What to Watch Wednesday, Nov. 12

'Top Chef'
(10PM, Bravo) 5th season premiere
At last, the greatest cooking show known to personkind (sorry, Bobby Flay, Emeril, etc., but it's true) hits New York City, where 17 new contestants try to win $100,000.

Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons are back to judge the foodie prowess of the contestants, along with food critic and author Toby Young as the newest judge.

In the super-sized, 75-minute premiere, the chefs' challenge involves shopping in various NYC neighborhoods to whip up tasty dishes influenced by the culturally-diverse 'hoods. Guest judge for the challenge: Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the world-renowned chef, i.e. definitely someone the wannabes want to impress.


'Top Chef'
(10PM, Bravo) 5th season premiere
At last, the greatest cooking show known to personkind (sorry, Bobby Flay, Emeril, etc., but it's true) hits New York City, where 17 new contestants try to win $100,000.

Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons are back to judge the foodie prowess of the contestants, along with food critic and author Toby Young as the newest judge.

In the super-sized, 75-minute premiere, the chefs' challenge involves shopping in various NYC neighborhoods to whip up tasty dishes influenced by the culturally-diverse 'hoods. Guest judge for the challenge: Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the world-renowned chef, i.e. definitely someone the wannabes want to impress.

'The 42nd Annual CMA Awards'
(8PM, ABC)
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood co-host and perform on the 42nd annual kudosfest, which also includes performances by Kid Rock, Sugarland, the Eagles, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban.

'Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work'
(Check local listings for time, PBS) miniseries premiere
The six-hour documentary, which concludes on Nov. 19 and 26, goes behind-the-scenes for a private look at Queen Elizabeth II and the inner workings of the British royal fam, including QEII's 2007 trip to the United States and the Queen's headline-making hissy fit at photog Annie Leibovitz.

'Estate of Panic'
(10PM, Sci Fi) series premiere
What up with Sci Fi and the network's new fondness for reality competitions? In this series, which follows last night's premiere of 'Cha$e,' seven contestants try to find hidden cash in a fright-filled mansion.

'Bones'
(8PM, Fox)
Guess who's gonna be jealous when Brennan goes on a date with Jared (guest star and 'Roswell' alum Brendan Fehr)? Yep, Jared's big bro, Booth.

'Sons of Anarchy'
(10PM, FX) There are only three episodes left in season one (season two's already gotten a green light), including tonight's episode, in which baby Abel may finally be released from the hospital, though he's not the only one returning home to Jax.

Also on tonight:
- 'Life' (9PM, NBC)
- 'South Park' (10PM, Comedy Central)


What's on tomorrow: 'Redemption Song,' 'Dirty Sexy Money' and more

Check out our TV calendar for a look at the month ahead