As midseason TV kicks into full gear, there's something for everyone this week. NBC pays tribute to American treasure Betty White on Monday with a televised special of the comedienne's 90th birthday party, followed by the premiere of her senior take on "Punk'd," "Betty White's Off Their Rockers." J.J Abrams' "Alcatraz," which stars Jorge Garcia and channels some of the supernatural suspense of "Lost," makes its debut Monday night on Fox. And gritty dramas "Justified" and "Southland" begin new seasons in dueling timeslots on Tuesday night, so set your DVRs accordingly. On Wednesday, ratings juggernaut "American Idol" kicks off its second Simon Cowell-less season with a two-hour premiere. Get ready for some embarrassing auditions!
Check out a slideshow for the full rundown of what to tune into this week.
What To Watch: TV Picks For January 16 - 22
MONDAY, JANUARY 16: "Alcatraz"(01 of19)
"Alcatraz" (8 p.m. EST, Fox) two-hour series premiereProduced by J.J. Abrams, this moody mystery series combines procedural elements with a hint of supernatural suspense. Detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Alcatraz historian Doctor Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia) team up with a secret agency that is dedicated to finding and catching inmates from the infamous prison who went missing 50 years ago and have begun reappearing today.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16: "Betty White's Off Their Rockers"(02 of19)
"Betty White's Off Their Rockers" (9:30 p.m. EST, NBC) series premiereHave you ever imagined a show like "Punk'd," but instead of Ashton Kutcher and Dax Shepard jumping out to humiliate a celebrity, Betty White and a band of "sassy septuagenarians" prank youngsters instead? No? Well, White and NBC made a show about it regardless, taking the hidden camera concept to another level as senior citizens target unsuspecting bystanders for stunts and sketches.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16: "Lost Girl"(03 of19)
"Lost Girl" (10 p.m. EST, SyFy) series premiereA young woman (Anna Silk) discovers that she has dangerous supernatural abilities, and must choose between a life of light or darkness as she tries to unlock the mysteries of her past. (Read The Huffington Post's TV critic Mo Ryan's thoughts on the sexy supernatural drama here.)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17: "Remodeled" (04 of19)
"Remodeled" (9 p.m. EST, The CW) series premiereThe CW's newest reality show centers around modeling industry veteran Paul Fisher as he tries to bring together hundreds of small agencies around the world in a new venture called The Network. He has two missions: to make sure agents in small towns no longer get screwed, and to empower models to take control of their careers and lead healthier lives.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17: "Justified"(05 of19)
"Justified" (10 p.m. EST, FX) season premiereTimothy Olyphant's critically-acclaimed drama returns for a third season. The arrival of a dangerous new player in Lexington puts Raylan on a collision course with a sadistic Dixie Mafia hitman.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17: "Southland"(06 of19)
"Southland" (10 p.m. EST, TNT) season premiereSadly for those that don't own a DVR, TNT is premiering the long-awaited fourth season of the gritty police drama right opposite "Justified," and both are equally worthy of your attention. Officer John Cooper returns to duty after recovering from back surgery and meets his new partner, Officer Jessica Tang (special guest star Lucy Liu), a tough and disciplined cop with her own set of baggage from working the streets. Elsewhere, Lydia, whose new partner is Ruben Robinson (guest star Dorian Missick), can't seem to escape helping a former CI who won't stay in safety.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17: "White Collar"(07 of19)
"White Collar" (10 p.m. EST, USA) And, as if 10 p.m. wasn't busy enough, "White Collar" returns from its midseason hiatus with one hell of a mystery: Where is Elizabeth Burke? Neal and Peter must race to rescue her from Keller, who is demanding the U-boat treasure in exchange for her release.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18: "American Idol"(08 of19)
"American Idol" (8 p.m. EST, Fox) two-hour season premiereThe ratings juggernaut returns for another year with a fresh crop of hopefuls lined up to audition and the eclectic panel of Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson poised to narrow them down -- hopefully without deafening us all.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18: "Happy Endings"(09 of19)
"Happy Endings" (9:30 p.m. EST, ABC)Jane convinces Penny to stop changing herself for every guy she dates, and instead to change the guy to suit her needs. Penny's first experiment is Jeff (guest star Ryan Hansen), a slacker who is 30 going on 20. Meanwhile, when Brad overhears Jane bragging to Penny about how she completely made him over after they met, he rebels, and starts walking, talking and dressing like his college-era self. And Alex and Max stage an "in-t-vention" to stop Dave from his obsession with v-neck t-shirts.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18: "Royal Pains"(10 of19)
