the infamous season 11 bachelor Brad Womack who chose NOBODY in the end has come back to find his wife after three years of self-reflection and intensive therapy. After Brad left both Jenni Croft and DeAnna Pappas crying and alone in the season finale, he was the most hated man in America. Thereafter, Brad describes a journey of working on his commitment issues, which all stem from being abandoned by his father as a child. The biggest challenge for Brad? Proving to the new bachelorettes that he is really a changed man and that he won’t have a problem picking a woman he loves to be his wife. He also has to prove that he isn’t a total a**hole.

Pretty Little Liars, midseason premiere at 8pm on ABC Family

- In the little town of Rosewood, four estranged friends are hiding dark secrets that, if exposed, could ruin their almost-perfect lives. One year ago, Alison, the Queen Bee of their group, disappeared and the girls swore they’d never tell what really happened that night. They thought their secrets would bond them together, but just the opposite is true. Now, as the mystery surrounding Alison’s disappearance resurfaces, the girls begin getting messages from “A,” saying – and threatening – things only Alison would know. But it couldn’t be Alison. Could it? Whoever it is, they seem to know all the girls’ secrets, and seem to be watching their every move. In the summer finale, a new piece of evidence led the police to officially announce that Toby Cavanaugh is wanted for the murder of Alison DiLaurentis, though Emily, Spencer, Aria and Hanna have their doubts they’ve nabbed the right suspect. When Hanna is abruptly dumped from the guest list of Mona’s birthday party, the rest of the girls plan to attend to scope out the scene and see if “A” is also in attendance. Later, Hanna sneaks into the party and finally spots the elusive “A” leaving behind a clue, but shortly thereafter “A” retaliates by running her over with a car.

Greek, season premiere at 9pm on ABC Family

- The ABC Family original dramedy follows the students at Cyprus-Rhodes University whose life focuses on the social minefield that is the Greek system, centering on the fictional fraternities, Kappa Tau Gamma (ΚΤΓ) and Omega Chi Delta (ΩΧΔ), and the fictional sorority, Zeta Beta Zeta (ΖΒZ). The show stars active Zeta member Casey (played by Kelsey Grammer’s daughter Spencer), who is in a love triangle with Kappa Cappie and Omega Chi President Evan all throughout college. At the end of last season the Gamma Psi (ZBZ’s rival) house burns down, and the ZBZ house is to blame but eventually Casey breaks down from the guilt and confesses what happened. In the final episode Cappie tells Casey he loves her and wants to lavaliere her. Casey she tells him she’s decided to go away to George Washington Law School after all, sending Cappie into a rage and ending with him breaking up with her. The fourth and final season opens with Casey, Evan, & Ashleigh‘s graduation day from Cyprus-Rhodes and Casey preparing to move away to Washington, DC.

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, season premiere at 9pm on Food Network

- As host of the hit primetime game show Minute to Win It, it’s a wonder that the bleach-haired Guy Fieri also finds the time to host three other shows on the Food Network! The season 2 winner of The Next Food Network Star is certainly taking that title seriously. Diners, Drive-ins and Dives are popular again thanks to faithful baby boomers, a slew of younger fans and a whole new generation of owners. Hit the road with Guy as he travels across the country visiting classic “greasy spoon” spots, from a roadside shack in Tarpley, Texas to a Las Vegas sports bar with stellar stromboli.

In The Bedroom With Dr. Laura Berman, series premiere at 10pm on OWN

- Dr. Laura Berman wants you to have great sex. With more than 20 years of experience as a sex educator, researcher and therapist, Dr. Berman has the tips and tricks you and your partner need to uncover what’s really going on between the sheets. Watch as this New York Times best-selling author and a Sirius XM radio host makes house calls to help couples confront their intimacy issues head on. No issue is off limits with Dr. Berman and she isn’t afraid to talk specifics.

Tuesday, January 4^th

The Biggest Loser: Couples, season premiere from 8 to 10pm on NBC

- The 10^th season of the hit reality competition series revolves around the new theme of “paying it forward” and 21 contestant hopefuls vying for a spot at the ranch to get healthy and change their lives forever. With obesity now one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, The Biggest Loser wanted to broaden their reach this season, pay it forward and motivate communities – not just contestants – to get healthy. So trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels and host Alison Sweeney travel to seven cities in the premiere episode to put contestant hopefuls through fitness challenges. The two candidates who complete their fitness challenge first win a spot at the ranch. Those who don’t make it will get a chance to vie for a spot on the show in a later episode. The new season players include Burgandy (Eagle Mountain, Utah), a military wife, foster parent and mother of five; Aaron (Kent, Ohio), the son of an alcoholic who hopes to be a better role model to his own son; and Montina (Houston, Texas), a background vocalist for Beyonce who wants to look as good as she sounds.

