ShareThisBy TERRY MORROW
"Desperate Housewives" moves its story ahead six months in the third season opener (9 p.m., EDT/PDT, Sunday, ABC), with major change transpiring.
Mike the Plumber (James Denton) is in a coma after being hit by car. Susan (Teri Hatcher) is near his side, but she's also involved with someone new.
"We have a really dark murder mystery to drive the show (this season), just like it did in season one," Denton says. "It also involves a number of families. Mike is directly connected to the main mystery."
But by this season's third episode, "Desperate Housewives" will be back on track, he says. "The murder will be revealed (by then)," he says, and the suspects will be lining up.
Murder isn't on everyone's mind. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) is learning to deal with the aftermath of her husband's fling from 12 years ago. She discovered last season that hubby Tom has a daughter as a result.
"She is suddenly parked in their neighborhood," Huffman says of the daughter. "She is needy, and you can't suddenly cast her out."
With the newfound daughter is also her mother, with whom Tom was romantically involved before he married Lynette. Lynette "will feel empathetic toward the daughter," but not toward Tom's ex, says Huffman.
Other highlights for the week of Sept. 24-30 (all times Eastern; check local listings; subject to change):
SUNDAY, Sept. 24
_ "Three Moons Over Milford" (8 p.m. ABC Family). The end is near for the comedy-drama about the end of the world. But don't fret: A new season probably is on the horizon.
_ "The Amazing Race" (8 p.m. CBS). A new set of racers start running. I can almost feel the apathy building from the viewing public already.
_ "Family Guy" (9 p.m. Fox). A super-store chain moves into town, causing Stewie and Brian to plot the store's downfall.
_ "Without A Trace" (10 p.m. CBS). Discovered the show missing on Thursday night? Well, it's here now, Sherlock.
_ "Brothers & Sisters" (10 p.m. ABC). You can't pick your family, but you can pick whether to watch a dysfunctional one. Calista Flockhart returns to series TV as a conservative talk show host butting heads with her liberal family.
_ "12 Oz. Mouse" (11:45 p.m. Cartoon Network). A mouse with a drinking problem is the center of this comedy, back for a second season.
MONDAY, Sept. 25
_ "Heroes" (9 p.m. NBC). Seven strangers are shocked to learn they have superpowers, though we probably don't want to see all of them in spandex.
_ "Runaway" (9 p.m. CW). A family is on the lam after dad is accused of murder, but they face something even worse: Life in a small Midwest town.
TUESDAY, Sept. 26
_ "Help Me Help You" (9:30 p.m. ABC). Ted Danson, you are back as a therapist in this new sitcom. Let me help you ... find a better agent.
THURSDAY, Sept. 28
_ "Ugly Betty" (8 p.m. ABC). A modest-looking young woman finds life at a high-fashion magazine to be less than picture perfect in this beautiful comedy.
_ "Grey's Anatomy" (9 p.m. ABC). The interns try to get Izzie reinstated, but it's not looking good.
_ "Six Degrees" (10 p.m. ABC). Six strangers touch each other's lives without really knowing it in this new drama.
_ "Shark" (10 p.m. CBS). A big fish (James Woods) ends up in a different pond when he makes changes in his courtroom career.
FRIDAY, Sept. 29
_ "The Mexican-American War" (8 p.m. History Channel). Oscar De La Hoya does a play-by-play action of the historic event.
_ "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team" (9 p.m. CMT). It's like "American Idol" but nobody sings.
_ "Paula's Party" (10 p.m. Food Network). Paula Deen cooks up dishes from her home in Georgia.
