Comedies

Click through this slideshow to see all the comedies airing this fall. [Share this slideshow on Twitter]Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Once just a regular guy working in an electronics store, "Chuck" Bartowski (Zachary Levi) was transformed into the government's most vital secret agent after massive amounts of secret intelligence were downloaded into his brain. Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) is his dream girl — and one of the CIA's top agents — whose partner, Col. John Casey (Adam Baldwin), remains both a menacing and protective presence. At the end of Season 3, the three of them narrowly escaped execution before risking their lives to spoil a plot by "The Ring" to take control of the U.S. intelligence community. Meanwhile, Chuck also uncovered an intriguing family secret. Season 4 kicks off with a bevy of guest stars, including Dolph Lundgren, Harry Dean Stanton, Olivia Munn, "Old Spice guy" Isaiah Mustafa, and, most notably, Linda Hamilton as Chuck's mom. Mondays at 8pm ET on NBC.NBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Five seasons in, we still haven't met the titular "Mother"… and they've even dropped the future-Ted-telling-his-kids framework. But we're still hooked on this witty comedy that follows a tight-knit group of friends as they navigate love and life in New York City. Last season ended with Robin (Cobie Smulders) breaking up with boyfriend Don, Ted (Josh Radnor) dyeing his hair blond, and Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan) finally deciding to have a baby. That decision plays a big role this season, as the easy-going couple adjusts to the rigors of impending parenthood. Plus, a treat for all you Robin Sparkles fans: We finally get a peek at Robin's pop-star alter ego's ill-fated '80s variety show alongside Alan Thicke. Mondays at 8pm ET on CBS.CBS/Cliff Lipson - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

In "Rules of Engagement," David Spade plays Russell, the still-single friend of long-time married couple Jeff and Audrey and engaged lovebirds Adam and Jennifer. The show explores the complications of married and single life, and what happens when the two worlds collide. At the end of last season, Adam and Jennifer were finally ready to tie the knot but decided they wanted to do it in private, so they planned a secret wedding. Mondays at 8:30pm ET on CBS.CBS/Monty Brinton - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

TV's top-rated comedy, "Two and a Half Men," soldiers on in its eighth season, chronicling the less-than-mature antics of eternal bachelor Charlie (Charlie Sheen), his uptight brother Alan (Jon Cryer), and Alan's dim-witted son Jake (Angus T. Jones). Actually, since Jones will be 17 in October, are we on the verge of calling this show "Three Men"? He's almost as tall as Jon Cryer at this point. In any case, when we last saw Charlie, he was licking his wounds after getting dumped by fiancée Chelsea. Any doubt he dusts himself off and jumps back into bed with the nearest bimbo? Didn't think so. Mondays at 9pm ET on CBS.Warner Bros. International Television - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

"Mike & Molly" is giving the usual romantic comedy a new look by following the budding relationship of a plus-size Chicago couple – Molly (Melissa McCarthy, "Samantha Who?"), a school teacher, and Mike, a police officer – who meet at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Sure, there are some of the usual fat jokes sprinkled in, but "Mike and Molly" is refreshingly focused on the worlds of these two working-class people, including Molly's kooky family, rounded out by her sexy, pot-smoking sister, and Swoosie Kurtz as her smart-talking mom. Mondays at 9:30pm ET on CBS.CBS/Richard Cartwright - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Rumors have been spiraling out of control throughout the summer about the next season of "Glee." Will there be more tribute episodes for a particular artist? Is Will's wife coming back to haunt his dating life even more? Which of the supporting characters will be explored even further this season? So far, we know Carol Burnett will make an appearance as Sue's mom, Academy Award winner Javier Bardem will be jamming with Artie, and international superstar Charice will be joining the cast. Britney Spears recently tweeted photos of herself filming an episode inspired by her hits. And Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) will have some romantic competition for Emma's affection as she falls for her dentist, played by John Stamos! How much will producer Ryan Murphy be able to squeeze in this season? Tuesdays at 9 pm ET on Fox.FOX/Patrick Ecclesine - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

From creator Greg Garcia ("My Name is Earl") comes Fox's latest laugher, "Raising Hope." It's about a blue-collar 23-year-old named Jimmy Chance (newcomer Lucas Neff) who's forced to raise his infant daughter, conceived via one-night stand, after his criminal of a baby mama is sentenced to death. Luckily, his dysfunctional family, including Martha Plimpton ("Running on Empty," "The Goonies") as his haggard mom, Virginia; Garret Dillahunt ("Deadwood," "The 4400"), as his delusional dad, Burt; and 84-year-old living legend Cloris Leachman as his senile grandmother, Maw Maw, is willing to support (and laugh) at him as he attempts to raise Hope and land the girl of his dreams. Tuesdays at 9pm ET on Fox.FOX/Joe Viles - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

