It's a big weekend for Showtime, which brings back Dexter, its most popular series, and Californication, which is ... well, I know a lot of you like it. Dexter begins a third year of serial killing (Sunday, 9 PM) with its title character in a state of domestic happiness with Rita and the kids. But an unplanned encounter leads to Dexter being put in a position where he has to violate the "code" which states he can only kill the guilty. In need of a new nemesis with his old boss Doakes now sleeping with the gators, Dexter makes the acquaintance of a new district attorney (Jimmy Smits) who just may be as clever as he is. The mayhem should last the rest of the year. Merry Christmas.

The first season of Californication ended with horndog author Hank Moody (David Duchovny) barging in to stop his ex, Karen, from getting married. The main question for the new season is whether Hank can really keep it in his pants for just one woman. The premiere (Showtime, Sunday 10 PM) finds Hank, Karen, and irritating daughter Becca planning to move back to New York, before Hank's sexual shenanigans put various crimps in the idea. Duchovny's own recent announcement that he's being treated for sex addiction can't help but create publicity for Californication given its main theme, but this was one of my least favorite shows on television in 2007 -- the writing was crude, and the characters were unlikable and unbelievable in equal measure -- and it's hard to imagine things have gotten better.

America's Toughest Jobs (NBC, tonight 8 PM): The description of this episode says that the final eight are preparing to become bullfighters this week, although the activities they're involved with sound more like basic rodeo tasks. At any rate, this leads into the presidential debate, where there will no doubt be enough bull for all of us.

Gone Country (CMT, tonight 8 PM): The second season ends with the country crossovers debuting their original songs before a live Nashville audience. The winner will no doubt go on to the same astonishing success as first season winner Julio Iglesias Jr.

Presidential Debate (various, tonight 9 PM): OK, something is happening tonight in Oxford, Miss.: either a debate between John McCain and Barack Obama focusing on foreign policy, or some sort of Obama solo performance if McCain is still in campaign suspension mode. Jim Lehrer will moderate.

Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger (HBO, Saturday 9 PM): Rock's fifth standup special for HBO was filmed in London, New York, and Johannesburg. I'm thinking he just may have something to say about a certain upcoming election.

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday 11:30 PM): For the third show of the new season, SNL finally decided to bring on a guest host known for comedy: Anna Faris. Duffy is the musical guest.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, Sunday 7 PM and 8 PM): Ty and his crew provide a new home for a woman who inherited the children of her late sister, giving her 14 kids under the same roof. Man, I hope a two-parter gives them enough time to build all the bathrooms they will need.

Behind the Music (VH1, 8 PM): How long has it been since we had a new one of these? The topic tonight: New Kids on the Block. Do these dweebs really have an hour's worth of scandal? They were hardly the Go-Go's.

The Amazing Race (CBS, 8 PM): A 13th season of international drama opens with eleven teams heading from Los Angeles to Brazil. At first glance, the cast appears devoid of the athletic young men who always seem to win whenever they are allowed to compete, but they didn't forget the proverbial bickering couples. Joy.

The Simpsons (Fox, 8 PM): The people of Springfield have been coming into our homes for 20 years now. Marge gets a job at an erotic bakery, while Homer is tossed in jail after a fight on St. Patrick's Day. Don't wear orange to the parade next time, Homer.

King of the Hill (Fox, Sunday 8:30 PM): The 13th season of television's most underrated show begins with Bill being diagnosed with diabetes, a consequence of his lousy diet. I'm sure it's less of a Very Special Episode than it sounds.

Cold Case (CBS, Sunday 9 PM): Season Six begins with the re-opening of the 1973 case of a murdered college football star, given new evidence that steroids may have played a role in the crime.

Desperate Housewives (ABC, Sunday 9 PM): As you may recall from May, we're now five years into the future on Wisteria Lane as the fifth season begins. Bree appears on the verge of success as a food guru, to the displeasure of Katherine; Susan has a secret new relationship; Gaby is struggling with the demands of motherhood and the perceived loss of her sexiness; and Lynette's teenagers are becoming more than just nuisances.

Family Guy (Fox, Sunday 9 PM): A new season begins with Brian meeting the perfect woman, but his indecisiveness leaves an opening for Cleveland to put the moves on her instead. Why yes: Brian is a dog. So what's your point?

True Blood (HBO, Sunday 9 PM): Jason becomes the suspect in another killing, but Sookie may be able to come to his aid; Sookie asks Bill to take her to a vampire bar. I suppose it gets a little messy there around the time of Last Call.

American Dad (Fox, Sunday 9:30 PM): The fourth season gets under way with the celebration of a milestone birthday for Roger: he's 1600. But the family is distracted by Stevie's announcement that he's entered puberty.

Brothers & Sisters (ABC, Sunday 10 PM): The incestiest show on television begins its third season with ex-step-siblings Justin and Rebecca trying to hide their forbidden passion, Kitty and Robert beginning the adoption process, and the Walker kids trying to make contact with their latest secret brother.

Entourage (HBO, Sunday 10 PM): Drama makes an appearance on The View; Ari continues in his efforts to find the right project for Vince's comeback; Eric's own project edges forward.

Mad Men (AMC, 10 PM): All season long, it's looked like Freddy Rumsen (Joel Murray) was just barely hanging on, and he may really have something to drink about after tonight. Also, Pete again tries to find a way to weasel his way into the inner circle. Congrats on that Emmy, guys.

The Unit (CBS, Sunday 10 PM): The fourth season opener finds the team with a new mission: preventing an assassination plot against the newly elected president and vice president from being carried out, while at the same time worrying about their families, who are being given secret identities in new locations as a precaution.

Little Britain USA (HBO, Sunday 10:30 PM): The British sketch comedy show headed by David Walliams and Matt Lucas now has an American edition. In the premiere, Rosie O'Donnell attends a weight loss meeting, and British tourists arrive at a Mississippi motel.

The Life and Times of Tim (HBO, Sunday 11 PM): This animated series from creator Steve Dildarian deals with the travails of an average guy, which at least this week include having a girlfriend and a prostitute in his apartment at the same time, and finding himself the unwilling subject of a friend's bachelor party story. Average guys just aren't that interesting.

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