Soapy Dramas

If you love untangling the latest doctor love triangles on "Grey's Anatomy" and you gravitate towards cat fights, family feuds, and workplace wars, click through this slideshow for your must-watch list of high drama. Wednesday, August, 26, 2009, 11:26 PM

Behind the manicured lawns and well-tended flowerbeds of Wisteria Lane, secrets and scandals spring up like weeds. "Desperate Housewives" Lynette, Gabi, Bree, Susan, and Kathryn are always stirring up trouble. Last season, the show fast-forwarded five years into the future and wrapped with Edie’s death and a kiss between Mike and Susan that left viewers wondering who the lucky lady was under the wedding veil. Season six begins with Lynette's unexpected pregnancy, Bree's marriage ending, Gabi and Carlos welcoming a houseguest, and Katherine struggling over the thought of losing Mike. Wisteria Lane also welcomes new neighbors Drea de Matte ("Sopranos"), Jeffrey Nordling ("Once & Again") and Beau Mirchoff. Sundays at 9pm ET on ABCABC/Florian Schneider - Friday, September, 4, 2009, 1:4 AM

Big '80s dramas like "Dallas," "Dynasty," and "Falcon Crest" centered on the trials and tribulations of wealthy families. "Brothers and Sisters" is the big family drama of the new millennium, dealing rather realistically with modern-day family issues like gay marriage, infertility, divorce, and addiction. And instead of Joan Collins, we've got the much more likable Sally Field as supermom and matriarch Nora Walker. The star-studded cast includes Fields, Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, Patricia Wettig, and the adorable Dave Annable and Emily VanCamp, making this one of the most well-acted primetime soaps on television. Sundays at 10pm ET on ABCABC/Andrew Eccles - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

"One Tree Hill" follows the lives and loves of a group of now-adults in the sleepy town of Tree Hill. The seventh season opens up a year after Peyton and Lucas rode off into the sunset and (presumably) lived happily ever after (can the show survive without them?). Nathan’s gig with the Charlotte Hornets seems to be going well except he continues to struggle with being away from his family and friends. His agent Clayton (Robert Buckley) reminds him that being a pro basketball player has always been his dream and nothing should jeopardize his career. Back at Tree Hill, Haley (now running Red Bedroom Records) has to deal with the arrival of her free-spirited sister Quinn (Shantel VanSanten), bad girl Rachel (Danneel Harris) returns to town, Mouth gets a job offer in New York, and Brooke is still happy with Julian (but for how long?) while she searches for a new face to represent her Clothes Over Bros fashion line. Season 7 will find the gang learning that living an exceptional life doesn’t end once you’ve achieved your goals. Mondays at 8pm ET on The CWThe CW/ Andrew Eccles - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, "Trauma" is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first-responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco General is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea, or by air to reach victims in time. From the heights of the Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes face extreme conditions to save lives — while giving meaning to their own lives in the process. Mondays at 9pm ET on NBCNBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

It's been a while since a soapy teen-drama hit the airwaves and quickly gained such a die-hard following. It's no surprise that the series is a success — the show has a super-attractive cast, takes place in the glitzy world of Manhattan's Upper East Side and is full of make-out sessions and more. So who is Gossip Girl? She's a notorious blogger who keeps tabs on the city's most elite teens as they make the rounds from the hottest prep-school events to the most lavish, decadent parties. And between Jenny taking over as queen bee at Constance, Serena's search for her father with Carter, Chuck and Blair's fairy-tale (or not) relationship, Nate's last-ditch escapades before heading off to Columbia, and Dan, Vanessa, Blair, and Georgina all prepping for life at NYU, there’s a lot to keep track of! Spotted: the privileged college-bound teens of Manhattan's Upper East Side unpacking designer suitcases stuffed with shiny new secrets and hidden agendas, courtesy of yet another scandalous summer. As the third season of "Gossip Girl" unfolds, even the darkest secrets won’t stay hidden for long, now that high school is over and a new era of scandal is about to begin. Also, Hilary Duff plays a movie star trying to fit in with the "normal" kids at NYU, Joanna Garcia appears as Nate’s latest love interest, Chris Riggi returns as Lily and Rufus' love child who gets dangerously chummy with Vanessa, and Tyra Banks pops up somewhere during the season. Mondays at 9pm ET on The CWThe CW/Kurt Iswarienko - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Long before there was "Gossip Girl," "Friday Night Lights," or "One Tree Hill," there was "Beverly Hills, 90210." Back in the '90s, it was the hot show for teens (and for plenty of adults, too). Now, nearly 20 years after the series premiered, a new incarnation is upon us, dubbed simply "90210." The premise is the same: Two siblings from the Midwest are thrust into the snobby and swanky world that is West Beverly High School, and must navigate the town's all-important social scene. When we last left the swanky ZIP code at the end of season 1, the West Bev kids had turned on Annie, which sent the normally good girl on a drinking and driving spree. Her tear-stricken and drunken drive ended in a cliffhanger that showed her running over something (or someone) and fleeing the scene. Unfortunately for Annie, a mysterious person in a distinct vintage Mercedes saw it all go down. Who witnessed Annie’s season 1 hit and run? What kind of repercussions, if any, will she face in the second season? Cliffhanger aside, it’s now junior year at West Bev, new student Teddy (Trevor Donovan) quickly becomes the big man on campus, the gals and at least one of the guys are finding themselves entwined with blossoming love, and the entire gang discovers that growing up makes life that much more confusing. Tuesdays at 8pm ET on The CWThe CW - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

