New season dances in

This first weeknight of the Fall TV Season has a decent cross-section of reality, action-adventure and comedy.

STARS DANCING Of all the reality TV shows, this is one of the most fascinating in the way that it plays off notions we have of celebrity, gender, race and romance. Along with American Idol, I think Dancing with the Stars is one of the most intelligent shows on TV in the way that it speaks to who we are as a nation. The casting is key: Who won't tune in to see the likes of actress Susan Lucci and NFL football star Warren Sapp? (8 p.m., ABC) ***

FINALLY, SOME HEROES After being away far too long, NBC's Heroes returns. Once you're into the mythology, it's a delight. (9 p.m., NBC) ***

A NEW SO-SO SITCOM Worst Week has been getting favorable buzz, but I thought the pilot was derivative of the feature film Meet the Folks. Kyle Bornheimer grows on you as the hapless guy who tries to do right by his fiancee. But it's too much straight rip-off. (9:31 p.m., CBS) **

LATE-NIGHT GUESTS Former President Bill Clinton visits The Late Show With David Letterman (11:35 p.m., CBS). Actress Charlize Theron appears on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (11:35 p.m., NBC).

online For more TV news , reviews and commentary , go to David Zurawik's blog at baltimoresun.com/zontv