Not every show debuted last week, though it sure felt like it. CBS standbys “Numb3rs” and “Ghost Whisperer” return, NBC’s sophomore efforts “Chuck” and “Life” are given a second shot and ABC hopes “Private Practice” and “Dirty Sexy Money” blossom into hits in year two.

And we bid farewell to summer’s biggest show (not counting the Olympics): “America’s Got Talent.

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Monty Brinton/CBS

In 'Survivor: Gabon,' Emory Med School grad Marcus Lehman came across as sharp and humble, at least last week, not ‘arrogant,’ as Jeff Probst called him.

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Monday

• “Chuck” 8 p.m. NBC (season debut) — Chuck’s “brain” packed with government secrets has to be getting dated so the government is trying to rebuild its central database without him and making him obsolete. But wouldn’t that kill the entire premise of the show?

• “Dancing With the Stars” 8 p.m. ABC— Cloris Leachman has no chance of winning but she’s so delightfully funny, voters will probably keep her around for many weeks a la Jerry Springer.

• “CSI: Miami” 10 p.m. CBS — How timely! Drivers are killing each other over gasoline!.

• “Life” 10 p.m. NBC — Det. Crews continues his crusade to figure out who got him wrongfully jailed for 12 years.

Tuesday

• “House” 8 p.m. Fox — Now that House has a spy on payroll, he has him spy on everyone on staff, not just Wilson.

• “Opportunity Knocks” 8 p.m. ABC — This reality show, which should have been relegated to the summer, did miserably last week in its opening week. Cameras show up at someone’s home to hold a semi-spontaneous game show.

• “Fringe” 9 p.m. Fox — What’s the strange object left over after an explosion in New York City? Nothing from the “Heroes” set?

• “90210” 8 p.m. the CW — Just like “Gossip Girl” Monday, the focal point is a fashion show.

Wednesday

• “Pushing Daisies” 8 p.m. ABC (season debut) — In this ever-sweet dramedy, Chuck goes undercover to investigate the death at a honey-based cosmetics company.

• “Private Practice” 8 p.m. ABC (season debut) — Addison discovers Naomi isn’t being upfront about the practice’s finances. Dell, played by former Atlantan Chris Lowell, quits.

• “America’s Got Talent” 9 p.m. NBC — Our pick to win is the two violinists Nuttin’ But Strings, but opera singer Neal E. Boyd could get the votes. Dark horse: Eli Mattson, an intriguing Chris Martin/Elton John hybrid.

• “Dirty Sexy Money” 10:01 p.m. ABC (season debut) — Someone dies in the Darling family and someone is arrested for murder.

Thursday

• “Survivor: Gabon” 8 p.m. CBS — Emory Med School grad Marcus Lehman came across as sharp and humble, at least last week, not “arrogant,” as Jeff Probst called him. And Charlie’s crush on Marcus is amusing.

• “Ugly Betty” 8 p.m. ABC— It’s so great to see this show actually shot in New York. Gives it more veractiy. In the meantime, Daniel faces a custody battle for his son while Wilhelmina tries to manipulate Betty like she does everybody else. (We do miss Henry, though.)

• “Vice Presidential Debates” 9 p.m. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Telemundo — Interest in Sarah Palin will amp up viewership of this debate with Joe Biden far greater than otherwise would be the norm.

Friday

• “Everybody Hates Chris” 8 p.m. the CW (season debut) — With Smackdown! gone, the CW is going for sitcoms. This is the best one.

• “Ghost Whisperer” 8 p.m. CBS (season debut) — Jamie Kennedy is Melinda’s sidekick now that Jay Mohr has moved to “Gary UnMarried.”

• “The Ex List” 9 p.m. CBS (new series) — Elizabeth Reaser from “Grey’s Anatomy” plays a woman who tries to find her true love after a psychic said she must get married to an ex within a year. But which ex? The show is as bad as that description sounds.

• “Numb3rs” 10 p.m. CBS — New agent arrives in the form of Sophina Brown, last seen on “Shark.”

Weekend

• “Louis C.K.: Chewed Up” 11 p.m. Saturday. Showtime — The former “Lucky Louie” star is back with a raucous standup show.

• “Mad TV” 11 p.m. Saturday. Fox — Can Nicole Parker pull off a decent Sarah Palin?

• “Saturday Night Live” 11:29 p.m. Saturday. NBC — Anna Faris hosts, Duffy sings.

• “Desperate Housewives” 9 p.m. Sunday. ABC — Everyone who moves to Wisteria Lane harbors bad secrets. Dave, Edie’s new hubby is no exception

• “The Girls Next Door” 10 p.m. Sunday. E! (season debut) — It’s Hef’s birthday and the gals prop him up in Vegas.

• “Brothers and Sisters” 10 p.m. Sunday. ABC — Kitty wants to write a tell-all book about her hubby’s failed presidential bid. Can’t see that going over well with the Walker family.

• “Entourage” 10 p.m. HBO — Vince and the boys head into the desert for self-discovery purposes. Chemically enhanced, perhaps?’