New on
M-Net in January, 2009:
NEW SERIES
90210Premiere date: Thursday, 8 January 2009 at 19h30
90210 is a contemporary spin-off of the iconic '90's soapie drama Beverly Hills 90210.
This reinvented series looks at life through the eyes of Annie Wilson (played by Shenae Grimes) and her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds), whose first day at West Beverly Hills High School leaves no doubt that they're not in their hometown of Kansas anymore.
The Wilson family, including dad Harry (played by Rob Estes) and mom Debbie (Lori Loughlin), have relocated to Beverly Hills to keep an eye on Harry's mother Tabitha (Jessica Walter), a feisty former television star and a charter member of the Betty Ford Clinic.
For Annie and Dixon, the awkwardness of being the new kids is made worse by the fact that their dad has taken a job as the high school principal. As close siblings, their relationship will hopefully help them cope with their teachers and counselors as well as their somewhat bossy classmates.
Even they haven’t yet already, the Wilsons are about to realise how much their lives are about to change.
The show includes guest starring appearances by Jenny Garth and Shannen Donerty - both of the original series.
HottFringePremiere date: Thursday, 8 January 2009 at 21h30
Fringe is a new sci-fi drama series co-created and written by JJ Abrams ( creator of Alias and Lost)
The story centres round FBI special agent Olivia Dunham (played by Anna Torv) and Peter Bishop (played by Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek ) who investigate phenomena including telepathy, invisibility and genetic mutation that take place for unknown reasons.
In an attempt to stop the spread and determine the source, they enlist the assistance of Bishop’s estranged father, the institutionalised scientist, Dr Walter Bishop (played by John Noble).
It also stars Lance Reddick (The Wire, Oz and Lost), Kirk Acevedo (Miguel Alvarez in Oz) and Mark Valley (Boston Legal, ER and Swingtown)
The MentalistPremiere date: Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 20h30
The Mentalist is a crime drama from producer David Nutter (Supernatural, Without a Trace) that centres round Patrick Jane (played by Simon Baker), a well-known former television psychic who, after being exposed as a fraud, uses his very real abilities as a mentalist to help the California Bureau of Investigation solve crimes.
As a mentalist, Jane uses his developed skills of observation, deduction and manipulation to aid the police and Serious Crimes unit. He's charismatic, if not a bit odd - an edgy, modern Sherlock Holmes whose controversial methods often cross the line, but, ultimately, prove him right.
Teresa Lisbon (played by Robin Tunney) is a top agent with the CBI who often works with Jane. Though she grudgingly recognises his talents, she is determined to solve cases with or without him.
Gary UnmarriedPremiere date: Tuesday 20 January 2009 at 19h00
Newly divorced after fifteen years of marriage to his ex-wife Allison Brooks, Gary Barns, a painting contractor, tries his best to move on from his failed marriage by getting back into the dating scene. This while having to balance work and his ex-wife because they have two teenagers together.
Despite their negative interactions and sarcasm towards each other, Gary and Allison affectionately make up at the end of most of their conflicts, as the two seem to have a soft spot for each other underneath all their hostility.
Gary Brooks is played by Jay Mohr and his ex-wife Allison is played by Paula Marshall.
RETURNING SERIES
Two and a half Men 6Premiere date: Thursday 1 January 2009 at 19h00
Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer return for a new, 6th season of men, women, sex, dating and family bonds.
Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) is a well-to-do bachelor with a house at the beach, a Mercedes in the garage and an easy way with women. His casual Malibu lifestyle is interrupted when his tightly wound brother, Alan (Jon Cryer), and Alan's son, Jake, come to stay with him.
Complicating matters further are Charlie and Alan's narcissistic, emotionally- toxic mother, Evelyn; Alan's deeply neurotic ex-wife, Judith; Charlie's domineering, unapologetically blue-collar housekeeper, Berta; and Charlie's stalker-neighbour Rose, whom he once had a fling with.
