LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- FOX has released synopses of all 16 of its returning series. They are as follows:

[EDITOR'S NOTE: These descriptions contain SPOILERS about various plot developments and cast changes, most notably "24" and "'Til Death."]

24

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television

CREATORS: Joel Surnow, Bob Cochran

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Ganza, Kiefer Sutherland, Brian Grazer

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Chip Johannessen, Patrick Harbinson

CAST: Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe O'Brian, Cherry Jones as President Allison Taylor, Anil Kapoor as Arman Hashemi, Annie Wersching as Renee Walker

Returning for a remarkable eighth season, 24 is one of the most innovative, addictive and acclaimed dramas on television. The suspenseful series has been nominated for a total of 57 Emmy awards, winning for Outstanding Drama Series (2006) and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for star Kiefer Sutherland (2006). For each season, Sutherland has garnered an Emmy nomination and the Season Seven prequel, "24: Redemption," earned him Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. Season Eight of 24 promises to combine the show's unique and trend-setting format with compelling new elements. Each episode will again cover one hour of real time, as viewers follow JACK BAUER (Sutherland) through another astonishing day. Amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations, Bauer will endure another unthinkable, nail-biting day in New York City. Steadfast PRESIDENT ALLISON TAYLOR (Cherry Jones) navigates the uncertain waters of foreign and domestic policy while quirky CHLOE O'BRIAN (Mary Lynn Rajskub) and FBI agent RENEE WALKER (Annie Wersching) return. Additionally, Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor ("Slumdog Millionaire") will make his American TV debut as ARMAN HASHEMI, a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission. 24, created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, is a production of 20th Century Fox Television in association with Imagine Television. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Ganza, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers, while Chip Johannessen and Patrick Harbinson serve as co-executive producers.

AMERICAN DAD

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 20th Century Fox Television

CO-CREATORS: Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman, Kenny Schwartz, Rick Wiener

VOICE CAST: Seth MacFarlane as Stan Smith and Roger, Wendy Schaal as Francine Smith, Rachael MacFarlane as Hayley Smith, Scott Grimes as Steve Smith, Dee Bradley Baker as Klaus

AMERICAN DAD, the animated series that follows die-hard Republican and card-carrying NRA member STAN SMITH (Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family in Langley Falls, VA, is back to salute a fifth season of laughs.

Stan's not-so-smart wife FRANCINE (Wendy Schaal) has an unfaltering loyalty that allows her to turn a blind eye toward Stan's unabashed arrogance. Stan constantly butts heads with his 18-year-old daughter HAYLEY (Rachael MacFarlane), who knows just how to push her father's buttons by being liberal in both her beliefs and in the amount of hippie boyfriends she chooses to date. Hayley's 14-year-old brother is the geeky yet cocky STEVE (Scott Grimes), a kid who seems to be on the constant verge of puberty but can't quite make sense of the opposite sex.

The Smith household is rounded out by two rather unconventional members. There's the selfish and sarcastic space alien, ROGER (Seth MacFarlane), who lives in the attic and drinks like it's always happy hour; and KLAUS (Dee Bradley Baker), an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German guy who is always willing to vocalize his opinions whether anyone is listening or not.

This eccentric family full of radically different personalities is just trying to find a way to love and trust each other during these increasingly unpredictable times. And with a guy like Stan in charge of our national security, it's a hilarious ride.

The comedy continues this season as the series celebrates its 100th episode milestone, Steve accidentally launches a secret military drone, Roger impersonates the dictator of a tropical island and Francine and Stan renew their wedding vows.

AMERICAN DAD is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman serve as co-creators and executive producers, while Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz serve as executive producers.

AMERICAN IDOL

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: FremantleMedia North America, 19 Entertainment, Ltd.

