CBS is the one network that isn't too unhappy with its early ratings, and its biggest series won't even make its first appearance until this week. CSI returns (Thursday, 9 p.m.) with the aftermath of the murder of Warrick Brown, who was shot in May's season finale. Viewers already know who did the deed so the typical CSI whodunit aspect will not apply, but seeing the crew grappling with their emotions will be a major change of pace. It's not the only change in store for this season, what with William Petersen winding things down within a few weeks and Laurence Fishburne coming on board.

Also this week:

Monday: Chuck (NBC, 8 p.m.): Speaking of CSI, its best remembered guest star, Melinda "Lady Heather" Clarke, appears this week as a spy called the Black Widow, who needs to be seduced by Chuck in order that our hero might retrieve a valuable item.

Tuesday: Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo, 9 p.m.): Will there someday be as many Bravo housewives shows as there are large American cities? Real Housewives of Wasilla, perhaps? Get ready for Nene, Lisa, Kim, Deshawn, and Sheree.

Wednesday: The Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): The third season of the semi-fictional adventures of America's most non-mainstream mainstream comedian opens with Sarah smoking pot for the first time, and being stunned at the insights that come to her. Eating a two-pound bag of Doritos in one sitting is not insight, Sarah.

Thursday: Kath & Kim (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): Molly Shannon and Selma Blair star in this remake of a hit Australian series about a spoiled, dopey, newly divorced young woman who moves back in with her oh-so-conventional mother. Will fans of the downscale humor of My Name is Earl stick around for this one?

Friday: The Starter Wife (USA, 9 p.m.): USA decided that what was planned as a limited run series still had a lot of life left in it (the ratings couldn't have hurt), so Debra Messing returns as a Hollywood divorcee trying to start all over again in a city where women are deemed disposable at 40. One wonders what took USA so long to branch out beyond the crime orientation.

Sunday: Rock of Love Charm School and The Pick Up Artist 2 (VH1, 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.): Charm School is back with "ladies" from the two seasons of Rock of Love, and with Sharon Osbourne, famous for insisting on etiquette in her own family, replacing Mo'nique as host. The Pick Up Artist finds gangly seduction expert "Mystery" in Phoenix with a new collection of geeks attempting to use techniques that all single women are now well aware of, because Mystery couldn't keep his damn mouth shut.

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