"Royal Pains" (10 p.m. EST, USA)Kassabian is left in critical condition after a prescription error, which Hank believes is Dr. Van Dyke's fault. Elsewhere, the HankMed team goes to a divorce party so Hank can keep an eye on the ill party planner.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19: "The Big Bang Theory"(11 of19)
"The Big Bang Theory" (8 p.m. EST, CBS) In the 100th episode of the hit sitcom, the possibility of Leonard and Penny getting back together could prove disastrous, after Leonard offers Penny a spur-of-the-moment invitation to a romantic dinner for two.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19: "Parks and Recreation"(12 of19)
"Parks and Recreation" (8:30 p.m. EST, NBC)Faced with a tough new opponent, Leslie and Ben disagree on the content of her first campaign ad. Ron is very uncomfortable when Chris tries to befriend him, while Andy and April make a trip to the doctor.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19: "Archer"(13 of19)
"Archer" (10 p.m. EST, FX) The ISIS gang is back with a bang after a painfully long midseason hiatus; Archer is shocked to learn that his mother is dating Archerʼs idol/hero/man-crush, Burt Reynolds.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20: "Shark Tank"(14 of19)
"Shark Tank" (8 p.m. EST, ABC) season premiereThe Sharks are back for a third season, continuing their search to invest in the best products and businesses that America has to offer. Season 3 sees the Sharks offering over $6.2 million of their own money in investment deals to bankroll a creative array of innovative entrepreneurs.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20: "Fringe"(15 of19)
"Fringe" (9 p.m. EST, Fox)Peter's visit to the other side intensifies as the alternate Fringe division faces off against a formidable new foe (though he's someone we know all too well) in a harrowing race against time. But what does this universe's David Robert Jones want?
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20: "On Freddie Roach"(16 of19)
"On Freddie Roach" (9:30 p.m. EST, HBO) series premiereFrom executive producer Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights"), this cinéma-vérité documentary series focuses on Freddie Roach. The world famous boxing trainer owns and operates the famed Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, where he has produced a host of world champions. The cameras follow Roach as he works with future stars, engages the continuous stream of celebrity visitors to his gym, finds time to sort through and balance his myriad of outside interests, and manages his new role with USA Boxing, all while fighting Parkinson's disease.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21: "An Idiot Abroad"(17 of19)
"An Idiot Abroad" (10 p.m. EST, Science) season premiereAfter his tour of the Seven Wonders of the World, Karl Pilkington could be considered an international jetsetter. But his recent global exposure has made him even more resistant to the call of the open road. Nevertheless, world class tormentors Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant prove that one man's anguish can be another man's amusement, as they send him around the world to fulfill his Bucket List. Now, Karl can only hope that his quest to accomplish the definitive list of "things to do before you die" doesn't kill him first.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22: "Once Upon a Time"(18 of19)
"Once Upon a Time" (8 p.m. EST, ABC)Mary Margaret and David continue to grapple with their unrequited love, and Emma and Regina grow suspicious over a mysterious new stranger in town. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Snow White yearns to ease her breaking heart as Prince Charming's wedding to King Midas' daughter approaches.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22: "Prime Suspect"(19 of19)
"Prime Suspect" (9 p.m. EST, NBC) series finaleFans of the short-lived procedural will be pleased to see the final two episodes the show's first and only season in a double bill tonight (NBC still hasn't officially canceled it, but shutting down production was a fairly obvious signal). In the first hour, Duffy and Calderon have the unpleasant task of telling a grandmother that her young granddaughter was raped and murdered, while Jane and Augie are on the ritzy Upper East Side when a woman is found mysteriously shot during the night. In the second, Jane and the team find out a jailed hit man may be responsible for the latest drive by at local store, and Sweeney orders 24-hour a day security when a hit is ordered on one of their own.
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