SharkTank

NCIS - Tuesday January 12, 8 pm, Global/CBS

Tonight, the 150th episode of 'NCIS' airs, and it strikes me that it's about time I watched this show. It always seemed like an unlikely hit to me. As a spin-off of 'JAG', it seemed hopelessly old-fashioned, and I was busy watching Grissom on 'CSI'. But Grissom has gone the way of the dodo, and now 'NCIS' is a ratings hit, an award-winner and has a spin-off of its very own in 'NCIS: Los Angeles.' But I do think it's interesting that the big guest star tonight is Robert Wagner, who was born in 1930. Now that's old-fashioned.

Okay, take the idea of Shark Tank (or Dragon's Den if you're a BBC America fan), mix it with the Top Chef folks, offer a great grand prize and hope for the best. That's the recipe behind NBC's new food competition show, United Plates of America. The network is turning to the Magical Elves from Top Chef -- no, seriously, that's the production company's name -- to succeed in the food field where NBC has flopped in the past. Remember The Chopping Block? Remember Rocco DiSpirito's The Restaurant? NBC has more luck with the dieters on The Biggest Loser.

This go-round is not about a single restaurant. It's about a chain of restaurants. To me, that's a questionable goal. Most successful chains start off with one great restaurant and then take off. This concept is go big or go home. Maybe it's more complicated, but it doesn't sound that way.

In the season 1 finale of 'Shark Tank,' the sharks fought viciously over an bobble head business; a smartphone holder that solves the problem of tangled headphones; the Uro Club, a urine receptacle for golfers; and a Web site for high school athletes to manage their recruiting process.

This week on TV: Marshall and Ted take a road trip, Eric McCormack guests on 'Old Christine,' and brace yourself for a 'Real Housewives' catfight.

MONDAY, OCT. 19
'How I Met Your Mother' (8PM, CBS)
What does Kenny Rogers have to do with Barney's attempts to persuade Robin to become a U.S. citizen? Nothing. But The Gambler does figure into Marshall and Ted's plan for a legen – wait for it – dary road trip, which is ruined when Lily insists on joining them. And Mr. Rogers? He narrates the audio book they listen to when they hit the road.

'Heroes' – Samuel and Sylar working together? That can't end well. (8PM, NBC)
'Man Caves' – 'Ace of Cakes' Duff Goldman gets a new hangout space (8:30PM, DIY)
'Greek' – Everyone finds out Evan lost his trust fund (9PM, ABC Family)
'Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags' – A history of NYC's garment district (9PM, HBO)
'The Big Bang Theory' – Wil Wheaton guest stars as Sheldon's nemesis (9:30PM, CBS)

Mark your calendars: On Sat., Sept. 5, ABC will officially debut its 2009 fall TV schedule, launching a full month's worth of series premieres ('Cougar Town'; 'The Middle'; 'Flash Foward'), along with the return of favorites like 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Desperate Housewives' and the much-anticipated 9th season of 'Dancing With the Stars.'

Want to know when to save the date? Check out ABC's full schedule, including show titles, times and dates, after the jump.