The fervor of non-stop festivals has begun to subside as fall begins. There are a few things happening locally this weekend but it's the airwaves that are positively action-packed.
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More fall TV premiere madness expect the resolution of many a cliffhanger and several new series starting within the next seven days.
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Tonight:
9 p.m.: "Grey's Anatomy," ABC Now with no T.R. Knight; "C.S.I.," CBS
10 p.m.: "The Mentalist,"CBS
Friday:
8 p.m.: "Ghost Whisperer," CBS; "Law & Order," NBC; "Smallville," The CW
9 p.m.: "Medium," CBS; "Dollhouse," Fox
10 p.m.: "Numb3rs," CBS
Sunday:
8 p.m.: "Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition," ABC; "The Amazing Race," CBS; "The Simpsons," Fox
9 p.m.: "Desperate Housewives," ABC
9:30 p.m.: "American Dad," Fox
10 p.m.: "Brothers & Sisters," ABC; "Cold Case," CBS; "Californication," Showtime
Monday:
9 p.m.: "Lie to Me," Fox
Tuesday:
9 p.m.: "So You Think You Can Dance," Fox
Extra new
Tonight:
"Flash Forward," 8 p.m., ABC
In a nutshell: Everyone on the planet inexplicably loses consciousness for a few minutes, during which many catch a brief glimpse into the future. The show focuses on a handful of lead characters who are all dealing with their premonitions differently.
Reasons to watch: It's one of the more interesting and original premises of all the fall pilots and many critics are comparing the sci-fi premise to "Lost," which will end this spring. Critics are generally into it.
Friday:
"Brothers," 8 p.m., Fox
In a nutshell: A sitcom about former NFL star retires and returns home.
Reasons to watch: You might want to skip this one. Reviews call the writing weak and the show generally unfunny.
Sunday:
"The Cleveland Show," 8:30 p.m., Fox
In a nutshell: Cleveland from "Family Guy" gets his very own spin-off, in which he leaves Loretta in Quahog for his Virginia hometown, son in tow, and reunites with his high school sweetheart, who has two kids of her own.
Reasons to watch: Fans of creator Seth MacFarlane's humor may enjoy it; the show has gotten mixed reviews.
Monday:
"Trauma," 8 p.m., NBC
In a nutshell: Emergency! A drama about first responder paramedics in San Francisco.
Reasons to watch: Not many. Been there, done that look for this one to be canceled before the spring.
Wednesday:
"Hank," 8 p.m., ABC
In a nutshell: "In this economy..." Kelsey Grammer stars in this sitcom about a Wall Street exec that goes broke and has to start over.
Reasons to watch: This economy, I tell you! Sorry, "Frasier" fans, but this looks like a flop.
"The Middle," 8:30 p.m., ABC
In a nutshell: ABC's second Monday night attempt to strike sitcom gold with the former star of a sitcom hit, this time starring "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress Patricia Heaton in a comedy about a family srtuggling to make ends meet.
Reasons to watch: It might actually be funny that's what the critics are saying, anyway. It's being compared to "Malcolm in the Middle," minus the Malcolm.
FEATURE FILM: "(500) Days of Summer"
"I don't like labels." "I don't believe in love." "I don't want to be in a relationship right now but I really like hanging out with you." Anyone who has been in a relationship that warranted an "It's Complicated" status on Facebook will be able to relate to "(500) Days of Summer," a sweet little indie movie that just reached our local Movieplex 59. It chronicles the connection between greeting card writer Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), a temp at the company, from beginning to end. Based on a true story and it's a story that most of us could find written somewhere in our diaries it impeccably captures the exasperating experience that is unrequited love. "(500) Days of Summer" is delightful and the performances are perfection. Just go see it.
WHAT REALLY GRINDS MY GEARS
"Please enjoy the music while your party is reached." No, I don't want to listen to Nickelback's "Photograph" or some obnoxious rap song at a deafening volume while I wait for you to answer the phone. Is there any way to discontinue this service for all cell phone users indefinitely?
WHAT'S HAPPENING
41 West will have live music two nights this weekend, with Tara Graves on Friday from 8 to 11 p.m. and Grew View on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 41 West is open Sundays from 12:30 to 8 p.m. for football games.
Do you know TED? Become acquainted and fill your brain with knowledge at the Labyrinth Press Co.'s TED party at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown on Friday at 7 p.m. Go to Ted.com to learn more.
Free movie at the Opera House! On Friday at 7 p.m., "Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian" will be shown as part of Family Night at the Movies.
The Alloy Orchestra will perform a score to accompany the silent film "The General," with Buster Keaton at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Springville Center of the Arts. Tickets are $10; call 592-9038 to purchase.
It's officially fall when Pumpkinville is back in action. Pumpkinville is having its Apple Cider Festival on Saturday and Sunday, 4830 Sugartown Road in Great Valley. Check out the cider mill, bake your best apple pie and enter it in Sunday's contest (be there by 11:45 a.m.), and enjoy the early fall foliage on the drive there and back.
April Diodato is an OBSERVER Staff Writer and can be reached at aprildiodato@gmail.com.
