Castle

Now how is this for a “What to watch on TV Tonight” post? The first night of US ratings for 2011/2012

Here is how it was summed up by tvline.com, with Australian times inserted where appropriate.

8pm Dancing With the Stars (ABC) | Season 13 kicks off with 12 new (varying degrees of) celebrities taking to the parquet. TVLine readers ranked the contenders, from “Thanks for stopping by!” to “Start thinking about where you’ll keep that ghastly trophy.” Seven will air Australian version mid-year. We won’t see the American version as Seven have a strict policy of not airing internationaly versions of these shows. Why not let Foxtel do them?

8 pm The Sing-Off (NBC) | Like DWTS, this reality competition will also run two hours every Monday night on US TV. Nick Lachey will once again serve as host, while this year’s panel of judges will be populated by Sara Bareilles, Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman. Check out the 16 groups in contention. Doubt we will see this in Oz. Maybe on Pay Tv?

8 pm How I Met Your Mother (CBS) | The new season launches with back-to-back episodes featuring a funky wedding and a sexy dance number (watch video). Get caught up on TVLine’s legendary amounts of scoop. Seven will hopefully fast track, right?

8 pm Hell’s Kitchen (Fox) | To make room for all of the fall debuts, some shows have to go bye-bye — as this cooking thing does with its two-hour Season 9 finale. Nine or GEM for us?

8 pm Eureka (Syfy) | The penultimate season’s finale features the Astraeus mission launch and the arrival of a new out-of-this-world threat to this Northwest burg. Our Sci-Fi channel soon.

9 pm Two and a Half Men (CBS) | Sheen out, Kutcher in — this we knew. But tonight, see how the swap happens. (Let’s just hope it doesn’t disrupt the show’s complex mythology too much.). Iar on Nine hours later, Tue Spet 20, 8.30pm

9:30 pm 2 Broke Girls (CBS) | This well-reviewed new sitcom, starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs, is getting a very special premiere here, leading out of Men. (It will normally air Mondays at 8:30.) Read my First Impression preview. Nine will air at some stage…

10 pm Castle (ABC) | The season of “explosive” secrets begins now. In case you missed it over the weekend, here’s a piece I did with that jokester Nathan Fillion; check TVLine after the premiere’s West Coast airing for a special something to help lift your jaw off the floor. Seven willl air at some stage – no clue as to whether they will fast track or not.

10 pm Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) | McGarrett’s in jail, but have no fear: John Locke (aka new cast member Terry O’Quinn) may hold the key to his freedom, as Steve’s Navy SEAL mentor. Watch the trailer here. Airs on Ten, Wed Sept 27, 9.30pm. New night, new time. Sundays 8.30 will be Terra Nova. Ten are notorious for moving shows into different tiemlsots!

10 pm The Playboy Club (NBC) | Since offering my First Impression of this ’60s-set series, the pilot’s undergone some changes — largely for the better, I’d say, though I do miss the original, “Ewwww” version of the opening death scene. One thing that hasn’t changed: Tony winner Laura Benanti, as “mother bunny” Carol-Lynne, owns every damn scene she is in. Will air on Pay TV in Australia, but not for a few weeks or longer so they can promote it.

10 pm Roast of Charlie Sheen (Comedy Central) | Because not one joke has been made about the guy in the preceding eight months, right? Channel Nine – Tuesday Sept 20, 9.30pm, after The Joy Of Sets, which airs at 9pm after new Two and a alf Men at 9pm on Nine.

10 pm Fashion Police: The Primetime Emmy Awards (E!) | As long as Nina Dobrev is crowned Best Dressed, it’s all good.

Coming up on Tuesday: NCIS (which we will see on Ten Tue Sept 27, 8.30pm), Glee (which we will see on Ten Wed Sept 21 8.30pm – noy long to go now!), The Biggest Loser…. (next year for us in Australia), NCIS: Los Angeles (after NCIS on TEN), New Girl (Fox) (Australia? No idea at this stage!!!), Raising Hope…(Ten / ELEVEN when? We don’t know yet!). Body of Proof (Seven envetually) and Unforgettable (CBS) (which will air on Nine soon).

Source: tvline.com

Wild Boys, Seven, 7.30pm
Premiere. Follow the lives of four men on the outside of the law in 1860′s outback Australia, as they come up against authority, the rich and greedy, and the weaknesses of their own hearts. After a month away from Hopetoun, Jack and Dan return home to find new Superintendent of Police, Fuller, arriving, causing their existence as bushrangers to come under threat. Jack rekindles his romance with pub owner, Mary, but any hope for a future with her is snuffed out when Fuller captures the Wild Boys.