CREATOR: Simon Fuller

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Ken Warwick

HOST: Ryan Seacrest

JUDGES: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi

AMERICAN IDOL returns for its much-anticipated ninth season in January 2010. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, television's No. 1 hit series empowers contestants and viewers to share their voice in deciding who will be America's next singing superstar. This new season promises to deliver amazing, undiscovered talent with plenty of surprises along the way. Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom. The show's judges � Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi � travel across the country in search of the next American Idol. They winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week for a studio audience and television viewers. The judges have their say after every performance, but it's the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text-messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night's broadcast. Eventually the competition is narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the AMERICAN IDOL title. Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook have become household names and have risen to the top of the recording industry. Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd. The series is executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America.

AMERICA'S MOST WANTED

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: STF Productions, Inc., 20th Century Fox Television

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Lance Heflin

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Steve Katz

HOST: John Walsh

Approaching its 23rd season and 1000th milestone episode this fall, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED is one of network television's longest-running series and continues to be the No. 1 show on Saturday nights. Lauded by law enforcement organizations nationwide and internationally, this hour hosted by John Walsh has changed the lives of thousands of crime victims � and has put more than 1,000 perpetrators behind bars. The show is a powerful voice for crime victims everywhere. Among its many accomplishments, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED has helped capture more than 1,060 criminals, including 17 on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. The series has also reunited 55 missing children with their families, which is Walsh's proudest achievement. In 2003, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED and John Walsh made national headlines for their determined efforts leading to the recovery of kidnapped teen Elizabeth Smart. Later that year, Walsh joined President George W. Bush in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House as the PROTECT Act of 2003, which expanded the use of Amber Alerts, was signed into law. AMW again broadcast from the White House on July 29, 2006, two days after another Rose Garden ceremony at which President Bush signed into law the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. The result of years of lobbying by Walsh and others, the new law � signed on the 25th anniversary of the abduction and murder of Walsh's 6-year-old son, Adam � expands the National Sex Offender Registry and strengthens federal penalties for crimes against children. Additionally, Walsh continues his lobbying efforts pushing states to pass laws requiring the collection of a DNA sample from those arrested. So far, 18 states have passed such laws helping to populate the newly created National DNA Database. Since its premiere in 1988, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED's primary focus has been to profile dangerous fugitives, and with the help of viewers, assist law enforcement with their relentless pursuit of justice. AMERICA'S MOST WANTED is produced by STF Productions, Inc. and 20th Century Fox Television. Lance Heflin serves as executive producer, and Steve Katz serves as co-executive producer.

BONES

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Far Field Productions, Josephson Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television

CREATOR: Hart Hanson

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson, Stephen Nathan

CAST: Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan, David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth, TJ Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins, Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro, Tamara Taylor as Dr. Camille "Cam" Saroyan, John Francis Daley as Dr. Lance Sweets

From executive producers Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson and Stephen Nathan comes the fifth exciting season of BONES, a darkly amusing procedural with humor, heart and character, inspired by real-life forensic anthropologist and novelist Kathy Reichs. DR. TEMPERANCE BRENNAN (Emily Deschanel) is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, DC, and writes novels as a sideline. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless � when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed � law enforcement calls in Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim's bones. Most law enforcement can't handle Brennan's intelligence, her drive for the truth, or the way she flings herself headlong into every investigation. SPECIAL AGENT SEELEY BOOTH (David Boreanaz) of the FBI's Homicide Investigations Unit is the exception. A former Army sniper, Booth mistrusts science and scientists � the "squints," as he calls them � who pore over the physical evidence of a crime. But even he cannot deny that the combination of his people-smarts and Brennan's scientific acumen makes them a formidable team. Aside from Booth, Brennan is most comfortable with her equally brilliant colleagues at the Jeffersonian's Medico-Legal Lab. ANGELA MONTENEGRO (Michaela Conlin), an artist who specializes in reconstructing facial features and crime scenes, is Brennan's earthy and bawdy best friend; "the bug guy," conspiracy theorist DR. JACK HODGINS (TJ Thyne), is an expert on insects, spores and minerals; and DR. CAMILLE "CAM" SAROYAN (Tamara Taylor), the street-smart and centered coroner, must wrangle all the geniuses under her purview. Lending his professional expertise to Brennan and Booth is DR. LANCE SWEETS (John Francis Daley), a brilliant young FBI psychologist who is equally adept at profiling murderers and providing "couples therapy" to Booth and Brennan. As Season Five of BONES begins, Booth and Brennan contend with the emotional fallout resulting from the sea-change in their relationship brought about by events at the end of Season Four. This includes Brennan's request to have Booth father her child and the strange, profound, almost psychic link they shared during Booth's coma, which left both of them wondering what thoughts and emotions the other is experiencing. While Booth endeavors to come to grips with these unleashed emotions, Brennan insists that, with the aid of her "squints" in the lab, the two of them focus their attention and energy on their main job � catching murderers that no one else can catch. BONES is from Far Field Productions and Josephson Entertainment in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson and Stephen Nathan are executive producers.

