Networks have high hopes for returning hits

By HAL BOEDEKER

ABC returns this fall with ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Ugly Betty.’

The new television season officially starts Monday. The networks hope old favorites still have their oomph or can win back viewers. Here’s a look at four major returning series.

“Dancing With the Stars”

Season start: 8 to 10 p.m. Monday, 9 to 10 p.m. Tuesday and 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.

Why it’s important: It’s ABC’s highest-rated series.

Top players: Thirteen new celebrities share their dance abilities. Marquee names include Susan Lucci, Cloris Leachman, Warren Sapp, Lance Bass and Toni Braxton.

Change of note: Maksim Chmerkovskiy returns to dance with Olympian Misty May-Treanor.

Major mysteries: Can Lucci and Leachman keep pace with the others? Does Sapp have the moves and the charm? Does Ted McGinley’s participation mean the show has jumped the shark?

“Heroes”

Season start: 8 to 11 p.m. Monday on NBC. The two-hour opener follows a one-hour retrospective.

Why it’s important: The drama bolstered NBC two years ago, but logged a disappointing second season.

Top players: In an hour screened for critics, Sylar (Zachary Quinto), Claire (Hayden Panettiere) and Hiro (Masi Oka) were standouts.

Change of note: Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) makes a fateful choice.

Major mysteries: Why has Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) changed? Will Quinto emerge as a bigger star? Can Heroes be a phenomenon again after being off the air nine months?

“Grey’s Anatomy”

Season start: 9 to 11 p.m. Thursday on ABC.

Why it’s important: The medical drama put ABC on the map on Thursdays.

Top players: Will Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) find happiness? Izzie (Katherine Heigl) will have a prominent story.

Change of note: Kevin McKidd comes aboard as military doctor who charms Cristina (Sandra Oh). The hospital loses its status as a top teaching hospital.

Major mysteries: What happens to Izzie after Heigl dissed the writing last season for her character? How long will Heigl stick around? Can “Grey’s” get a jump on “CSI”? (The CBS drama returns Oct. 9.)

“Ugly Betty”

Season start: 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC.

Top players: Betty Suarez (America Ferrera) and Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius) make major decisions in the premiere.

Change of note: The show has shifted production to New York.

Major mysteries: Will Betty and Gio (Freddy Rodriguez) grow closer? Will Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) connive with ease? Can the show bounce back from an uneven sophomore season?