No, it's not the long-awaited "Arrested Development" movie, but it might be the next best thing: Fox's new sitcom "Running Wilde" reunites "AD" creator Mitchell Hurwitz and producer Jim Vallely with stars Will Arnett and David Cross. (No doubt they're hoping for slightly better ratings this time around.) "Wilde" tells the story of spoiled rich jerk Steve Wilde (Arnett) as he tries to woo environmental do-gooder and childhood crush Emmy (Keri Russell, "Felicity") by pretending he's a better man than Emmy's drippy fiancé, played by Cross. The pilot we saw doesn't quite reach "AD" levels of hilarity, but the stellar pedigree and appealing cast will keep us in the "Running" for a while, at least. Tuesdays at 9:30pm ET on Fox.FOX/Ed Araquel - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

On "The Middle," Patricia Heaton stars as Frankie Heck, a loving wife and harried mother who's middle-class and middle-aged in the middle of the country. Frankie and her blue-collar husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), live in Orson, Indiana, where they're doing their best to raise three kids: Axl, their semi-nudist teenage son; Sue, the awkward teenage daughter who fails at everything; and 7-year-old Brick (Atticus Shaffer), whose best friend is his backpack. As the show returns, Heaton will be reunited with former "Everybody Loves Raymond" co-star Doris Roberts, who appears in the season premiere as Brick's intimidating new teacher. Wednesdays at 8pm ET on ABC.ABC/Bob D'Amico - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

ABC's Comedy Wednesday will include the new show, "Better With You." Putting another spin on the multicamera sitcom, it takes a look at three different relationships, and tries to steer clear of becoming a cliché relationship comedy by focusing on fresh relevant topics. Parents Vicky ("That 70 Show's" Debra Jo Rupp) and Joel have been happily married for 35 years, and have recently taken a very carefree approach to their golden years. Daughter Maddie has been dating Ben for nine years, and they remain committed to each other despite the fact that they aren't married. But when younger daughter Mia decides to marry her boyfriend Casey of seven weeks, everyone is really thrown for a loop. Wednesdays at 8:30pm ET on ABC.ABC/Bob D'Amico - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Last fall, "Modern Family" emerged as one of the biggest hits of the new season, winning over critics and audiences alike. By mixing sitcom conventions both old (a cranky but lovable dad) and new (a same-sex couple with a baby), the show managed to feel familiar and fresh at the same time. Season 1 ended big, with an episode shot on location in Hawaii, and another that featured a cameo by Lakers star Kobe Bryant. How will they top that in Season 2? A few hints were dropped at a recent press event, and here's what you can expect: An earthquake will shake things up for (almost) everyone, Mitchell's former high school sweetheart will show up (shaking things up for Cameron), and Manny's hopeless romantic streak just might finally lead to love. Wednesdays at 9pm ET on ABC.ABC/Bob D'Amico - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox) is no longer on the prowl, but the 40-plus Floridian is more fabulous than ever as the second season of "Cougar Town" kicks off in Gulf Haven's coolest cul-de-sac. With BFFs Ellie and Laurie by her side (and bickering less), ex-hubby Bobby living the life on his bachelor pad of a boat, and hottie neighbor Grayson in her boudoir, everything is looking up for Jules … except for the fact that her only child, Travis, is heading off to college sans mom. Luckily, a bottomless bottle of red wine and some Penny Can will cure all! Wednesdays at 9:30pm ET on ABC.ABC/Bob D'Amico - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

"Community" started out a little awkwardly as an ensemble comedy about a group of community college students who form a study group for Spanish class. With Joel McHale as fast-talking lawyer Jeff Winger, the group's de facto leader, the cast also includes comedy legend Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong (aka that naked guy from "The Hangover"), and breakout buddies Danny Pudi and Donald Glover as pop-culture junkie Abed and former high school football star Troy. Over the course of its first season, the show won viewers by flexing its creative muscle, creating a spot-on tribute to "Goodfellas" in one episode, and spoofing action movies via a school-wide paintball war in another. Season 2 kicks off with the suddenly red-hot Betty White guest starring as an anthropology professor. Thursdays at 8pm ET on NBC.NBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

It's a real-life revenge of the nerds: CBS is moving its smarty-pants hit to Thursdays this fall, in a direct challenge to NBC's Thursday-night comedy block. Luckily for CBS, the "Big Bang Theory" geeks don't have any Thursday-night plans … or any plans, actually. "Theory" centers on dorky physicists Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and their cute, kooky neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco). Last season, a drunken Penny took Leonard to the bedroom — only to crush him the next day by saying she regretted it. Will they take their relationship to the next level, or is Leonard stuck in the dreaded "friend zone" forever? Thursdays at 8pm ET on CBS.Warner Bros. International Television - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

For every semi-successful, geeky chick out there who eats through her pain and considers her job her real life, you have a modern hero in Liz Lemon. And for every corporate-talk-loving, conservative dude out there with his eye on the big prize, you have a role model in boss-man Jack Donaghy. Not afraid to mix stupid with clever in all the strangest and most unexpected places, "30 Rock" is a comedy that makes us laugh out loud (often thanks to Tracy Morgan's ridiculous portrayal of Tracy Jordan, a clueless comic coddled by his entourage). Last season, after dealing with a months-long love triangle, Jack finally chose straight-talking cable news anchor Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks) over his fiery Irish Catholic high-school girlfriend Nancy Donovan (Julianne Moore). So how did he decide who to choose? Avery announced she was pregnant. And Liz? She found love at the last minute with a hunky airline pilot (Matt Damon), but will he stick around? And what kind of dad will Jack make? We'll find out when Season 4 kicks off. Thursdays at 8:30pm ET on NBC.NBC/Mary Ellen Matthews - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

