Critic's corner

9 p.m., Channel 4
The ninth season opens with the team going after those responsible for Warrick's death, and learning one of Warrick's big secrets. Jorja Fox (above) returns temporarily as Sara, and William Petersen begins his last 10 episodes as a regular. That's right, Gil is leaving, and Laurence Fishburne will be joining the cast in episode 9.

8 p.m., National Geographic
How beer is made. First thought: "Brain" and "Floor" in the same title?

9:10 p.m., Sundance Channel
Dave Chappelle and Maya Angelou. First thought: Abbott and Costello.

10:30 p.m. FX
They test drugs for Testico. First thought: Family paper.

9:30 p.m., Channel 7
It seems like a biggish deal, that "SNL" is going to run weeknight installments of its news segment between now and the election. But "The Daily Show" has been doing this for years, although not live. Still, I'll be tuning in, not to see whether Tina Fey does her Palin impression yet again, but to enjoy the chemistry that has developed between anchors Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers (left). By the way, NBC: Could you have come up with a worse title than "Weekend Update Thursday"?

8 p.m., Channel 5
Mark Consuelos guests. First thought: The Semi-Talented Mr. Ripa.

8 p.m., Channel 44
New episode. First thought: Let's hope Hugh Laurie doesn't overstay his welcome.

Comcast, HBO On Demand
Robert Redford directs his latest excursion into a realm where a man heals his damaged soul. In this case, it's a shellshocked golfer in 1931, played by Matt Damon, aided by the supernatural caddy of the title, Will Smith. The latter makes the mysticism warmly personable in this luxuriant, painterly fable. (PG-13; runs through Oct. 12)