COPS

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Langley Productions, Inc., Fox Television Studios

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: John Langley

SUPERVISING PRODUCER: Doug Waterman

PRODUCERS: Jimmy Langley, Morgan Langley

Entering an amazing 22nd season, the groundbreaking series COPS � which was instrumental in launching the reality genre with its video v�rit� style � has penetrated the American psyche unlike any other show in television history. Next season, the four-time Emmy Award-nominated program celebrates a remarkable milestone 800th episode, making it one of the longest-running primetime series currently airing on broadcast television. COPS continues to rank No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-49 and key demographics. COPS has profiled law enforcement agencies in over 140 United States cities and has also filmed in Hong Kong, London, Central and South America, Moscow and St. Petersburg. It was the first American television program to follow the police in the former Soviet Union. Next season, COPS will cover the U.S. from coast to coast, filming police activity in California, Florida, Texas, Ohio and Las Vegas. John Langley is the creator and executive producer of COPS for Langley Productions, Inc. in association with Fox Television Studios. Doug Waterman serves as supervising producer, while Jimmy Langley and Morgan Langley serve as producers.

DOLLHOUSE

PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20th Century Fox Television

CREATOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Joss Whedon

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Liz Craft, Sarah Fain, David Solomon

PRODUCER: Eliza Dushku

WRITER: Joss Whedon

CAST: Eliza Dushku as Echo, Tahmoh Penikett as Paul Ballard, Olivia Williams as Adelle DeWitt, Harry Lennix as Boyd Langton, Fran Kranz as Topher Brink, Dichen Lachman as Sierra, Enver Gjokaj as Victor

CAROLINE (Dushku) � code name "Echo" � is an "Active," a member of a highly illegal and underground group of individuals who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Hired by the wealthy, powerful and connected, the Actives don't just perform their hired roles, they wholly become � with mind, personality and physiology � whomever the client wants or needs them to be. Whether imprinted to be a lover, an assassin, a corporate negotiator or a best friend, the Actives know no other life than the specific engagements they are in at that time. Confined between missions to a secret facility known as the "Dollhouse," Echo and the other Actives, including SIERRA (Dichen Lachman) and VICTOR (Enver Gjokaj), are assigned engagements by ADELLE DEWITT (Olivia Williams), one of the Dollhouse's leaders. After each scenario, Echo, always under the watchful eye of her handler, turned head-of security, BOYD LANGTON (Harry Lennix), returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings, experiences and knowledge are erased by TOPHER BRINK (Fran Kranz), the Dollhouse's genius programmer. Echo enters the next scenario with no memory of before � or does she? � as she seemingly begins to remember her original memories and slowly pieces together her mysterious past. Former FBI Agent PAUL BALLARD (Tahmoh Penikett) determined to solve the mystery of the DOLLHOUSE and find the missing Caroline, accomplished his goal in the first season finale and was convinced (or was it coerced?) to become Echo's new handler. DOLLHOUSE revolves around Echo's blossoming self-awareness and her desire to discover her true identity. But with each new engagement, comes a new memory and increased danger inside and outside the Dollhouse. DOLLHOUSE is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. The series was created by Joss Whedon, who directed the pilot and serves as executive producer and writer. Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and David Solomon are co-executive producers, and Eliza Dushku serves as a producer.

