Posted by Dustin on 01.03.2009 at 8:31 pm

First up, I hope everyone had a Happy New Year! Can you believe it’s 2009?

Television FINALLY begins returning this week. Sunday sees the return of ABC shows with “Housewives” and “Brothers and Sisters.” Also don’t forget “Private Practice” moves to Thursdays after “Grey’s” (Oy a three hour block on Thursdays with “Betty” as well!).

“American Idol” begins the 13th, can’t miss those auditions! With other shows I’ve watched in the can or on hiatus, as well as other shows moving (PP) I should be able to follow this, unlike “DWTS” which just had too much interference. Of course who knows what the talent will be like too, that as well as the rumored format changes could be a turn-off.

Some shows like “Heroes” and Medium” don’t come back till February, and April sees new mid-season shows like “Harper’s Island” on CBS. Then there are the return of shows I don’t cover like “Lost” and “Battle Star” Sorry Islanders and Cylon Wannabes! They are watched in my house, I just don’t have the history to either of them (they are too complex if you don’t remember the tiniest thing from season 1). Feel free to chat on the forums and post your own blogs/thoughts.

Finally, as luck would have it, my annual vacation happens to be this coming week right when shows are returning. This week I’ll be okay with seeing almost everything and I WILL do my best not to get too far behind. Thursday will be an issue, but I will have access to everything online and can watch on and off Friday. The week of the 12th I’ll be on a cruise ship, so whether I’m able to see the shows and when will depend on lots of things. They’ll all be on Tivo and I’m going to try my best to catch them on the ship as much as possible, but it will depend on the time they air them (which can be at wacky times) and if dinner interferes or anything else. Online watching the next day on a ship is of course out. Yet again I can see Thursday being the day that is going to kill me this week as well as this spring!