Capsule previews of four returning network series

The Orlando Sentinel (MCT) - The new television season officially starts Monday. The networks hope old favorites still have their oomph or can win back viewers. Television critic Hal Boedeker looks at four returning series.

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_"Dancing With the Stars"

Season start: 8 to 10 p.m. Monday, 9 to 10 p.m. Tuesday and 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.

Why it's important: It's ABC's highest-rated series.

Top players: Thirteen new celebrities share their dance abilities. Marquee names include Susan Lucci, Cloris Leachman, Warren Sapp, Lance Bass and Toni Braxton.

Change of note: Maksim Chmerkovskiy returns to dance with Olympian Misty May-Treanor.

Major mysteries: Can Lucci and Leachman keep pace with the others? Does Sapp have the moves and the charm? Does Ted McGinley's participation mean the show has jumped the shark?

_"Heroes"

Season start: 8 to 11 p.m. Monday on NBC. The two-hour opener follows a one-hour retrospective.

Why it's important: The drama bolstered NBC two years ago, but logged a disappointing second season.

Top players: In an hour screened for critics, Sylar (Zachary Quinto), Claire (Hayden Panettiere) and Hiro (Masi Oka) were standouts.

Change of note: Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) makes a fateful choice.

Major mysteries: Why has Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) changed? Will Quinto emerge as a bigger star? Can Heroes be a phenomenon again after being off the air nine months?

_"Grey's Anatomy"

Season start: 9 to 11 p.m. Thursday on ABC.

Why it's important: The medical drama put ABC on the map on Thursdays.

Top players: Will Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) find happiness? Izzie (Katherine Heigl) will have a prominent story.

Change of note: Kevin McKidd comes aboard as military doctor who charms Cristina (Sandra Oh). The hospital loses its status as a top teaching hospital.

Major mysteries: What happens to Izzie after Heigl dissed the writing last season for her character? How long will Heigl stick around? Can "Grey's" get a jump on "CSI"? (The CBS drama returns Oct. 9.)

_"Ugly Betty"

Season start: 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.

Top players: Betty Suarez (America Ferrera) and Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius) make major decisions in the premiere.

Change of note: The show has shifted production to New York.

Major mysteries: Will Betty and Gio (Freddy Rodriguez) grow closer? Will Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) connive with ease? Can the show bounce back from an uneven sophomore season?

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