FAMILY GUY

PRODUCTION COMPANY: 20th Century Fox Television

CREATOR: Seth MacFarlane

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Seth MacFarlane, Mark Hentemann, Steve Callaghan, David A. Goodman, Chris Sheridan, Danny Smith

VOICE CAST: Seth MacFarlane as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin and Brian Griffin, Alex Borstein as Lois Griffin, Seth Green as Chris Griffin, Mila Kunis as Meg Griffin

Since its debut in 1999, the Emmy-nominated animated series FAMILY GUY has attracted an impressively loyal following of devoted fans and has sold over 18 million combined DVD units, making it the largest-selling TV series ever. The show follows the adventures of lovable oaf PETER GRIFFIN (Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family of middle-class New Englanders. LOIS (Alex Borstein) is Peter's loving wife, a former Miss Teen Rhode Island who rules the roost but is one step away from a nervous breakdown. Then there are their kids: frumpy, 16-year-old MEG (Mila Kunis), the family's punching bag; 13-year-old CHRIS (Seth Green), a kid who doesn't understand girls, much less the evil monkey hiding in his closet; and 1-year-old STEWIE (MacFarlane), a diabolically clever baby whose heterosexuality is hanging by a thread. Rounding out the Griffin household is BRIAN (MacFarlane), the family dog, a member of Mensa with a penchant for dry martinis and dumb blondes. During the upcoming seventh season, Stewie and Brian travel through alternate universes in an homage to "Sliders," spies Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase (guest-voicing as themselves) move into Cleveland's old house and Stewie scores tickets to a Hannah Montana concert. Finally, the Griffin family will enter the "Star Wars" universe again with a parody of "The Empire Strikes Back." In addition to the regular cast, FAMILY GUY has featured guest voice appearances by a wide range of notables, including Drew Barrymore, Lauren Conrad, Robert Downey Jr., Rob Lowe, Hugh Hefner, Will Ferrell, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Kiefer Sutherland, James Woods, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the legendary rock group KISS. FAMILY GUY is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane is creator/executive producer, Mark Hentemann and Steve Callaghan are executive producers/show-runners and David A. Goodman, Chris Sheridan and Danny Smith are executive producers.

FRINGE

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Warner Bros. Television, Bad Robot Productions

CREATORS: J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Jeff Pinkner, J.H. Wyman

CONSULTING PRODUCERS: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman

CAST: Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham, Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop, John Noble as Walter Bishop, Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles, Kirk Acevedo as Charlie Francis, Blair Brown as Nina Sharp, Jasika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth

