Three weeks into a new season, I have made my judgment: "American Idol" without Paula Abdul is sadder, weaker, less interesting and absolutely, positively less fun.

REASON TO WATCH: Brand new episodes of a fine cop show, and — special bonus — Amaury Nolasco (Sucre of "Prison Break") joins the cast.

Will Jay stay or go? Nothing is forever, and certainly not program ideas that just six months ago were proclaimed "the future of TV. Seriously." (Time, Sept. 3.)

What it’s about: Sorta like the Sasquatch, there have been mysterious sightings of a very famous and physically imposing actor dressed as a cop in Jefferson Parish — the suburbs around New Orleans — over the last couple decades. He is a cop. "For the past 20 years, I've been a cop. ... My name is Steven Seagal. That's right, Steven Seagal."

Who should replace Oprah Winfrey? You've seen these lists until your eyeballs have fallen out of your heads. Well, put them back in. We have a brand-new list for you. Not the usual names here — Ellen DeGeneres, Judge Judy, whomever — but the unusual names.

Reason To Watch: The Observers take center screen.

Reason to watch: Animated Christmas special starring the characters you know so well.