Former "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl left TV in 2010 to raise her kids but continued to do movies.
Now she's trying a new dramatic role on NBC called 'State of Affairs" as a damaged CIA agent. It debuts Monday night at 10 p.m. on NBC. Sound familiar? The comparisons to Claire Danes' Carrie Matheson on "Homeland" are inevitable.
Reviews so far on Metacritic of "State of Affairs" are mixed, with an aggregate score of 44 out of 100. The most positive is from The Washington Post, which says it "feels like an honest NBC upgrade." Newsday? "After this overheated effort to make Charlie interesting, or at least different, she's basically just another Carrie Mathison without the pills." Want something harsher? Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter": "A pilot that is, at best, flawed, and, at worst, messy-bad." The San Franciso Chronicle dismisses "State of Affairs" as a "second-rate wannabe."
On the bright side, the show has Alfre Woodard.The Boston Herald: "Alfre Woodard isn't given a lot to do as President Constance Payton in the premiere, but, unlike Heigl, she does have the gravitas for the role, and the show would be wise to use her more."
On a lighter side, ABC's 'American Music Awards" on Sunday will feature One Direction, Fergie and Lorde as performers.
And A&E's "Duck Dynasty," after a very brief hiatus, returns this week to a seventh season.
If you are in a Christmas mood and want a 1990s R&B group attached to it, Lifetime has "An En Vogue Christmas" Saturday night.
MONDAY
"2 Broke Girls" 8 p.m. CBS — Caroline finds an abandoned bicycle and wants to use it to start a delivery service.
"Dancing With the Stars " 8 p.m. ABC — Tommy Chong made it into the top 5! Are voters smoking something?
"Gotham " 8 p.m. Fox — Harvey Dent encourages Gordon to work with Mayor James on the Wayne murder case.
"The Voice " 8 p.m. NBC — Both Atlantans Jean Kelly and James David Carter missed the cut last week into the top 12.
"Banksy Does New York " 9 p.m. HBO — For one month, the artist Banksy reveals his works on the streets of New York.
"Scorpion " 9 p.m. CBS — Cabe's ex-wife discovers evidence that suggests a prominent congressman's death involved foul play.
"Sleepy Hollow " 9 p.m. Fox — Abbie and Ichabod discover a surprising spirit is involved in deaths at Tarrytown Psych.
"State of Affairs " 10 p.m. NBC (new series) — Katherine Heigl stars as the top advisor to the President (Alfre Woodard).. CIA analyst Charlie Tucker and President Payton consider how to avenge the death of Payton's son.
" NCIS: Los Angeles " 10 p.m. CBS — Deeks and Kensi go under cover to investigate the murder of a former Marine.
" Castle " 10:01 p.m. ABC — Castle and Beckett go under cover as newlyweds at an Old West-style resort to investigate a murder.
TUESDAY
"MasterChef Junior" 8 p.m. Fox — The kids pair up in a challenge to create a box of 12 cupcakes.
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — The team investigates after a Petty Officer is killed in a hit and run accident.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — Two are eliminated and 10 are left.
"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." 9 p.m. ABC — Coulson and the team face off against Hydra as they try to uncover an ancient secret.
"New Girl " 9 p.m. Fox — Jess, Coach and Ryan attend a teachers' conference.
"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills " 9 p.m. Bravo (fifth season debut) — The women come face to face at Kyle's annual White Party.
"Chicago Fire " 10 p.m. CBS — The members of the firehouse spring into action when a helicopter explodes over a populated area.
"Sons of Anarchy " 10 p.m. FX — The SOA organization bears down on SAMCRO.
"Person of Interest " 10 p.m. CBS — To keep tabs on a talented young officer, Reese volunteers as a police academy instructor.
"Forever " 10 p.m. ABC — Henry and Jo investigate the death of a jazz saxophonist's son.
WEDNESDAY
"The Middle" 8 p.m. ABC — With the house in disrepair, Frankie suggests the family have Thanksgiving at the local buffet.
"Hell's Kitchen" 8 p.m. Fox — Contestants must create four Indian-inspired meals; Indian Cuisine night.
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS — A castaway plays dirty when his game is threatened.
"Duck Dynasty" 9 p.m. A&E (seventh season debut) — The family travels to Scotland in hopes of expanding the duck call business.
"Law & Order: SVU" 9 p.m. NBC — A man is found to be abusive toward his girlfriend, but the victim is reluctant to fight back.
"Criminal Minds" 9 p.m. CBS — The team investigates the disappearance of a prominent Boston attorney.