GUEST CAST: Leonard Nimoy as William Bell

Currently the No. 1 new series among Adults 18-49, FRINGE returns for a second thrilling season and will continue to explore the unexplained phenomena and terrifying occurrences linked throughout the world � known simply as "The Pattern" � in pursuit of a larger, more shocking truth. Set in Boston, FRINGE formed when Special Agent OLIVIA DUNHAM (Anna Torv) enlisted the help of institutionalized "fringe" scientist WALTER BISHOP (John Noble) and his son, PETER (Joshua Jackson), to save her partner and lover from a mind-bending death. Proving that only they could conjure anomalous answers, the unlikely trio would be called upon as unbelievable events evolved, macabre crimes occurred and non-empirical mysteries threatened humanity. Through unconventional and unorthodox methods, the FRINGE team imagined and tested the impossibilities while investigating mystifying cases involving teleportation, reanimation, genetic mutation, precognition and artificial intelligence. Agent PHILLIP BROYLES (Lance Reddick) guided the group, while by-the-book Agent CHARLIE FRANCIS (Kirk Acevedo) and Junior Agent ASTRID FARNSWORTH (Jasika Nicole) provided support and depth to the team. Underscoring the unfolding mysteries, enigmatic Massive Dynamic executive NINA SHARP (Blair Brown) proved the advancement of technology was changing the world of science, and conversely, the science of the world. Season Two moves to uncover more about the larger threat of Z.F.T., a nontraditional terrorist cell, and the intensity accelerates as Olivia, now aware that as a child she was a test subject of Walter and Massive Dynamic founder WILLIAM BELL (guest star Leonard Nimoy), pursues information about her forgotten and perplexing past. While some questions will be answered, new ones will surface. Were Olivia, Walter and Peter brought together deliberately? By whom � and for what purpose? Meanwhile, will Walter continue to hide Peter's otherworldly origins? As for The Observer � where and why will he (or they) appear again? Created by J.J. Abrams & Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, FRINGE is produced by Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Abrams, Bryan Burk, J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner serve as executive producers, while Kurtzman and Orci are consulting producers. Additionally, Pinkner and Wyman serve as the series' show-runners.

HELL'S KITCHEN

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Granada America In association with A. Smith & Co.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Arthur Smith, Kent Weed

CHEF: Gordon Ramsay

World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay is back for a sixth course of the sizzling unscripted series HELL'S KITCHEN. The show puts the chefs through a rigorous culinary boot camp as Ramsay searches for the one chef worthy of a life-changing grand prize. The competing chefs have varying degrees of culinary experience, but all are incredibly passionate about food and cooking. Each week, they slice and dice for Ramsay's attention. Demanding absolute perfection, Ramsay puts the chefs through various culinary challenges, testing them to see who will boil under the intense pressure. The competition begins when Ramsay splits the chefs into two teams that compete against each other in various dinner service challenges. These challenges test the chefs' knowledge and experience in the kitchen, as they are asked to perform tasks such as prepare a signature dish in 30 minutes, compete in blind taste tests, feed a room of hungry firemen and saut� shrimp to perfection. While the challenges are grueling, the rewards are sweet as some winning teams enjoy seafood dinners on yachts, helicopter rides and trips to gourmet restaurants. The challenge losers do not go unpunished and are left behind to perform the mundane tasks of cleaning the dining room, ironing the linens, polishing the silver or prepping that night's dinner service. As the competition heats up, Ramsay winnows down the contestants and ultimately combines the teams into one. In this phase of the competition, the "steaks" are high as the chefs compete head-to-head for Ramsay's approval. Both his sharp tongue and the contestants' inexperience are often recipes for disaster in this pressure-cooker environment. Only one thing is certain: If the chefs can't stand the heat, they'll have to get out of HELL'S KITCHEN. HELL'S KITCHEN is produced by Granada America in association with A. Smith & Co. Arthur Smith and Kent Weed serve as executive producers.

HOUSE

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions, Universal Media Studios

CREATOR: David Shore

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Katie Jacobs, David Shore, Paul Attanasio, Bryan Singer, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Thomas L. Moran

CAST: Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Lisa Cuddy, Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. James Wilson, Omar Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman, Jennifer Morrison as Dr. Allison Cameron, Jesse Spencer as Dr. Robert Chase, Olivia Wilde as Thirteen/Dr. Remy Hadley, Peter Jacobson as Dr. Chris Taub

