Tuesday Night TV: New Shows Tonight

There are two new (and very different) shows premiering tonight at 8pm. The one we will probably try to catch is The Unit (KEYE/CBS). Dennis Haysbert ("24") and Scott Foley (or as we think of him, Jennifer Garner's ex) star in this secret agent/military drama. We are intrigued enough to check it out because a) David Mamet is one of the producers, and b) Regina Taylor plays Mr. Haysbert's wife. We have fond memories of her from I'll Fly Away, the early 90's drama based in the civil rights era South. The ads for The Unit don't give too much away. What we figure is that the show is a drama about the men in this fictional military unit and the women who hold them together. Or something like that.

Also on tonight at 8pm is the comedy Sons and Daughters (KVUE/ABC). What we can tell from the ads: Lorne Michaels is producing the show, it's half-improv, and it looks like a suburban version of our favorite doomed comedy "Arrested Development". It features the mom from E.T. and the guy who did the Robot on that Geico ad.

And don't forget the second episode of the new Amazing Race is on at 9pm (KEYE/CBS). Our favorite teams so far are BJ & Tyler and David & Lori. This season is looking much better than last season (the "family edition").