"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — With Phil and Luke cooking Thanksgiving dinner, Claire decides to prepare a secret back-up turkey.
"Black-ish" 9:30 p.m. ABC — When Dre's visiting mother butts heads with Bow, Dre searches for a way to get them to get along.
"American Horror Story" 10 p.m. FX — The women of the freak show rally against Dell; a strange encounter with Dandy.
"Nashville" 10 p.m. ABC — While at the 48th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Rayna finds Luke's prenuptial agreement.
"Top Chef" 10 p.m. Bravo — The chefs cook a Thanksgiving feast using only ingredients and cooking methods from the 1600s.
THURSDAY
"Grey's Anatomy" 8 p.m. ABC — A disagreement about a patient's case leads to a bigger argument between Meredith and Derek.
"Bones" 8 p.m. Fox — The team investigates when a crossword puzzle master is found in an urban fracking site.
"The Biggest Loser" 8 p.m. NBC — The contestants work to lose 50 pounds collectively so no one has to go home.
"The Big Bang Theory" 8 p.m. CBS — Sheldon is retiring his 'Fun With Flags' YouTube video series.
"Mom" 8:30 p.m. — Violet's strange behavior concerns Christy.
"Scandal" 9 p.m. ABC — With Command always two steps ahead, everyone in Olivia's life is in danger.
"Covert Affairs " 10 p.m. USA — After a startling revelation, Annie works with a new ally; McQuaid and Joan go into the field.
"How to Get Away With Murder " 10 p.m. ABC —The events of Sam's death on the night of the bonfire.
"Elementary " 10 p.m. CBS — Sherlock enlists Watson's help when an artificial intelligence software program is taken.
"Parenthood " 10 p.m. NBC — Tensions between Dylan and Max escalate, drawing Kristina and Adam into the conflict.
FRIDAY
"Last Man Standing" 8 p.m. ABC — Mike and Chuck search for rare incandescent lightbulbs after Vanessa gives away Mike's last ones.
"The Amazing Race" 8 p.m. CBS — The race continues in Valletta, Malta.
"Cristela " 8:31 p.m. ABC — Cristela tries to convince Felix to let Henry watch "West Side Story."
"Eat: The Story of Food " 9 p.m. NGC— Influential figures throughout the history of food; spotlights on chef Julia Child and many others.
"Grimm " 9 p.m. NBC — A woman claims a talking wolf drove her to madness; threats against Monroe and Rosalee intensify.
"Shark Tank " 9 p.m. ABC — Nick Woodman; pitches include a healthier tortilla chip and scented, manufactured fire logs.
"Hawaii Five-O " 9 p.m. CBS — Sons becomes the prime suspects in the murder of their parents.
"Blue Bloods " 10 p.m. CBS — When a cop's body camera malfunctions during an altercation, Frank is faced with public backlash.
WEEKEND
"An En Vogue Christmas" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — The members (Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Rhona Bennett) of En Vogue reunite for a Christmas concert to save a nightclub.
"A Royal Christmas" 8 p.m. Saturday Hallmark — Queen Isadora (Jane Seymour), the ruler of Cordinia, interferes with Prince Leopold's (Stephen Hagan) plans to marry a humble seamstress (Lacey Chabert) from Philadelphia.
"Hell on Wheels" 9 p.m. Saturday AMC (fourth season finale) — As the railroad prepares to leave Cheyenne behind after Sherman Peak; Cullen returns to Fort Smith.
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Cameron Diaz hosts.
"2014 American Music Awards" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — Pitball hosts again.
"The Christmas Shepherd" 8 p.m. Sunday Hallmark — Sally is heartbroken when her dog runs away during a thunderstorm. When she learns he was found by Mark, a widower, she travels to Boston to get him. Sally and Mark are given the best Christmas gifts of their lives when they fall in love.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Cynthia goes after Porsha.
"Homeland" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Carrie uses improvisation to salvage her mission; the CIA closes in on a leak.
"The Newsroom" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO — Leona and Reece try to raise cash to save the network; Will gets a surprise.
"The Walking Dead" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — Some members hold down the church while the others are on a rescue mission.
"The Good Wife" 9:30 p.m. Sunday CBS — Cary considers a plea deal involving jail time
"The Affair" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — The Solloways return to Brooklyn as the summer comes to an end.
"The Comeback" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO — Valerie is excited to meet her co-star during the first day on set for "Seeing Red."
"CSI" 10 p.m. Sunday ABC— The team investigate the death of a woman at a rehab facility.
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