HOUSE, an innovative take on the medical drama, solves mysteries where the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients. HOUSE, which celebrated its 100th episode milestone in February 2009, has been honored with three Emmy Awards and 17 Emmy Award nominations, including three for Outstanding Drama Series and three for Hugh Laurie; the 2006 Humanitas Prize and three Humanitas finalist honors; two Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Laurie; a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series; two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Television Series, Drama; a Peabody Award; two People's Choice Awards for Favorite TV Drama; a People's Choice Award for Hugh Laurie; the Writers Guild Award for Episodic Drama and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. In addition, the show has been honored by the American Film Institute as one of the TV Programs of the Year. DR. GREGORY HOUSE (Hugh Laurie), devoid of bedside manner and dealing with his own constant physical pain, uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor. House shepherds an elite team of experts who help him unravel diagnostic mysteries including plastic surgeon DR. CHRIS TAUB (Peter Jacobson) and enigmatic "contestant" number Thirteen, DR. REMY HADLEY (Olivia Wilde). He has a good friend and confidant in oncology specialist DR. JAMES WILSON (Robert Sean Leonard), and maintains a somewhat volatile and undefined relationship with DR. LISA CUDDY (Lisa Edelstein), the Dean of Medicine and hospital administrator. Though the two are engaged in constant conflict over House's duties and unconventional behavior, even she would admit that his brilliance is worth the trouble. Neurologist DR. ERIC FOREMAN (Omar Epps) serves as Cuddy's eyes and ears on House while former team members and newlyweds, DR. ALLISON CAMERON (Jennifer Morrison) and DR. ROBERT CHASE (Jesse Spencer) no longer have to answer to House as Cameron heads up Emergency Medicine and Chase is working in Surgery. In Season Five, after the shocking death of team member Dr. Lawrence Kutner, House's life began to spin out of control, causing him to suffer from hallucinations and to lose faith in his own mental abilities. After a challenging and brief engagement, Cameron and Chase celebrated their wedding, Thirteen and Foreman continue their romantic relationship and new mother Cuddy is unaware that House hallucinated a physical relationship with her. When the season concluded, House was finally forced to admit that he had lost his grip on reality and could no longer practice medicine. Out of options, he finally checked himself into a psychiatric hospital. HOUSE is from Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Media Studios. Katie Jacobs, David Shore, Paul Attanasio, Bryan Singer, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner and Thomas L. Moran are executive producers.

KITCHEN NIGHTMARES

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Granada America, Optomen, In association with A. Smith & Co.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Patricia Llewellyn

CHEF: Gordon Ramsay

Famed chef and Michelin Star winner Gordon Ramsay steps out of his own five-star establishments and into some of the country's most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants to help them turn their businesses around or close their doors forever. Each week, Chef Ramsay will attempt to turn one ordinary and empty restaurant into the most popular, sought-after venue in town. He reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of running a restaurant and wastes no time getting down to business � implementing signature menu items, modernizing d�cor and making the restaurant run as smoothly as possible. With his reputation on the line, Ramsay accepts nothing less than the best when it comes to the food, staff and customer service. While still prone to the explosive outbursts and spectacular confrontations familiar to fans, Ramsay reveals a sensitive and nurturing side as he coaches, cheers and challenges the restaurant staff, all the way from appetizers through dessert. Will the restaurants follow Ramsay's rules, or will they continue to stumble toward closure? The second season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is a co-production of Granada America and Optomen in association with A. Smith & Co. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Patricia Llewellyn serve as executive producers.

LIE TO ME

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Imagine Television, 20th Century Fox Television

CREATOR: Samuel Baum

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Brian Grazer, David Nevins, Samuel Baum, Shawn Ryan

CAST: Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman, Kelli Williams as Dr. Gillian Foster, Brendan Hines as Eli Loker, Monica Raymund as Ria Torres