On first viewing, "$#*! My Dad Says" may look and feel like a traditional sitcom, but its roots are anything but conventional. The show — starring William Shatner as the titular dad — sprang forth from a popular Twitter account that a comedy writer created to share his father's hilarious rants. Nearly 1.5 million followers later, it's now a best-selling book and network TV series. (Who says Twitter is a waste of time?) Of course, a TV show has to be more than just a series of crazy comments from an old man, so here's what will be going on around Shatner's "$#*!": Henry Goodson (Jonathan Sadowski) is a struggling writer turned blogger who moves back in with his father, Ed. Meanwhile, Henry's brother Vince (Will Sasso) is the meek half of a husband-wife real estate duo with bossy spouse Kathleen (Nicole Sullivan). Thursdays at 8:30pm ET on CBS.CBS/Ron P. Jaffe - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

In case you didn't get the memo: Season 7 of "The Office" will be Steve Carell's last as oblivious boss Michael Scott. There's no word yet on who (if anyone) will replace Scott as the head of Dunder-Mifflin's Scranton branch, but his departure is tempered by some good news: Amy Ryan will return for eight episodes as Michael's sweetheart, HR rep Holly Flax. Will Michael finally find love before his exit? Or will he find a way to mess it up? Elsewhere, Dwight moves forward with his plans to purchase the Dunder-Mifflin building, and Andy gets a part in a local community theater production. Is it too much to hope that there's singing involved? Thursdays at 9pm ET on NBC.NBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

NBC's newest Thursday-night comedy is "The Office" with an international twist: Novelty-gift executive Todd Dempsy (newcomer Ben Rappaport) is transferred to India to train the company's new call center. What's worse, he's gotten stuck working with the "B team": an inept group of locals totally unfamiliar with American culture. Sure, the obvious fish-out-of-water jokes are here. (Much is made of one male worker's unfortunate name: Manmeet.) But the "Outsourced" pilot has some heartfelt moments as well, and even hints at a crosscultural romance brewing between Todd and a beautiful Indian employee. The question is: With the unemployment rate still painfully high, will American viewers be able to laugh about jobs going overseas? Thursdays at 9:30pm ET on NBC.NBC/Joseph Viles - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Now the longest running comedy in television history, "The Simpsons" immediately struck a chord with viewers as it poked fun of itself and everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the animated series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and the ever-expanding cast of characters has spawned television icons. As it enters its 22nd season, the show has aired 464 episodes, won countless awards, and grossed hundreds of millions of dollars. Guest stars who are lined up for this season include Halle Berry and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as themselves, Paul Rudd as a family therapist who tries to stop Homer from strangling Bart, and Jon Hamm as an FBI agent out to bust Fat Tony. Sundays at 8pm ET on Fox.FOX - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

The demented minds that delivered the first side-splitting season of "The Cleveland Show" are back in action. Season 2 gets underway with even more hilarious hijinks as Cleveland Brown, his wife Donna, his overweight 14-year-old son, and Donna's sassy teenage daughter and vicious son Rallo wreak havoc on their town (and each other). Also in on the shenanigans are Cleveland's loudmouth redneck friend, Lester; Will Forte as Principal Wally; Jason Sudeikis as Holt Rickter; and the family's European talking-bear neighbors Tim and Arianna (played to perfection by syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington). Sundays at 8:30pm ET on Fox.FOX - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

Fox's crass animated hit "Family Guy" is enjoying its second chance at life: The once-canceled show rode a wave of DVD sales back onto the air, and now will reach its 150-episode milestone this season. Fans can expect plenty of the typical random pop-culture references and out-of-nowhere flashbacks from Peter Griffin and his family in Season 9. It kicks off with a special hourlong whodunit episode, based on the classic board game (and cult movie) "Clue." Our money's on Stewie, in the library, with the doomsday device. Sundays at 9pm ET on Fox.FOX - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM

The animated series "American Dad" follows die-hard Republican Stan Smith (voiced by creator Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family in Langley Falls, Virginia. Stan has a not-so-smart wife, Francine, and two kids: liberal 18-year-old daughter Hayley and her 14-year-old brother, the geeky yet cocky Steve. Now the weird part: He's also got a sarcastic space alien, Roger, in his attic, and Klaus, an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German guy. This eccentric family full of radically different personalities is just trying to find a way to love and trust one another during these increasingly unpredictable times. And with a guy like Stan in charge of national security, it's a hilarious ride. Sundays at 9:30pm ET on Fox. [Share this slideshow on Twitter]FOX - Tuesday, August, 10, 2010, 8:10 PM