Despite the complexities of their lives and their own strained relationship, Charlie and Alan have one thing in common - they both love Jake and want what's best for him.
As a result, they manage to create a little family unit that promises to make each of them a better man.
TVSA's Two and a half Men Mini Site
Eli Stone 2Premiere date: Friday 2 January 2009 at 19h30
After experiencing a series of odd hallucinations, including a crooning vision of George Michael in Season 1, Eli Stone, a lawyer in a top San Francisco law firmhas been free from his visions for the past six months after having an operation to remove his brain aneurysm. But not for long.
It seems that the process has rubbed off on his neurologist brother Nate as he now experiences visions of suffering a similar fate as Eli.
TVSA's Eli Stone Mini Site
Samantha Who? 2Premiere date: Wednesday 7 January 2009 at 19h00
Samantha Newly (played by Christina Applegate) is still suffering from retrograde amnesia and has no recollection of her life before the accident, but soon learns that she was as mean, vain, selfish and heartless and had many enemies.
As she begins the long, comic process of starting over, she fears that the “old Sam” will return or her would-be killer will try again. Samantha tries to re-invent herself through making good, positive choices - even though the bad ones are so much easier (and way more fun).
TVSA's Samantha Who? Mini Site
My Name is Earl 3 (episodes 21-22)Continues: Monday 12 January at 19h00
Please note: these are the remaining two episodes that didn't air in 2008.
In the third season of this popular series, Earl confesses to a crime that he did not commit so that that his ex-wife Joy doesn’t go to jail, while Earl’s brother, Randy, struggles to survive without his brother. Will Earl be released from prison, or will he and his friends plan a prison break?
TVSA's My Name Is Earl Season 3 Show Page.
Grey’s Anatomy 5Premiere date: Monday 12 January 2009 at 19h30
It’s business as usual at Seattle Grace as the residents and interns return for Season 5.
TVSA's Grey's Anatomy Mini Site
Ugly Betty 3Premiere date: Tuesday 13 January 2009 at 19h30
Betty and the Mode co are back for a new season. This time round Wilhemina is the new editor of the magazine.
TVSA's Ugly Betty Mini Site
The Office 3Continues: Friday 16 January 2009 at 19h00
Please note: this is a continuation of the US Season 3 that was previously on Tuesdays at 19h30 in 2008
TVSA's The Office 3 Mini Site
Californication 2Premiere date: Tuesday 20 January 2009 at 22h30
Novelist Hank Moody is still struggling to help raise his 13-year-old daughter, while carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend Karen, all while trying to re-launch his writing career. His obsession with honesty and his self-destructive behavior - drinks, drugs and relationships - continue to destroy and enrich his career.
TVSA's Californication Mini Site
Coconuts 2Premiere date: Wednesday 21 January 2009 at 19h30
A new season of the SA comedy The Coconuts. The season picks up with a highly pregnant Amandla and her family.
TVSA's The Coconuts Mini Site
SPECIALS
The Pantomime: Snow WhiteOn: Thursday 1 January 2009 at 14h10
A broadcast of Janice Honeyman's Snow White pantomine. The cast includes Tobie Cronje, Idols singer and actress Bianca le Grange, former Idols Top 5 finalist Daniel Buys; and Steven Hicks, lead actor in The Full Monty.
Christina Aguilera “Back to Basics: Live & Down Under”On: Thursday 1 January 2009 at 21h30
A broadcast of Christina Aguilera's live performance in Australia that was a lead-up to the release of her Back to Basics - Live & Down Under concert DVD.
Featured songs include: Ain't No Other Man, Candyman, Dirrty, Come On Over, What A Girl Wants, Hurt, Fighter and Beautiful.
66th Golden Globe AwardsOn: Monday 12 January 2009 at 20h30
The 2009 Golden Globe ceremony - to be held at The Beverly Hills Hilton. Nominees, presenter and line-up are yet to be announced.