Live to Dance, series premiere from 8 to 10pm on CBS

- Paula Abdul, the beloved former judge on American Idol, is taking her star power and legion of worshippers to a new network to host a reality competition series that is trying to compete with So You Think You Can Dance but really is just a dance-only version of America’s Got Talent. Primarily known as The Paula Abdul Dance Show because Paula is executive producer, creative partner and lead expert for Live to Dance. Oh wait, I almost forgot there are other people on this show besides Paula: rounding out the judges’ panel is Travis Payne, choreographer for Michael Jackson, and founding member of Pussycat Dolls Kimberly Wyatt. Also, an Australian cutie named Andrew Günsberg will take up hosting duties. The show invites dancers with raw ability, in any age group from across the nation (either performing solo or in a group) can audition in any form of dancing – ballet to break dance, tap to tango, or show us something we’ve never seen before with your own unique fusion of styles – rock ballet, hip-hop clogging or contemporary mixed with capoeira. The most talented dancers who make it through the callback process will have the chance to perform live on CBS in the semi-finals and finals, where they will battle for the right to be crowned LIVE TO DANCE champion and be awarded a $500,000 prize.

V, season premiere at 9pm on ABC

- Despite less-than-stellar ratings at the end of its first season, V is returning for a short 10-episode second season that promises to be sharper and more intriguing. The remake of the 1983 miniseries chronicles the arrival on Earth of a technologically advanced alien species which ostensibly comes in peace, but actually has sinister motives. The Visitors, led by their charismatic High Commander Anna, came bearing gifts of medical miracles and technological breakthroughs far beyond our wildest imaginations. As the world’s fascination with the V’s grew, Counterterrorism agent Erica Evans discovered a secret hidden beneath the skin of every V – a secret that may threaten the lives of everyone close to her, including her teen son Tyler who is in a romantic relationship with Anna’s daughter Lisa. Erica assembled a group of people skeptical of the V’s intentions and joined the Fifth Column, V’s living on earth who have turned against Anna’s leadership. Together, they plot to bring down Anna before the V’s are able to carry out their doomsday plan for Earth.

Permanent Mark, series premiere at 11pm on SPIKE

- His name is “Permanent Mark” and he travels the globe seeking out the most unique and the strangest tattoos known to man. Follow tattoo artist Mark Walters as he travels the globe on a quest to find the great masters of tattooing. See how far he’ll go and how much pain he’ll endure for the chance to experience the world’s best ink.

Southland, season premiere at 10pm on TNT

- The gritty “too real for TV” cop drama cancelled by NBC shortly before its second season aired is now embarking on its third season after being rescued by TNT. From Emmy Award winners John Wells, Ann Biderman and Chris Chulack comes a raw and authentic look at a police unit in Los Angeles. From the beaches of Malibu to the streets of East Los Angeles, Southland is a fast-moving drama that will take viewers inside the lives of cops, criminals, victims and their families. Michael Cudlitz (A River Runs Through It) plays John Cooper a seasoned Los Angeles cop, assigned to train young rookie Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie, The O.C.). Cooper’s honest, no-nonsense approach to the job leaves Sherman questioning whether or not he has what it takes to become a police officer. The season 3 opener finds Officer Cooper battling personal demons, dodging bullets during a bank robbery and responding to a violent confrontation at a toy store.

Wednesday, January 5^th

Minute to Win It, moved to new night on Wednesdays at 8pm on NBC

People’s Choice Awards 2011, special awards show from 9 to 11pm on CBS

- Sure, celebrities love to be honored by their industry, but what they really live for is the validation of ordinary citizens. Queen Latifah hosts, Kid Rock and Diddy-Dirty Money (is that supposed to be P. Diddy/Diddy? Stop changing your name dude, you will always be P. Diddy!) perform, and stars like Ashton Kutcher and Stephen Moyer present trophies. See if your esteemed favorites like Inception and guilty pleasures (Jersey Shore!) pick up trophies tonight. As much as I love any excuse to see the cast of Jersey Shore, I won’t be tuning in because I can’t bear to watch the cast of Twilight win any more undeserved awards, especially the stupidly awkward Kristen Stewart who is painful to watch.

Are We There Yet?, season premiere at 10pm on TBS

- The TBS comedy series is loosely based on the 2005 film of the same name and its 2007 sequel Are We Done Yet? America’s favorite blended family is back in the neighborhood for a second season. Terry Crews and Essence Atkins star in this popular sitcom as a newly married couple adjusting to life as newlyweds and the complexities of raising children, while also dealing with the everyday challenges of romance, friendship and the drama of extended family. Teala Dunn and Coy Stewart co-star as Nick and Suzanne’s children, 14-year-old Lindsey and 10-year-old Kevin. Keesha Sharp is Suzanne’s best friend and coworker, Gigi, who has a taste for men and the finer things in life. Special guest star, Ice Cube will return as Suzanne’s brother, Terrence.

