[ot-caption title=”ABC’s hit show “Scandal” returns this fall. (via ABC)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/scandal-abc.jpg”]

The start of the school year means the return of many television shows is right around the corner. In the next few weeks, many will come back from their summer hiatus answering unfinished conflicts and revealing new characters. Since most of students are too preoccupied with hectic lives, DVRs will come in handy for the slew of shows starting this upcoming week; here’s a day-to-day schedule of the must-watch programs.

Monday:

“The Big Bang Theory” returned to CBS on September 22, 2014. The highest-rated comedy began its eighth season and guarantees to bring in some laughs. In the season premiere, viewers finally found out where Sheldon mysteriously went in last year’s season’s finale.

Everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure, “Dancing With The Stars”, returned for its monumental 19th season on Monday, September 15, 2014 on ABC. This season’s all-star cast includes fashion designer Betsey Johnson, Janel Parrish from “Pretty Little Liars”, YouTube personality Bethany Mota, along with many others. Julianne Hough joins the panel of judges this season which spurred the controversy of her fairness towards dancer and brother Derek Hough.

“The Voice” returned to NBC on September 22, 2014 with the addition of two new judges to the show. Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams fill the positions of former judges Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green, receiving their own spinning chairs among Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

Tuesday:

Season 12 of “NCIS” returns to CBS on September 23, 2014. The classic show comes back with all new cases and mysteries. The first episode brings the team to Russia, while some new love interests for the cast are on the horizon.

Fox’s newest reality program “Utopia” follows 16 strangers as they are placed in the middle of a big ranch where they create the rules and laws–the goal being to create their own utopia. Airing on both Tuesday and Friday nights, viewers can also log on to the show’s website to watch 24/7 live feeds of the compound.

Wednesday:

Ryan Murphy’s fourth installment of the creepy thriller “American Horror Story: Freak Show” will premiere on FX on October 8, 2014. Set in Jupiter, Florida in the 1950s, a band of misfits come to town to entertain the city, but when a retired murderous clown, Twisty, gets involved, things take a turn for the worse.

“Survivor” returns to CBS for their 29th season on September 24, 2014. Jeff Probst brings back the Blood vs. Water theme, in which two loved ones face off against each other in competitions. True fans of the show will recognize the return of certain place that certainly causes much drama for the players: Exile Island.

Thursday:

Where in the world is Oliva Pope? When “Scandal” returns on September 25, 2014, many questions will finally be answered. After an explosive season finale last May, Pope & Associates has a lot of mending to do in order to move forward.

If you are in the mood for a feel-good romantic comedy, try “A to Z”, premiering on NBC on October 2, 2014. It follows a couple’s relationship from meeting each other to their break-up. The new series stars Cristin Milioti from “How I Met Your Mother” and Ben Feldman of “Drop Dead Diva” fame.

Friday:

Television’s biggest scavenger hunt around the world has moved nights. “The Amazing Race” will now air Friday nights on CBS starting September 26, 2014. Season 25 will start in the middle of Central Park and will have contestants travel everywhere from Singapore to Malta.

The Weekend:

“Saturday Night Live” kicks off its 40^th season with Host Chris Pratt and Ariana Grande as the musical guest. Tune in September 27, 2014 on NBC at 11:30 live.

“The Good Wife” returned to CBS Sunday September 21, 2014. Will Alicia run for State Attorney? What will happen to Peter’s mayoral office after that video was leaked? Will Diane join Alicia’s firm? So many questions will be answered after last year’s stellar season.

Elsa is making her way to Storybrooke in this season of “Once Upon a Time”, which comes back on September 28, 2014.  After the success of Frozen, Disney has invited some of the characters to the popular show on ABC.  Viewers may see a return of a more evil Regina now that we know that Robin Hood’s wife is alive.

Even though most of students will be swamped with assignments and studying, make sure to carve out some time to tune into these shows that never fail to disappoint. At least there is some time off from school this week to get ahead with work, projects, and…television, obviously.

Sources: ABC, CBS, Fox, FX, NBC