A reimagining of the 1983 miniseries and TV show, the latest incarnation of "V" follows a similar plot: Gigantic alien saucers hover ominously over major cities worldwide. The visitors inside look just like us, and claim to come in peace, promising to share their advanced technology with humans in exchange for natural resources they desperately need for their home planet. But despite the aliens’ best propaganda, eventually the truth comes out. Tuesdays at 8pm ET on ABCABC/Bob D'Amico - Thursday, September, 17, 2009, 4:17 PM

Like its '90s predecessor, the new "Melrose Place" follows a group of 20-somethings living in the trendy Melrose neighborhood of Los Angeles, where a web of scandal is ever-present. The landlord, Sydney Andrews, is back from the (presumed) dead — and beautiful at age 40, Sydney is a central figure in the lives of her tenants, especially the handsome and rebellious David Breck (Shaun Sipos). Another tenant, the high-powered publicist Ella Simms (Katie Cassidy), once considered Sydney her mentor, but their friendship was destroyed by betrayal. Sydney also played a pivotal role in the career of Auggie Kirkpatrick (Colin Egglesfield) after meeting him at an AA meeting. And 18-year-old Violet Foster (Ashlee Simpson-Wentz), has just arrived in L.A. with her own secret connection to Sydney. Tuesdays at 9pm ET on The CWCW/Frank Ockenfels - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

In the wake of a string of real-life political scandals, art is imitating life with this new series. It follows Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), the wife of a Chicago state attorney (Chris Noth), as she deals with her husband's public sex scandal and corruption fallout. A scorned woman, Alicia must endure public humiliation as she returns to work as a defense attorney at a big law firm (after 13 years away from the workforce). Can this former "Good Wife" transform herself from embarrassed political spouse to career- woman to create a new life for herself and her two children? [/ytvshow id=44803]Tuesdays at 10pm ET on CBS[/ytvshow] CBS/Jason Bell - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

When the reality smash "The Hills" concluded its first half of Season 5 earlier this year, Lauren was seen leaving Heidi and Spencer's wedding — and the show itself. The spotlight now turns on Kristin, one of Lauren's former "Laguna Beach" classmates, who moved to LA after high school to pursue an acting career. But don't worry, there will still be plenty of drama from "Hills" regulars Speidi, Brody, Stephanie, Lo, and Audrina. Tuesdays at 10pm on MTVMTV - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

What happens when a club of gun-toting biker outlaws tries to protect its "simple" town -- not to mention its thriving illegal arms business -- from the arrival of corporate real estate developers, drug dealers, and overzealous law enforcement officers? "Sons of Anarchy," a drama with a dash of dark humor thrown in, shows just what kind of chaos ensues … and it ain't always pretty. Charlie Hunnam stars as Jackson "Jax" Teller, a man whose dedication to the brotherhood is tested by his increasing concerns about its lawlessness. But if his mother (Katey Sagal) and stepfather (Ron Perlman) have their way, the future of the club is only about to get darker and more dangerous. With punk rocker Henry Rollins and Adam Arkin ("Chicago Hope") joining the already stellar cast for the show’s highly anticipated second season, anarchy is guaranteed to rule. Tuesdays at 10pm on FXFX/Mike Muller - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

You haven't seen the inside of a hospital until you've seen it through the eyes of those who know it best: its nurses. In the unique medical drama "Mercy," Veronica Flanagan (Taylor Schilling) is one of those nurses. She just returned to Mercy Hospital from a tour in Iraq, and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia (Jamie Lee Kirchner) and Chloe (Michelle Trachtenberg), she navigates the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love — both in the hospital and in the real world. Wednesdays at 8pm ET on NBCNBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Yeah, "Friday Nights Lights" is technically about a football team in a small Texas town, but the show's small, devoted fan base knows it's about so much more. In fact, most of the drama happens off the field. As Season 3 drew to a close, not only was the show's future up in the air, so was coach Taylor's position with the Dillon Panthers (we won't spoil it here). And, as with any high-school drama, a number of characters were contemplating their post-graduation plans. Wednesdays at 9pm on DirecTV NBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Friday, August, 14, 2009, 1:14 AM

