One of the biggest challenges for a show like "The Amazing Race" (CBS, Sunday, 8 p.m.) is how to keep it fresh after 20 editions.
On the one hand, if they do the same show the same way over and over, it gets dull; but if they change the rules too much, they risk messing up the formula that made them successful in the first place.
Having seen the first episode, I can report that so far, the producers have found the correct amount of tweaks to put in. Nothing major has changed, but there are a few tweaks here and there that make for interesting and unexpected twists for the teams and the viewer.
No spoilers here, but I will say they've added an extra challenge to the launch of the race and a fun little twist to the roadblock. All of it helps contribute to one of the most unexpected finishes in "Race" history as the teams battle it out in Argentina.
As for the teams, there are fewer older teams this year. Two "Big Brother" contestants make up one team, continuing an annoying trend in which CBS puts winners of its other reality shows onto the "Race;" two "Jersey Shore" wanna-be guys make up another team; there are two law enforcement teams as a few couples teams as well.
Again, no spoilers here, but my early pick out of the gate was a team of twin brothers to win it all. Right now, my early favorites to root for is the husband and wife team in which the husband is an Afghanistan veteran and the two attractive Federal agents, because I'm pre-disposed to pull for hot chicks with guns.
The mountain men from Kentucky will likely be the love 'em-or-hate 'em team, because they are funny yet also a little annoying. These two guys ought to find work as extras on "Justified." Seriously.
WEEKEND'S BEST BETS: Mark Cuban really ticked me off on "Shark Tank" last week (ABC, 8 p.m.) Seriously, all the guy wanted to do was negotiate the best deal for himself after Cuban and another shark were going to buy his company outright for an innovative new wine cork, and Cuban gets into a hissy fit and forces the guy to take a lesser deal. Anyway, the Tank has been pretty fun this season. It's followed by a two-hour "20/20" devoted to the life and career of Whitney Houston.
"Nikita" (CW, 8 p.m.) continues as the gang tries to help Nikita's surrogate big sister, followed by a new "Supernatural." Meanwhile, Olivia has to deal with getting some of her memories of Peter back on "Fringe" (Fox, 9 p.m.)
CBS is all new with "Undercover Boss" on a new night, followed by "A Gifted Man" and "Blue Bloods." NBC airs the NAACP image awards.
On cable, both SyFy's "Merlin" and Starz's "Spartacus" are new at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, NBC burns off episodes of "The Firm" at 9 p.m., while BBC America wraps up Season 1 of "The Fades."
On Sunday, after an interminable two-week layoff, "The Good Wife" (CBS, 9 p.m.) returns with the aftermath of Will's grand jury investigation. Though he may be safe from criminal prosecution, he still has to deal with the state bar. Guest stars include Rita Wilson, Amy Sedaris, Parker Posey, Edward Hermann and Denis O'Hare, all recurring characters on this great show. It's followed by a new "CSI: Miami" at 10 p.m.
ABC has new episodes of "Once Upon A Time," "Desperate Housewives" and "Pan Am," while Fox has a new night of animation.
NBC begins a new season of "Celebrity Apprentice" at 9 p.m. I don't watch this show, but I'm pulling for Mr. Sulu or The Hulk to win (or George Takei and Lou Ferrigno, as they are better known as).
Season 2 of the insanely popular "Downtown Abbey" concludes on tonight's "Masterpiece" (PBS, 9 p.m.)
On cable, "Walking Dead" (AMC, 9 p.m.) deals with the aftermath of the shootout. BTW, how dumb is Lori? These are the final survivors of the human race? It's followed by Kevin Smith's "Comic Book Men" at 10 p.m.
HBO airs a new "Luck" at 9 p.m., while Showtime has "Shameless," "House of Lies" and "Californication" from 9-11 p.m.
