“Project Runway”
Thursday 9pm, Lifetime
It wasn’t long ago that I was bemoaning the state of this once-great fashion design show, but the charming “All Stars” spin-off did a lot to cleanse my Gretchen-and-Anya-stained palate (a second “All Stars” season is reportedly in the pipeline, by the way). Season 10 will feature 16 wannabe fashionistas vying to become the next great American fashion designer, and will feature the now-familiar team of Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and Tim Gunn. One of the new designers is named Gunnar Deatherage. I can’t wait to hear how Tim and Heidi pronounce that one.
“Bachelor Pad”
Monday 8pm, ABC
ABC’s “Bachelor” and its two spin-offs, “The Bachelorette” and this show, have emerged as the unlikely warhorse of the reality-TV mainstays. There have been a whopping 27 seasons between the three programs and they continue to pull in substantial viewership, especially for a decade-old franchise. It’s especially impressive when you consider that almost none of the relationships followed by the show have panned out, although a look through the various cast bios show an incredibly incestuous little world where former suitors from various seasons have since paired up in real life. Hence “Bachelor Pad,” a game show that gives these chiseled white folks another shot at “love,” but which also admits that these people mostly just want fame and money. In a twist this time around, among the 20 contestants will be five super fans who will join the largely awful former “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” contestants.
“Alphas”
Monday 10pm, Syfy
If you’re a fan of the X-Men comics and movies, or still raw over how horribly bungled NBC’s “Heroes” turned out after that excellent first season, this Syfy drama might be up your alley. David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) plays a scientist/psychiatrist who becomes aware of the existence of people with extraordinary abilities. Much like Professor Xavier, he gathers these folks—one can heighten her senses at will, one has super reflexes, etc.—to help track down other so-called “alphas,” and to work with the government on covert cases. Season 2 is stocked with nerd-baiting guest stars like Sean Astin (Sam from Lord of the Rings, but always Mikey from Goonies to me), C. Thomas Howell (currently on the big screen in The Amazing Spider-Man), Lauren Holly, and Summer Glau, beloved by dorks but a certified showkiller (“Firefly,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Dollhouse,” “The Cape”).