Grand Designs, ABC1, 7.32pm
Kevin revisits a couple who built two timber houses in London on a long narrow site, overlooking and overlooked by 16 different neighbours, to see if they ended up with their urban oasis, mortgage-free dream.

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation, Ten, 7.30pm
One of Ten’s many timeslot changes of recent times, this show now airs two times a week in the lead up to its perhaps premature season finale next week. Join Shaun Micallef, Amanda Keller, Charlie Pickering and Josh Thomas as they battle against each other in a war of the generations! Tonight’s guests include: Cornelia Frances, Jimeoin, Natalie Tran.

Castle, Seven. 9.30pm season finale
Kate Beckett’s investigation into her mother’s death is reactivated when Hal Lockwood a professional hitman with knowledge of Beckett’s mother’s murder stages a spectacular escape during a court hearing. As police launch a manhunt for Lockwood, Castle and the team uncover evidence of a deeper conspiracy involving a mysterious figure with law enforcement connections who is linked to both Lockwood’s escape and the killing of Johanna Beckett. The search for Lockwood and the quest to identify his co-conspirator leads to a shocking and deadly conclusion.

The Future of Food, SBS ONE, 10.30pm
Travelling to different parts of the globe, this two-part documentary unravels the complicated web of links that binds the world together and asks what needs to happen to avert a major global food crisis.

Seven have made a number of schedule changes for next week, starting with the premiere of Wild Boys on Sunday September 4 at 7.30pm. Wild Boys replaces Highway Patrol and The Force that were airing at that time until last Sunday. Last night’s Highway Patrol even finished with “Next week on Highway Patrol…”.

The two shows have not been rescheduled at this stage,but are likely to turn up on one of the weekday 7.30pm timeslots left free when X Factor settles into a normal weekly routine. 

At 9.30pm on Sunday is the season 3 finale of Castle.

Moving to Monday (September 5), and Suits drops back to the later time of 10.30pm permanently, with a repeat of Castle airing at 9.30pm. Teen Wolf 11.30pm.

No changes for Tuesday, but on Wednesday September 7, Law & Order: LA finds a new night and time at 9.30pm. Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour continues at 8.30pm that night.

Over to Thursday September 8, and Law & Order: LA remains at 9.30pm. That is followed by new series The Truth Behind… at 10.30pm – the first episode looks at Noah’s ark. The series puts the world’s most iconic myths and peculair phenomena to the scientific tests of today. Off The Map remains at 11.30pm.

Sunday September 11, sees Bones air in a double episode with a very typical channel Seven compile where a new episode is followed by a repeat seamlessly joined together in the hope that noone will notice.

The X Factor for its thrid week remains on four nights a week Monday to Thursday 7.30pm. Monday night September 12 is the 3rd Boot Camp episode, then the remaining three nights are “home visits” during which the contesntants of the top 24 travel the world meeting the four judges. The top 24 will be cut down to the top 12.

On Tuesday September 13, Seven will air the 2011 Miss Universe Pageant, held in Sao Paula Brazil from 10.30pm.

Detroit 1-8-7 has its final from 11.30pm, Wednesday September 14. Seven have done well to persist with this series, which initially aired at 9.30pm to low ratings.

Thursday September 15 remains same as September 8.

More Tennis for Seven, with the network airing the Davis Cup live from 11am Friday September 16. And of course, on that night, is the AFL finals at this stage, scheduled for 8.30pm, after Better Homes and Gardens.Please – make it live Seven?

The Renovators, Ten, 8.40pm
Premiere. Welcome to the Warehouse, Australia’s largest set. Over the next three months, 26 renovators will face-off with six houses from hell. The task? To transform these nightmares into real estate gold. 

James May at The Edge Of Space, SBS, 9.30pm
Space buff and Top Gear presenter, James May, always wanted to be an astronaut. Now, 40 years after the first Apollo landings, he gets a chance to fly to the edge of space in a U2 spy plane.

Castle, Seven, 9.40pm
Series Return. During the trial of a murdered socialite, a juror is murdered. When Castle and Beckett learn the juror was poisoned, their investigation uncovers this juror may have not been so innocent. As Castle contemplates how to fix his relationship with Beckett… and finish writing his book, the pair is drawn back together to investigate the murder of a dead man found tangled in tree limbs.

Midsomer Murders, ABC, 8.30pm
Series Return. New DCI John Barnaby arrives in quaint Midsomer. When a local DJ is killed he soon discovers murder and deception are never far away. As the death toll rises, could Barnaby’s first case also be his last?

Bones, Seven, 8.40pm
Series return. After notoriously murdering ‘The Gravedigger’, Jacob Broadsky has his eyes on another victim: a prior suspect who escaped the justice system. More determined than ever to catch Broadsky, Booth uses his military training to beat the sniper at his own game. Will Booth catch Broadsky before he can strike again? Meanwhile, Angela’s father visits the Jeffersonian and insists on naming his unborn grandchild.