Did the devil make them do it? Based on John Updike’s novel "The Witches of Eastwick," "Eastwick" is home to Roxanne the flaky artist, Kat the doormat wife and mom, and Joanna the uptight local reporter. A mysterious stranger's arrival in town brings these fast friends even closer and tests them in ways they'd never imagined; Daryl Van Horne is an irresistible package of wealth, charisma, and bad-boy sex appeal. If he's not buying up a local business, he's attempting to seduce one (or all) of these ladies, physically and professionally. What's even more dangerous is that he's unleashing their supernatural powers. Eastwick will be turned upside down as these witches come into their own. Wednesdays at 10pm ET on ABCABC/Kevin Foley - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

When this pungent plastic-surgery drama, "Nip/Tuck" -- that deftly keeps its humanity amid some graphic operation scenes -- returns for its highly anticipated sixth season, more delicious turmoil will undoubtedly unfold. When we last checked in with the boys of McNamara/Troy, former skirt-chaser turned breast cancer battler Christian was preparing to leave for his honeymoon with anesthesiologist Liz when his doctor called him with shocking news. Meanwhile, after repairing a woman who suffered a vampire bite from her blood-thirsty lover, Sean began to question his tumultuous relationship with Dr. Teddy Lowe while preparing himself for Christian’s potential demise. The show jumped the shark years ago, but with two short seasons left, not one of the remaining episodes can be missed! Wednesdays at 10pm on FXFX/Michael Becker - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Four months after a tragic car accident that killed their parents, 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), are trying to cope with their grief and move on with their lives. Elena has always been a beautiful, popular, and involved star student, but now she struggles to hide her sadness. "Vampire Diaries" begins when the school year starts, as Elena — and everyone else — grows fascinated by a handsome, mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). Stefan and Elena are immediately drawn to one another, but what Elena doesn't know is that Stefan is a centuries-old vampire, struggling to live peacefully among humans. Meanwhile, his brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is the embodiment of vampire brutality. Thursdays at 8 pm ET on The CWCW/Andrew Eccles - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Imagine hunting down demons and investigating paranormal events. Now imagine doing it all while traveling the country in a 1967 Chevy Impala. That's how the Winchester brothers roll in "Supernatural." We’re embarking upon the fifth (and possibly final) season and the Apocalypse is knocking on the front door. How will the boys stop the rise of Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino)? Keep an eye out for the return of Adrianne Palicki’s Jessica — Sam’s ill-fated ex — sometime during Season 5. Thursdays at 9pm ET on The CWThe CW/Brian Bowen Smith - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

This wildly popular, character-driven "Grey's Anatomy" centers on the personal and professional challenges of a team of doctors. Last season was a wild one that ended with an engaged Meredith and McDreamy, a deathly ill Izzie married to Alex, and George joining the Army. Then Izzie’s heart stops, George gets hit by a bus and the two meet in a dream or that place between life and death (what a moment!) and it fades to black. Since then we learned that George dies and Izzie recovers, but what else is in store for our favorite Seattle doctors? Thursdays at 9pm ET on ABCABC/Bob D'Amico - Friday, September, 4, 2009, 2:4 AM

"Private Practice," the spinoff of "Grey's Anatomy," has spun a truly wild ride for fans. Dr. Addison Montgomery and the rest of the staff at the sunny southern California Oceanside Wellness Center have steamy, turbulent, overly dramatic lives that rival that of her former pals at Seattle Grace. Ending the season with one of the craziest cliffhangers in primetime, "Private Practice" left fans with an image of a pregnant Violet in danger of being sliced open by a crazed patient. Thursdays at 10pm ET on ABCABC/Justin Stephens - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Welcome to "Smallville," the Kansas hometown of the young Clark Kent, one day to be known by the city of Metropolis as ... Superman! With the approach of the show's ninth season, here’s hoping the pace will pick up and we'll finally get to see the complete Clark-to-Superman progression. So what's in store now that Clark has declared himself "dead," Lois is somewhere lost in time and space, and Chloe's still reeling from the loss of both Jimmy and Davis? You’ll have to tune in and see, but look for the arrival of the Kryptonite-powered cyborg Metallo (Brian Austin Green), who immediately steals Zod's villainous spotlight. Fridays at 8pm ET on The CWThe CW/Frank Ockenfels - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

"Ugly Betty" is the fish-out-of-water dramedy about an awkward but compassionate and competent young woman who works at a fashion magazine. Funny, campy, dramatic, and colorful, this beloved series addresses the issue of true beauty versus the skin-deep variety. Last season ended with Betty beating out Marc for the Features Editor promotion, then receiving the bad news that newly-ex Matt will be her boss, Daniel losing Molly to cancer, Claire squashing Wili’s latest plot to take over Mode, and Wili making a desperate call to Connor. Fridays at 8pm ET on ABCABC/Andrew Eccles - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Based on the Oscar-winning 2005 motion picture, "Crash" is all about the chance encounters and dramatic interactions between diverse members of Los Angeles' social mosaic, as they connect and collide with mixed results. The ensemble cast features Dennis Hopper, Eric Roberts, Tom Sizemore, and D.B. Sweeney, among others. Fridays at 10pm on StarzStarz - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM