“The Class” (8 p.m., today on NBC). With producers from “Friends” and “Mad About You” pulling the comic strings, and with a cool, attractive young cast headed by Jason Ritter (“Joan of Arcadia”), the sly friendship sitcom makes a favorable and very funny first impression.

“Runaway” (9 p.m., CW, Sept. 25). Going on the lam with Mom and Dad. Donnie Wahlberg (“Boomtown”) plays an attorney framed for murder who grabs his wife (Leslie Hope, “24”) and three kids and takes off in a promising, unconventional family drama mash-up of “Running on Empty” and “The Fugitive.”

“Heroes” (9 p.m., NBC, Sept. 25). This serialized, supernatural tale about a globally diverse group of ordinary people who discover they mysteriously possess extraordinary powers-starring Milo Ventimiglia (“Gilmore Girls”) and Ali Larter (“Final Destination”) among others-is a colorful comic book adventure infused with heart and humanity. But will it ever grow beyond the cult audience sure to embrace it?

Tuesday

Three versions of mega-popular “CSI” lead a forensics-drenched police blotter lineup of nine procedurals. So crime definitely pays for CBS. But “Smith” (10 p.m. Tuesday, CBS, Sept. 19) works the wrong side of the law. It’s all about the criminals this time, as producer John Wells (“ER”) weaves dark tales about a band of professional thieves headed by Ray Liotta.

“Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m., NBC, Oct. 3). Say yes to pigskin family values. In a nicely done weekly series adaptation of the hit movie, set against the backdrop of high-pressure Texas high school football, Kyle Chandler (“Evening Edition”) is the new coach on the small town hot seat of great gridiron expectations.

Wednesday

“Jericho” (8 p.m., CBS, Sept. 20). Mushroom cloud soup. Skeet Ulrich, Gerald McRaney and Pamela Reed star in a mystery-laced nuclear apocalypse thriller about the residents of a small Kansas town who see a mushroom cloud on the horizon and freak out.

“Kidnapped” (10 p.m., NBC, Sept. 20). The upside? A smart, twisty thriller, starring Timothy Hutton and Dana Delany as a rich Manhattan couple whose teenage son is kidnapped, and with hired gun Jeremy Sisto (“Six Feet Under”) and FBI Agent Delroy Lindo as the sharp-witted rescuers.

Thursday

“Til Death” (8 p.m., Fox, debuted Sept. 7). So following the Emmy love he received on the long, successful run of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Brad Garrett chose this drably sarcastic sitcom about a churlish middle-aged married couple for his return to prime time? Bad move.

“Six Degrees” (10 p.m., ABC, Sept. 21). Romance dance. The diverse lives of six attractive New Yorkers-including independent movie favorites Campbell Scott and Hope Davis-fatefully intersect in a slick upscale soap opera that makes a rather bland first impression considering the talented actors and producers (i.e. J.J. Abrams, “Lost,” “Alias”) involved.

Friday

“Men in Trees” (8 p.m. Friday, ABC). If you’re looking for a lively comic drama about men, women and romance, “Sex and the City” producer Jenny Bicks has it. These are the witty, appealing travails of Anne Heche as a best-selling relationship expert whose own love life falls apart just as she’s stranded in a remote Alaskan town filled with manly men.

Think “Sex and the City” and “Northern Exposure” enjoying a happy hook-up.

SATURDAY

Saturday night has long been the big networks’ dumping ground for tons of reruns, including NBC and CBS crime procedurals. But ABC’s already enjoyed a nice boost from the fresh fall season addition of “ESPN on ABC Saturday Night Football.” So far, the prime time college games have included attractive match-ups with Notre Dame-George Tech and Ohio State-Texas. OK, so you’re not a sports fan. You could always soak up the new My Network TV’s Saturday night soap opera recaps of “Desire” and “Fashion House.” And if you’re not into catfights and cheesy dialogue, well, guess it’s back to DVDs.

SUNDAY

Shake, rattle and smash-mouth.

NBC scored the biggest Sunday night change of all with what we’ll playfully tag “Extreme Makeover: The NFL Edition.” The arrival of “Sunday Night Football” (8 p.m. Sunday, NBC) instantly boosts the Peacock Network’s Sunday profile and wins big with advertisers seeking male viewers.

Meanwhile, ABC hopes the still popular “Desperate Housewives” recovers from a sophomore slump in time to give high-profile stars Calista Flockhart and Sally Field a nice ratings send-off on “Brothers & Sisters” (10 p.m., ABC, Sept. 24).

The high-gloss upscale soap opera-in comfy Sunday proximity to the women of Wisteria Lane-follows the emotional roller-coaster ride of the adult siblings in a wealthy California family. Field is the flaming liberal family matriarch, Flockhart the prodigal right wing daughter and conservative TV pundit. The impressive cast also includes “Six Feet Under” alumna Rachel Griffiths and former “Alias” spy guy Balthazar Getty.

Sunday’s other new series:

“The Game” (8:30 p.m., CW, Oct. 1). The sprightly “Girlfriends” spin-off, starring likable Tia Mowry (“Sister, Sister”), charts the comical lives of the wives and girlfriends of the players on a San Diego pro football team. UPN regularly enjoyed some Monday night success with its black-oriented sitcom lineup. Now the new CW has moved the lineup to a tougher competitive environment on Sunday nights. But Chris Rock’s witty, terrific “Everybody Hates Chris” is a funny, top-quality lead-off.

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