September 21

The X Factor

Simon Cowell’s latest Americanization of a hit U.K. talent show features solo vocalists and vocal groups of nearly all ages competing for a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Welsh TV presenter Steve Jones takes on the Ryan Seacrest hosting role, while even first-time auditioners face Cowell, Paula Abdul, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Nicole Scherzinger at the judging table, joined by a live audience to instantly weed out stage-fright victims and outright disasters.

Revenge

Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, who created this tasty little combo platter of melodrama and murder mystery starring Brothers & Sisters’ Emily VanCamp and the eternally youthful Stowe in a tale of over-the-top love, lies and loss in the Hamptons.

NCIS

Gibbs (Mark Harmon) is in a pretty tough spot — even for him — at the start of this season. Has he really sold out to the Reynosas?

NCIS: Los Angeles

Someone’s been watching Callen all his life. Is he about to find out the truth of his own background, or is he being set up for a fall?

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

TV’s signature procedural changes leads yet again with Ted Danson taking over the reins from the departing Laurence Fishburne.

Law & Order: SVU

Where We Left Off: A shootout in the squad room left recurring character Sister Peg dead, and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) [...]

Modern Family

Lily grows up, Cam and Mitchell consider adding to their family and the Pritchett-Dunphy clan head off to a dude ranch. Yee-haw!

Blue Mountain State

Spike’s scripted college football comedy follows the antics of Blue Mountain State Goats players and coaches on and off the field.

The Middle

Ray Romano reunites with his former “Everybody Loves Raymond” costar Patricia Heaton, playing Nicky Kohlbrenner, a man from Frankie’s (Heaton) past who played a role in ruining the Hecks’ honeymoon.