Entering its intriguing second season, LIE TO ME is the compelling drama series inspired by the scientific discoveries of Dr. Paul Ekman, a real-life specialist who can read clues embedded in the human face, body and voice to expose the truth and lies in criminal investigations. DR. CAL LIGHTMAN (Tim Roth) is the world's leading deception expert. If you lie to Lightman, he'll know it. He'll see it in your face, in your posture or hear it in your voice. If you shrug your shoulder, rotate your hand or even just slightly raise your lower lip, Lightman will know you're lying. By analyzing facial expressions and involuntary body language, he can read feelings ranging from hidden resentment to sexual attraction to jealousy. But as Lightman well knows, his scientific ability is both a blessing and a curse in his personal life, where family and friends deceive each other as readily as criminals and strangers do. Lightman heads a team of experts at The Lightman Group who assist federal law enforcement, government agencies and local police with their most difficult cases. DR. GILLIAN FOSTER (Kelli Williams) is a gifted psychologist and Lightman's professional partner who brings balance to the partnership by looking at the bigger picture while Lightman focuses on the details. He needs her guidance and insight into human behavior, whether he knows it or not. ELI LOKER (Brendan Hines) is Lightman's lead researcher. He is so uncomfortable with the human tendency to lie that he's decided to practice what he calls "radical honesty." He says everything on his mind and often pays the price. RIA TORRES (Monica Raymund) is the newest member of the agency, and one of the few "naturals" in the field of deception detection. Her raw, untrained ability to read people makes her a force to be reckoned with. In the series' first season, The Lightman Group worked on multiple cases from determining fault in a building collapse to solving the murder of a powerful judge's teenage daughter to uncovering money hidden in a Ponzi scheme. An arson investigation reconnected Lightman and his ex-wife, Assistant U.S. Attorney ZOE LANDAU (guest star Jennifer Beals), while FBI Agent BEN REYNOLDS (guest star Mekhi Phifer) partnered with the team to track down an elusive serial rapist and to determine who was behind a rash of terrorist bombings in the Washington, DC area. Brian Grazer, David Nevins, Sam Baum and Shawn Ryan serve as executive producers on the series, which is produced by Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

THE SIMPSONS

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Gracie Films, 20th Century Fox Television

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean

VOICE CAST: Dan Castellaneta as Homer, Julie Kavner as Marge, Nancy Cartwright as Bart, Yeardley Smith as Lisa, Hank Azaria as Apu, Moe, Chief Wiggum and others, Harry Shearer as Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders and others

Now the longest-running comedy in television history, THE SIMPSONS immediately struck a chord with viewers across the country as it poked fun of itself and everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and the family members have become television icons. January 14, 2009 kicked off "Best. 20 Years. Ever.," a year-long global 20th anniversary celebration culminating on January 14, 2010, exactly 20 years to the date from the original series premiere. In May 2009, THE SIMPSONS were commemorated on 44-cent First-Class Mail stamps. Featuring images of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, the stamps were personally designed by creator and executive producer, Matt Groening. The critically praised series has been bestowed with numerous honors, including a Peabody Award, 24 Emmy Awards, 23 Annie Awards, five Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards and seven Environmental Media Awards. THE SIMPSONS holds the Guinness Book of World Records titles for Longest-Running Primetime Animated Television Series and Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series. Recognized as a pop culture icon, Homer Simpson's annoyed grunt � "D'oh!" � is an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary, and THE SIMPSONS has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With record-breaking retail sales, THE SIMPSONS reigns as one the best-selling TV DVD properties of all time. During the upcoming 21st season, HOMER (Dan Castellaneta) is cast as the lead in a new comic book feature film adaptation and hires fitness trainer LYLE MCCARTHY (guest voice Seth Rogen) to whip him into shape for the part, while BART (Nancy Cartwright) learns there is a better prankster in school and vows to take him down. In the annual "Treehouse of Horror" trilogy, the family fights to survive a zombie outbreak, Bart and LISA (Yeardley Smith) become entangled in a murder scheme and Homer's blood becomes the secret ingredient in MOE's (Hank Azaria) new beer. Guest stars paying Springfield a visit next season include Seth Rogen (who also co-wrote the episode to which he lends his voice), Jonah Hill, Neve Campbell and Anne Hathaway. Additionally, Jackie Mason returns as RABBI KRUSTOFSKY, KRUSTY THE CLOWN's (Castellaneta) father. THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

