CBS, CW, Fox, ABC, NBC Add 17 New Shows Tonight: The 3 to Watch

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW tonight (January 26, 2026) will add 17 shows to their lineups. Here are the three to watch, in my humble opinion. (All Times Eastern.)

Memory Of a Killer (New episode, number 2)
Where to Watch: Fox
What Kind of Show: Drama
Who’s In It: Patrick Dempsey, Michael Imperioli
Patrick Dempsey, perhaps best known as the ‘sexiest man alive’ from his turn in the soapy Grey’s Anatomy, gets a chance to show his serious acting chops here as a hitman in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher in The Sopranos, supports as the hitman’s employer and longtime friend. The show’s premiere episode aired last night; tonight in episode two: Angelo (Dempsey, pictured above) must protect his pregnant daughter (Odeya Rush) from the bad guys while pursuing another victim. He’s a multi-tasking murderer!

American Idol (Season 9 Premiere)
Where to Watch: ABC
What Kind of Show: Reality/Competition
Who’s In It: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest is back as host with the returning judges (noted above) ready to impart wisdom, and vicious verdicts, to the singing hopefuls. This season will feature an Hawaiian theme, which might be cold comfort to the millions shuttered in by the weekend’s snow storm.

Brilliant Minds (New episode)
Where to Watch: NBC
When to Watch: 10 p.m.
Who’s In It: Zachary Quinto
The medical drama, which stars Zachary Quinto as a brilliant but mentally-challenged doctor, tonight will feature Dr. Wolf (Quinto) becoming acquainted with sorority life after a college student comes in with a mysterious illness. Maybe the doc is not as mentally challenged as we thought.

Shows Coming Tonight to ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW

CBS
The Neighborhood – 8 p.m.
DMV – 8:30 p.m.
FBI – 9 p.m.
NCIS: Origins – 10 p.m.
Late Show With Stephen Colbert (Guests: Charli XCX, Josh Shapiro) – New Episode

ABC
American Idol (Season Premiere) – 8 p.m.
The Rookie (New Episode) – 10 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live (Guests: Margo Robbie) – 11:35 p.m. (New episode)

Fox
Extracted (New episode) – 8 p.m.
Memory of a Killer (New episode) – 9 p.m.

NBC
St. Denis Medical (New episode) – 8 p.m.
Stumble – 8:30 p.m.
The Wall (New episode) – 9 p.m.
Brilliant Minds (New episode) – 10 p.m.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (Guests: Pete Davidson, Paris Hilton) – 11:35 p.m.

The CW
Wild Cards (New episode) – 8 p.m.
Sullivan’s Crossing – 9 p.m.

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