Cure the post-holiday blues with new episodes and returning shows

Alas, the holidays are over.

Sad as that might be -- and after two straight three-day weekends, it's practically tragic in my world -- there is a silver lining. Luckily our favorite shows are also back at work. Starting this week and next, many shows come back with new episodes or start new seasons. This includes ratings juggernauts like -- ugh -- "American Idol" and personal Channel Surfing favorites like "Project Runway" and "Lost."

Mo Ryan of the Chicago Tribune has a nice roundup in her column today, which is where I liberally borrowed much of this information. But here are the biggies:

Tonight: "Heroes" returns with a double episode at 7 p.m. on NBC, "The Bachelor" at 7 p.m. on ABC (Channel Surfing Note: Tune into the BCS: Fiesta Bowl instead... Go Horned Frogs!)

Jan. 5: "The Biggest Loser" at 7 p.m. on NBC, "Law and Order: SVU" at 8 p.m. on NBC, "The Good Wife" at 9 p.m. on CBS

Jan 6: New episodes of ABC's comedy lineup ("The Middle," "Modern Family," "Cougar Town") at 7 p.m., "Ugly Betty" at 9 p.m. on ABC

Jan 7: "30 Rock" at 8:30 p.m. on NBC

Jan 10: "Chuck" at 8 p.m. on NBC

Jan 11: "House" on Fox at 7 p.m.

Jan 12: "American Idol" at 7 p.m. on Fox

Jan 14: "Project Runway" at 9 p.m. on Lifetime

Jan 17: "24" at 8 p.m. on Fox

Jan 25: "Damages" at 9 p.m. on F/X

Feb. 2: "Lost" (insert girlish squeals from Tom and Adam here) at 8 p.m. on ABC

What are you most looking forward to?

--Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com