PRODUCTION COMPANIES: 19 Entertainment, Ltd., Dick Clark Productions, Inc.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe, Barry Adelman

HOST: Cat Deeley

JUDGES: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy

Celebrating its 100th episode milestone this summer, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE continues to keep viewers amazed and inspired as talented dancers compete in everything from Hip-Hop, Krumping and Popping to Salsa, Jookin' and Jive to be named America's Favorite Dancer. As revealed by host Cat Deeley, the Season Four champion, Joshua Allen, was voted America's Favorite Dancer and danced off with the cash prize of $250,000. Following the season finale, the finalists from the past season embarked on a cross-country, 40-city performance tour. For Seasons Five and Six, producers travel across the country in search of dancers who represent the rhythm of America. Those who spark the interest of judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy are invited to call-backs, where they will work with top choreographers, including Adam Shankman, Tyce Diorio, Mia Michaels, Tabitha Dumo and Napoleon Dumo, to learn and then be judged on a particular style of dance. During the call-back week, the judges choose the Top 20 dancers who will continue in the competition. In the performance round, the 20 finalists dance for America's votes, and each week the six contestants comprising the bottom three couples are given a chance to perform solo routines to encourage the judges to keep them on the show. The judges then decide which dancers stay in the competition and which male and female are eliminated. If a couple is split apart, the two individual dancers who remain become a couple the following week. Once the series is down to the Top 10 finalists, the dancers switch partners and it's solely up to America to decide who remains in the competition. Following the performance shows, viewers can vote for their favorite couples. The live results shows reveal who keeps dancing and who goes home. Choreographers Mia Michaels and Wade Robson were honored with Emmy Awards in 2007 for their work on Season Two. Robson won the Emmy for Outstanding Choreography again the following year for his work on Season Three, while Shane Sparks and Mandy Moore earned nominations in the same category. In 2008, the make-up team was nominated for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic). SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and comes from 19 Entertainment, Ltd. and Dick Clark Productions, Inc. The Emmy-nominated series is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Barry Adelman.

'TIL DEATH

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Sony Pictures Television

CREATORS: Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Don Reo, Dean Lorey, Brad Garrett, Glenn Robbins, Doug Wald

CAST: Brad Garrett as Eddie Stark, Joely Fisher as Joy Stark, Timm Sharp as Doug

'TIL DEATH 'TIL DEATH is a comedy about the triumphs and tribulations of marriage and friendship from very different perspectives. It's about the funny � and annoying � things that happen between husbands, wives, parents, children, neighbors and friends day after day after day� EDDIE (Brad Garrett) and JOY STARK (Joely Fisher) are your typical long-time married couple: Eddie is the unemotional, cynical and tell-it-like-it-is husband while Joy is the caring, loving wife who on a daily basis has to put up with all things Eddie. You could say Joy is the yin to Eddie's yang. They've been through it all together � and actually survived. Joy and Eddie are the perfect fit, and as much as they gripe about their marriage, Eddie really does love Joy, and Joy, despite it all, loves Eddie for all his shortcomings. Living in suburban Philadelphia, Eddie and Joy live somewhat idyllic lives � Eddie is a high school history teacher and Joy works in a travel agency. Their daughter, ALI, is in a long-term relationship with DOUG (Timm Sharp), whom Eddie and Joy consider unworthy of their princess. This season, Ali and Doug return from their trek in the Ecuadorian rainforest and set up camp in the Stark's backyard. Meanwhile, Eddie decides to write a book about the Hindenburg, and Joy comes to terms with the job market in the current economy. 'TIL DEATH is executive-produced by Don Reo, Dean Lorey, Brad Garrett, Glenn Robbins and Doug Wald for Sony Pictures Television. The series was created by real-life husband-and-wife team Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa.