“Touch”
Wednesday 9pm, Fox
Kiefer Sutherland returns to television with this new drama-mystery from the mind of Tim Kring. You might recognize that name as the creator of NBC’s “Heroes,” which could be a good thing if this turns out like “Heroes” Season 1, or a terrible thing if it turns out like any other season of that misbegotten show. Sutherland plays a widower who is in danger of losing custody of his severely autistic 11-year-old son, who refuses to speak or even be touched by anyone. But Sutherland’s character realizes that his son is communicating to the world, just through a complicated numerical system that exposes a hidden connectivity between seemingly disparate people. It’s high concept, to be sure. Note that this is a preview airing; the series has yet to receive an official start date.
“Spartacus: Vengeance”
Friday 10pm, Starz
Starz’s divisive sword-and-sandals series returns with sad tidings. “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” immediately attracted a cult following for its surprisingly high production values, graphic violence, and even more graphic sex. But series lead Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer prior to the start of Season 2, and so the producers decided to buy time for his treatment by shooting a prequel mini-series, “Gods of the Arena,” which aired last year. The plan was for Whitfield to come back for this new season, subtitled “Vengeance,” but he relapsed and succumbed to his disease. So Starz has recast the Spartacus roll with Liam McIntyre, who at least looks great in naught but a loincloth. Finally we’ll be able to see the aftermath of Spartacus’ bloody revolt in the House of Batiatus, including the ex-gladiators’ war on the armies of Rome.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Monday 9pm, Logo
None of us have truly lived until we’ve seen drag queens engaging in a professional-wrestling match. So God bless drag icon RuPaul for giving us exactly that in this fourth season of her fierce reality competition. The 13 queens culled for this season are certainly a varied bunch. Initial impressions suggest that the producers want a plus-sized winner this year, given that at least a quarter of the ladyboys are on the bigger end of the spectrum. We’ve got some legendary drag from longtime L.A. performer Chad Michaels, some gender bending courtesy of cueball-sporting The Princess, and you’ve never seen anything like Sharon Needles, a zombie-inspired drag queen.