TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Desperate Housewives" season opener, 8 p.m., ABC. The show leaps ahead five years, promising smaller, more basic stories. Don't worry too much about the "smaller" part. There's a huge event at the beginning of this hour and a huge surprise at the end. There's also, as usual, a new neighbor with a dark secret; he's played with icy precision by Neal McDonough.

And the smaller stories? The two parenting ones are so-so, but Bree's battles and Susan's hidden romance are great fun.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Mad Men," 7 p.m., AMC. With its best-drama Emmy, this show is likely to draw some new viewers. What they'll find is a fairly somber episode. Betty Draper has temporarily evicted her cheating husband Don, leaving both miserable. There's also a quietly moving story centering on Freddy (Joel Murray, Bill's brother), good-natured and heavy-drinking.

OF NOTE

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," 6-8 p.m., ABC. The season opens in Maryland, where a single mom is trying to raise her four kids plus 10 nieces and nephews.

"The Simpsons," 8 p.m., Fox. Marge works at an erotic bakery and Homer is a bounty hunter. That launches the season for the animation block. It's followed by fresh episodes of "King of the Hill," "Family Guy" and "American Dad."

"Amazing Race," 7 p.m., CBS. Fresh from its sixth straight Emmy, this show has another interesting batch of competitors. They range from super-buff siblings to married beekeepers who seem older than their 61 and 63 years. Also there (with his estranged wife) is Ken Greene, a former pro-football defensive back who intercepted seven passes for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981.

"Cold Case," 8 p.m., CBS. The team reopens the 1973 murder of a football star.

"The Unit," 9 p.m., CBS. The season starts with a fierce mini-story introducing its new co-star, played strongly by Nicole Steinwedell. Things don't slow down after that; an assassination plot has bullets flying and families in jeopardy.

"Brothers & Sisters," 10:01 p.m., ABC. Important things (secrets, glass artwork) shatter during a noisy family weekend. It's all rather hyper, but sandwiched by some good moments involving Sarah and Kitty.

ALSO: Pay-cable has the season openers of "Dexter" and "Californication" (6 and 7 p.m. on Showtime) and the debut of an erratic and occasionally hilarious "Little Britain USA," at 7:30 p.m. on HBO.