This week saw the premiere of Studio 60 and Jericho, among others.  Here are just a few random thoughts on the series premieres of these shows.

• Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

This drama from the creator of West Wing hit hard, with a great opening performance by vet Judd Hirsch.  I’m sure that several of his comments had many an exec in the offices of NBC bristling, or at least shifting uncomfortably.  The writing and performances were all top-notch, especially Amanda Peet.

If there’s one thing that I would say negatively, it’s that it took far too long to get around to Perry and Whitford.  It looks like next week, they will take a more leading role.  It seemed to drag at times, too, but that’s necessary premiere exposition, and I understand that.

•  Jericho

Last year, we had a whopping three blatant Lost wannabes…Invasion, Surface, and Threshold.  The fact that they are not found in any lineup this season speaks to their staying power.  This season, though, we have Jericho.  What could have been an overly simple plot turned out to be a quite gripping journey.  Parts seemed contrived (come on, the hero saves a bus of school children?), but the coming weeks look to pick it up a notch, as we learn exactly what cities were hit and how widespread the damage is.

Tonight’s going to be a great night for TV, with the returns of Grey’s Anatomy, My Name Is Earl, The Office, and ER.  My Tivo’s already whining in protest.