<strong>Parenthood</strong>

On NBC, Tuesdays, at 10 p.m.

<em>Parenthood</em> is a very charming show centered, obviously, on the concept of family. Like <em>Modern Family</em>, it shows a varied "types' of families that are all related by one patriarch. Unlike <em>Modern Family</em>, it isn't a 30-minute sitcom, but instead an hour-long dramedy. After a somewhat disparate first season, it got off to a great start last week, as the cast finally seems more cohesive and familial. With such a great cast (Lauren Graham, Craig T. Nelson, Mae Whitman, et al.) and team of writers, (from Friday Night Lights, My So-Called Life, exec. producer Ron Howard) it's kind of impossible for this show to be bad.

<strong>Survivor: Nicaragua</strong>

On CBS, Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

"Tis the 21st season of CBS' decade-long hit reality show and this time, they've landed in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. However, they've shaken things up a bit (surprise twist!) by segregating the cast *ahem* competitors into teams of those aged 30 and under and those 40 and over. Expect the usual competitions, drama, and creative usage of those nifty printed bandannas.

<strong>The Apprentice </strong>

On NBC, Thursdays, at 10 p.m.

The Donald is back with the 10th season of the business-oriented reality show. After three seasons of celebrity contestants, Trump has decided to return the show to its original real-people-with-actual-business-backgrounds set of competitors, as "talented people are still looking for work" due to the unfortunate ramifications of the economic recession. The teams are separated &amp;- wait for it &amp;- by gender, yet again, (oh, Donald) naming themselves "Fortitude" and "Next" (a cookie if you can guess which is which). Tune in . . .if you like <em>The Apprentice</em>.