How I Met Your Mother
Kal Penn, from House is set to join the cast of How I Met Your Mother this season as a love intrest for Robin. Penn left House to work in the Obama administration as an associate director in public liason. Penn’s arrival of course reunites him with Neil Patrick Harris, who played, well, “Neil Patrick Harris” to his Kumar in the Harold & Kumar films.
HIMYM exec producer Craig Thomas strongly hinted to TVLine in May that Robin would jump back into the dating scene, especially now that her maybe-soul mate Barney had moved on with Nora: “Robin didn’t do a hell of a lot of dating at all [last season]; she was more [immersed in] switching careers,” he said. “Now, Robin, who’s single and is looking forward a little bit, can’t help but wonder if what happened between her and Barney could have been something more had they been more ready.”
Barney growing up a bit via Nora “has not gone unnoticed by Robin, who did not have a serious love interest this past year. She’s definitely going to have to wrestle with that at the start of Season 7.”

Teen Wolf
Teen Wolf has been picked up for a second season by MTV in the United States. Airing here on Channel Seven at 10.30pm on Mondays – it has not had the same success here as it has there, even though reviews were posotive for the show that was a mild spin-off of the 1980′s film. Maybe a move to digital would be better for the teen targeted show.

Being Human
Being Human that debuted on Eleven earlier this month has also been picked up for a second season. It airs Mondays at 9.30pm. 

House
In other House news, Aussie Jesse Spencer has signed on for Season 8 of the medical drama. The producers were apparently desperate to keep him after the departure of Lisa Edelstein who is heading to “The Good Wife”.

Grey’s Anatomy
Even if Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey decide to leave the show at the end of this season, creator Shondra Rhimes says the show will still go on. “Just for the record: This is not the last season of [Grey's Anatomy],” Rhimes avowed on Twitter Wednesday, in response to a handful of followers suggesting it was. To underscore her resolve, she added: “Definitely. Not.” She later added that she hopes that Pompeo and Dempsey will stay on and that no new cast members will be added this season.

Castle
Penny Johnson Jerald, known as the wife of President Palmers wife on 24 (One, Mondays at 8.30pm) is to join the set of Castle as Captain Victoria Gates. Gates will be a no nonsense Internal Affairs investigator who clashes with Castle. Jerald replaces Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who played Captain Roy Montgomery. astle airs on Seven on Sundays.

How I Met Your Mother
Kal Penn, from House is set to join the cast of How I Met Your Mother this season as a love intrest for Robin. Penn left House to work in the Obama administration as an associate director in public liason. Penn’s arrival of course reunites him with Neil Patrick Harris, who played, well, “Neil Patrick Harris” to his Kumar in the Harold & Kumar films.
HIMYM exec producer Craig Thomas strongly hinted to TVLine in May that Robin would jump back into the dating scene, especially now that her maybe-soul mate Barney had moved on with Nora: “Robin didn’t do a hell of a lot of dating at all [last season]; she was more [immersed in] switching careers,” he said. “Now, Robin, who’s single and is looking forward a little bit, can’t help but wonder if what happened between her and Barney could have been something more had they been more ready.”
Barney growing up a bit via Nora “has not gone unnoticed by Robin, who did not have a serious love interest this past year. She’s definitely going to have to wrestle with that at the start of Season 7.”

Teen Wolf
Teen Wolf has been picked up for a second season by MTV in the United States. Airing here on Channel Seven at 10.30pm on Mondays – it has not had the same success here as it has there, even though reviews were posotive for the show that was a mild spin-off of the 1980′s film. Maybe a move to digital would be better for the teen targeted show.

Being Human
Being Human that debuted on Eleven earlier this month has also been picked up for a second season. It airs Mondays at 9.30pm.

House
In other House news, Aussie Jesse Spencer has signed on for Season 8 of the medical drama. The producers were apparently desperate to keep him after the departure of Lisa Edelstein who is heading to “The Good Wife”.

Grey’s Anatomy
Even if Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey decide to leave the show at the end of this season (8), creator Shondra Rhimes says the show will still go on. “Just for the record: This is not the last season of [Grey's Anatomy],” Rhimes avowed on Twitter Wednesday, in response to a handful of followers suggesting it was. To underscore her resolve, she added: “Definitely. Not.” She later added that she hopes that Pompeo and Dempsey will stay on and that no new cast members will be added this season.

Castle
Penny Johnson Jerald, known as the wife of President Palmers wife on 24 (One, Mondays at 8.30pm) is to join the set of Castle as Captain Victoria Gates. Gates will be a no nonsense Internal Affairs investigator who clashes with Castle. Jerald replaces Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who played Captain Roy Montgomery. astle airs on Seven on Sundays.