Thursday, January 6^th

Winter Wipeout, season premiere at 8pm on ABC

- The sadistically hilarious summer fave returns for a new run filled with snowy, wintery obstacles (“Nana’s House” and “Snowplow Sweeper” are ice-cold brutal) and John Henson’s subversively salty quips. Snowflakes aren’t the only things falling and flying through the air, as snow balls are hurled at contestants, who are themselves literally launched into the frozen tundra. Expect an avalanche of laughs as they take on a spinning ski lift, try to outrun polar bears and avoid hockey pucks to the head — all in a completely new winter Wipeout Zone and amid a snowy blizzard — on this winterized version of Wipeout. And of course, there are the big balls…it just wouldn’t be Wipeout without the big red balls.

Ace of Cakes, season premiere at 10pm on Food Network

- Be sure to tune in for the 10^th and final season of this reality show for sweet tooths. Meet Chef Duff. Shaping cakes with drill saws and blowtorches, and staffing his bakery with fellow rock musicians, he’s not your typical baker. However, he’s one of the most sought-after decorative cake makers in the country. Every week at Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, Duff and his team of artists try to meet the demands of creating up to 20 cakes a week, some of which take up to 29 hours to build! From a tilted Dr. Seuss-like seven-tiered wedding cake to an almost perfect replica of Wrigley Field, Duff can build it. Go behind the scenes to see how he and his fellow cake bakers dish up sugar and spice in the most unexpected and entertaining ways.

Jersey Shore, season premiere at 10pm on MTV

- It’s T-shirt time! New Jersey’s most recognizable guidos are reunited and returning to Seaside, NJ – where all the fist-pumping magic began and a pop culture phenomenon was born – for the hit reality show’s third season. This outrageous and hilarious dysfunctional family goes back to work at the tee-shirt shop, kicks back in their original shore house and picks up right where it left off. Even though they’re still experiencing some fallout from “the note” in Miami, nothing can stop the family dinners, G.T.L and gorilla hunting that have bonded them from the beginning. All seven roomies agree they are glad to be back and that Angelina is gone. Too bad none of them know Snooki has invited her BFF Deena Nicole Cortese to fill the void. This cast is about to double their pleasure because like her diminutive, fireball bestie Snooki, Deena is going to prove that big fun and big drama continue to come in small packages. More zany and entertaining than ever, these roommates are going to hit the boardwalk, beat up the beat in the club and continue to prove that while you can summer a lot of places — the Jersey Shore is truly unforgettable.

Friday, January 7^th

Your OWN Show: Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star, series premiere at 9pm on OWN

- Ten contestants with determination, passion and drive were plucked from obscurity from thousands of auditions to compete to get their own TV show on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Hosts Nancy O’Dell and Carson Kressley guide the hopefuls through intense challenges designed to see if they have what it takes to have their own show. In each episode, the contestants are mentored by A-list hosts. Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Gayle King and more will make appearances on the series, bestow knowledge to the contestants and judge the episodes. Challenges will range from booking interviews and researching story ideas to successfully completing a pilot presentation. The winner will get his or her very own show!

Merlin, season premiere at 10pm on Syfy

- This fantasy drama series updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience. The mythical city of Camelot is a fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious peoples. A dangerous world in which magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon. When Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives in the kingdom, he quickly makes enemies, including the heir to Uther’s crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur. But guided by Uther’s wise physician, Gaius, Merlin is soon using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot’s mystical secrets. As he does so, he discovers that his destiny and that of the kingdom’s young leader in waiting, Arthur, are inextricably linked.

Four Weddings, season premiere at 10pm on TLC

- What happens when four brides and four weddings compete against each other for the honeymoon of their dreams? Every bride thinks she’s having the perfect wedding, but what if four brides agree to be guests at each other’s weddings to decide which is best? Tune into find out as these brides score each other’s big day for a fabulous honeymoon vacation prize.

Saturday, January 8^th

It’s Me or the Dog, season premiere at 8pm on Animal Planet

- From unruly retrievers to pampered pugs, renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell has seen them all. But what about the owners who live with them? It’s not just the dogs that need help! This reality series follows Victoria Stilwell as she tries to restore harmony in homes where pets are running riot and the family is in the dog house. The season premiere features The Real Housewife of New York star Jill Zarin, who feeds her chubby Chihuahua Ginger expensive human food like filet minon on a daily basis.