Winter Show Premieres 2012: Returning This Week (1/15 - 1/20)

(Note: Listings are for Eastern Standard Time)

This week mostly concludes winter premieres, though a few more are waiting in the wings till February. Let’s take a look at what we can expect for your DVRs.

Sunday (January 15)
Award season officially kicks off with the 69^th Annual Golden Globes tonight at 8:00 on NBC. British comedian/actor Ricky Gervais returns as the host despite his criticism from last time. Whether this is a ploy for bigger ratings or it’s just because the producers loved him, we’ll never know for sure. Either way, it’s certain the stabs at celebrities will probably double. Not to say some of them aren’t funny, but this viewer tunes into these awards to see just that: awards given. The one thing these shows have lacked on is just that. They care more about making us laugh than giving the winners their due. They’ve also become unnecessarily long. The Golden Globes is just the first of the countless award shows to come, though the People’s Choice Awards came and went. Still, most of the Golden Globes winners will nine times out of ten take home the Academy Award, though it’s fun to watch the surprises. The Academy Awards air next month. For a complete list of the Golden Globe nominees, click here.

Monday (January 16)
Syfy is one of the few networks that snatch up the rights to fantasy shows they see are popular amongst blogging fans. Tonight they premiere LOST GIRL at 10:00, a Canadian supernatural/crime show about Bo (Anna Silk), a recently discovered succubus who sometimes kills people by feeding off their energy. Having been raised in a human family she is now meant to embrace her supernatural side while following the rules of the hierarchy keeping the existence of creatures in check. After saving a human girl, Kenzi (Ksenia Solo), the two decide to create an agency that will work to protect both sides: the supernatural and the humans. In the meantime, Bo searches for truth about her origins. The show has recently been renewed for a third season in Canada so audiences can expect more in the future. If you want to keep your paranormal thrills going be sure to check out FOX’s new drama series, ALCATRAZ. The 2-hour premiere kicks off at 8:00, and stars Sam Neill as government agent, Emerson Hauser, a man who has been waiting for the prisoners who disappeared off the infamous island prison to resurface in our time. He seeks help from Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones), a detective whose grandfather was a guard there, when a case leads her to believe that the criminals from the jail are returning. Also starring Jorge Garcia (a LOST fan favorite) and Parminder Nagra (ER), the ragtag team quickly discovers there’s much more at play. With J.J. Abrams as an executive producer, viewers can expect a lot of twists and turns. Check out the trailer below.

Tuesday (January 17)
The third season of GLEE has had its ups and downs. Still not as engaging as Season 1, Ryan Murphy and company has, at least, returned to the roots. Tonight’s brand new episode, airing at 8:00 on FOX has Will (Matthew Morrison) prepping to ask Emma (Jayma Mays) “the question.” Titled “Yes/No” the Glee Club assists their advisor while also dealing with their own love issues. Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Mercedes (Amber Riley) sing the popular “Summer Nights” from GREASE, which will recount their romance we missed in between the seasons. And a new love triangle will take place with Artie (Kevin McHale), Sugar (Vanessa Lengies), and Becky (Lauren Potter). According to reviews, Rihanna’s “We Found Love” will conclude the episode with a huge musical number in the swimming pool. Following GLEE is FOX’s new hit, NEW GIRL (nominated for a Golden Globe). Tonight’s episode revolves around Schmidt’s (Max Greenfield) birthday with more quirky moments from roommate, Jess (Zooey Deschanel, also nominated for a Golden Globe). Those pulling for a Jess/Nick (Jake Johnson) romance may have to wait a little longer. Producers state they do not want to rush into them, which is smart in this writer’s opinion. So until then Jess—and Nick—will have other options. TRUE BLOOD’s Ryan Kwanten will guest star on the show’s Valentine’s Day episode and Dermot Mulroney has just been cast as a parent of one of Jess’s student that will turn into another love interest for her. Finishing up the network’s Tuesday night will be new episodes of RAISING HOPE at 9:30. Over on the CW, new episodes of 90210 return followed by the new show, REMODELED.

Wednesday (January 18)
Dr. Spencer Reid is well known amongst those that watch CRIMINAL MINDS. The agent with a memory that could put us all to shame and an adorable face to boot, Matthew Gray Gubler has given audiences a character to love and laugh with. On tonight’s premiere of CRIMINAL MINDS, airing at 9:00 on CBS, the B.A.U.’s loveable doctor will be celebrating his big 3-0. But that doesn’t necessarily mean happy times, especially if you’re chasing down a serial killer. Instead, Dr. Reid will question whether or not he’s done enough with his life given his endless skills. Writers also promise to return to his Season 6 storyline of those nagging headaches that were plaguing him. More personal life plots will follow the second half of Season 7 including more on that possible new Hotch romance. If you’re not a fan of getting into the mind of the world’s most twisted criminals, don’t worry because over on FOX AMERICAN IDOL returns for its new season. The 2-hour Season 11 premiere will, of course, take us into the audition process where viewers choose early favorites, laugh at those tone-deaf hopefuls, and cry at the sob stories that has sort of become the show’s go-to ratings booster. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler return alongside Randy Jackson with Ryan Seacrest hosting. For more crazy auditions, also tune in Thursday, January 19 for its one hour episode airing at 8:00.

That about wraps it up for winter premieres in January. All that comes back on January 31 is the CW’s RINGER. Now we wait until February for the return of the final 2012 shows. Here's hoping your DVR's are holding steady.