This Sunday following the finale of Dancing with the Stars, supposedly at 9.30pm (come on – we all know it will be more like 9.50pm!) will be a repeat of Castle (S1E09)– some guides were showing this time slot as TBA still.

On Wednesday July 13, at 9.30pm, is the season two return of Covert Affairs. New CIA recruit Annie Walker is brought in to retrieve secrets from a Russian spy seeking asylum but he is assassinated by a sniper before the exchange can be finished.

The Vicar of Dibley settles into Thursday nights, with two hours of the British comedy airing from 7.30pm July 14.

That is followed at 9.30pm by one of those trashy top 50 specials that pop up on Seven from time to time – 50 Greatest Plastic Surgery Shockers.

The Friday night movie for NSW & QLD on July 15 is the premiere of State of Play while the two Saturday night movies on July 16 are Nim’s Island at 6.30pm and Gladiator with academy award winning Russell Crowe at 8.30pm.

Dowton Abbey finale airs at 8.30pm Sunday July 17, running for 90 minutes.

6.30 – 8.30pm Sunday July 17 remains TBA, but Sunday Night will almost certainly return to 6.30pm, and, even though it is scheduled for the next two Mondays, Border Security will most like land at 7.30pm paired with another factual. Seven made a similar move last year, where Border Security returned on Monday nights before moving to Sunday nights once Dancing with the Stars concluded.

8:30pm – Sunday, May 15 on Seven

- CASTLE AND BECKETT LOCK LIPS TONIGHT!!

- SPECIAL TIME, DOUBLE EPISODE

On this week’s all-new double episode of CASTLE, Castle and Beckett have to lock lips – to get close enough to capture a killer.

Old wounds are reopened when the retired lead detective on Beckett’s mother’s homicide case contacts her with new information, but then is gunned down right in front of Beckett before he can tell her what he knows. The investigation into his death leads back to a decades-old conspiracy that may hold the answer to who was behind Beckett’s mother murder and why. With the stakes and emotions running high, Castle and Beckett take their partnership to the next level.

Plus, the brutal murder of a lottery winner has Castle and Beckett up to their eyeballs in suspects, envious and angered by the victim’s sudden move from the poorhouse to the penthouse.

CASTLE stars NATHAN FILLION as Richard Castle, STANA KATIC as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, SUSAN SULLIVAN as Martha Rodgers, MOLLY QUINN as Alexis Castle, RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, TAMALA JONES as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, JON HUERTOS as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and SEAMUS DEVER as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

Seven have now confirmed (officially) that Dancing with the Stars will premiere next Sunday, May 8 at 6.30pm, in a two and a half hour premiere special. It continues at 6.30pm Sundays.

It will be followed by a double new episode of Castle from 9.00pm. There is also a double episode of Castle following Dancing with the Stars next Sunday, May 15, at 8.30pm.

Australia’s Got Talent is confirmed for Tuesday and Wednesday nights 7.30pm for this week, next week, and the week after (May 17 and 18).

The season final of 30 Rock airs at 11.30pm, Thursday May 19.

9:30pm – Sunday, May 1 on Seven

- SPECIAL TIME, DOUBLE EPISODE

- GILLES MARINI, LAURA PREPON AND THOMAS CALABRO GUEST STAR

On this week’s all-new double episode of CASTLE, Castle’s novel “Heat Wave” is being turned into a movie. And Castle and Beckett are on the case of a murdered magician.

Castle’s novel “Heat Wave” is being turned into a movie, and the Hollywood hottie cast as the movie’s lead shows up at Beckett’s invitation to better understand the character she’s going to play. Laura Prepon (“October Road,” “That ’70s Show”) guest stars as actress Natalie Rhodes. As our threesome investigates the murder of a high-class matchmaker, Natalie goes to extremes in the name of “character research,” transforming herself into the spitting image of Beckett – much to Castle’s delight and Beckett’s dismay. Thomas Calabro (“Melrose Place”) also guest stars.

When the owner of historic Drake’s Magic Shop in New York is found drowned in Houdini’s famous water torture tank, Castle and Beckett must delve into the world of magic, magicians and their secrets to find his killer. As part of their investigation, Castle and Beckett meet master magician Tobias Strange (guest star Gilles Marini, “Brothers & Sisters”). Meanwhile, the magicians aren’t the only ones keeping secrets, as a new romantic relationship is revealed for Esposito and Lanie.

CASTLE stars NATHAN FILLION as Richard Castle, STANA KATIC as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, SUSAN SULLIVAN as Martha Rodgers, MOLLY QUINN as Alexis Castle, RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, TAMALA JONES as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, JON HUERTOS as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and SEAMUS DEVER as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.