'How I Met Your Mother' gets more viewers than 'Heroes'

Here are the numbers on some notable shows from last night:

"How I Met Your Mother" (CBS) - 9 million viewers; up 9% from previous week.
"Chuck" (NBC) - 5.8 million; down 15% [series low].
"Heroes" (NBC) - 8.2 million; down 11% [series low].
"Prison Break" (FOX) - 5.8 million; up slightly.
"Worst Week" (CBS) - 8.9 million; up 3%.

Now I can understand the huge dips in viewership for the hard-to-follow and often convoluted storylines that plague "Heroes," but what's up with the steady declines of "Chuck"? I'm a bit confused myself.

Back from a mini-break on Wednesday night

I apologize for slacking a little for the past few days. I've been pretty busy writing my column for the newspaper and working on little television blurbs here and there, but I promise I'll be back and in full force tomorrow night in time for the "Pushing Daisies" premiere!

I also have some "Grey's Anatomy" goodies that'll take me lifetime and a half to upload, but I promise all you diehard "Grey's" fans, that you won't be sorry. Also, the sneak peek of "Dirty Sexy Money" will be up (hopefully) before the premiere tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Just so you guys will believe that I have been keeping tabs on some shows that just premiered and ones I've been watching, here are some of my quick takes:

- Sunday's "Brothers & Sisters" third season premiere started off the same, but who doesn't like watching sparring siblings try to keep secrets hidden, fighting over the family business and mucking their relationships up? My favorite TV couple, Scotty and Kevin, almost surpasses the adorableness of Jim and Pam from "The Office" with their quick-witted banter. (I did say almost right?) [First Impression: 7/10]

- Is it just me or is "Chuck" just getting better and better as the episodes (and seasons) continue? Monday's premiere was full of what we all love - Chuck getting into a mound of crap, Chuck and Sarah moving two millimeters closer to being more than just co-workers, Chuck and Morgan planning out an elaborate Call of Duty battle plan and Chuck saving the day ... as Charles Carmichael, which actually worked. Take note my amateur spy friends, take note. [First Impression: 8/10]

- I had to watch Monday's "Gossip Girl" episode because of "How I Met Your Mother" (sorry "GG" fans!), but I did manage to watch most of it this afternoon. In my mind, "Gossip Girl" can do no wrong and it proved that with this Fashion Week-centric ep. It was entertaining, funny and complete with quotable one-liners. Who doesn't love that? But, where was Nate and Vanessa? [First Impression: 7.5/10]

- Tonight's episode of "Privileged" ("Fringe" will be viewed tomorrow afternoon) was so damn adorable, I don't even know what to do with myself. The characters are perfectly cast and the dialogue is neither stupid nor overwhelming to the viewer. Though previous episodes certainly paved the way for a possible love triangle between Megan, her best friend Charlie (so adorable) and hot, wealthy neighbor Will, this only cemented that fact - only now, it's more of a ... love rhombus? [First Impression: 8.5/10]

- I missed the first 20 minutes of "House" because I was at dinner at Philippe's with my roommate but I can already tell this episode is filled with sarcastic zings from the limping doc himself and comparable comebacks from his private investigator slash new best friend. [First Impression: 9/10]

On a lighter note, "How I Met Your Mother" was great. Who knew Reeg could act so well? (Kidding, sort of.)

Ciphers, second first dates and a mission to terminate 'Chuck' entertain in premiere

I just finished watching the second season premiere of "Chuck" and since this isn't an official review of it, I am going to leave it short and sweet.

Basically, the gang picks up literally right when its first season ended. Its action-packed first hour balances the nerdy humor (the Nerd Herders at the Buy More), CIA/NSA ass-kicking and a sweet, sentimental moments between Chuck and Sarah at a Morgan-approved Chinese restaurant. There are so many fantastic moments within the first five minutes that it would be an impossible task to list every funny or awesome thing that happened, but here are some of the highlights:

- Casey, an NSA agent partnered with CIA agent Sarah and Chuck, drives his car straight into a Chinese restaurant where Chuck and Sarah have their second first date only to be surrounded by a bunch of hoodlums and says the best line of the episode, "Did anyone order drive-thru?"

- Ryan McPartlin, the Nerd Herders and Big Mike at the Buy More are all included in the opening credits!

- Captain Awesome working out in the hallway. Hot.

Perhaps the funniest exchange is between Zachary Levi (Chuck) and guest star Michael Clark Duncan (Colt) -
Chuck: What exactly are you doing?
Colt (stretching): Stretching, getting limber.
Chuck: Why are you doing that?
Colt: So I won't pull a muscle when I break your neck. Maybe you should get limber too.

- Casey catches Chuck - by the leg, no less - when he is thrown off the side of a building. Quite touching really.

- Chuck saves the day ... or wait, is it Charles Carmichael?

'Chuck', 'Lipstick Jungle' premieres available on NBC.com

Even though NBC's "Chuck" doesn't premiere until next Tuesday, the network has graciously provided its nerd-lovin' season two starter for the impatient and the anxious to view!

"Chuck" was one of last season's breakout hits, and with good reason. The cast is cohesive and funny, the dialogue is smartly written and the action sequences are fantastically shot. So please, if you haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon yet, now is not too late. Take a shot at the pilot and see if you enjoy it as much as I have.

Also available for streaming before their official premiere dates on NBC.com are "Knight Rider" (premieres Sept. 24), "Lipstick Jungle" (premieres Sept. 24). I've seen the season two premiere of "Lipstick Jungle" and it is definitely enjoyable. Mary Tyler Moore starts her multi-episode arc as Brooke Shields' characters mother. Heard from a friend that "Knight Rider" is a complete and utter JOKE. Don't even waste your precious time with it.

New (and old) castings, guest stars ramp up several TV shows

Let's do a rundown of some of the noteworthy casting news that have been making the rounds lately:

- "Chuck" has cast Captain Awesome's parents. Morgan Fairchild will play Devin's mother and Bruce Boxleitner will play his father. Let me just say, the Awesomes are a good-looking brood.

- While we're on the topic of "Chuck," here is a list of notable guest stars who will be appearing all season long: Melinda Clarke, Tony Hale, Nicole Richie, Jordana Brewster, Michael Clarke Duncan and John Larroquette.

- According to E!'s Kristin Dos Santos, Serena van der Woodsen will have a new love interest this season on "Gossip Girl" and an integral character in the books, Aaron Rose, played by John Patrick Amedori ("Stick It"). Yay or nay?

- Also in "Gossip" news, word has it that Willa Holland ("The O.C.") will play a young model who meets Jenny Humphrey during her internship at Eleanor Waldorf Designs. Apparently she's not that innocent.

- Jennifer Aniston is set to guest star on "30 Rock." Super stoked on this one. Oh, and Oprah is in talks to make an appearance as well.

- Sarah Drew, a favorite on "Everwood," will be joining the cast of "Private Practice" for a multi-episode run. She will be spending lots and lots of time with Dell, the young midwife at the private hospital.