Doctor "Who": ABC Loves, Loves, Loves Samantha

ABC continues its trend this season, granting another full season pickup to a freshman series.

Samantha Who, which stars Christina Applegate as an amnesiac who discovers that she was a terrible human being after an accident (which may not have been much of an accident), has received a back nine order by ABC, bring the total installments this season to twenty-two (well, potentially, should there be no prolonged strike).

Series, which to date has averaged a 4.5/11 among the key A18-49 demo, also stars Melissa McCarthy, Barry Watson, Jennifer Esposito, Kevin Dunn, Tim Russ, and Jean Smart.

I enjoyed the pilot for Samantha Who when I saw it in May but haven't yet caught any of the subsequent episodes (they're on my TiVo). To me, it's an intriguing premise and Applegate is a compelling (if at times too broadly drawn) lead, but I worry that the series' simple conceit could wear thin after a while, like My Name is Earl.

Meanwhile, it's not looking good for Cavemen (there is justice after all). Series is one of the few not to receive additional episodic or script orders by ABC, while the fate of fellow freshman comedy Carpoolers, which DID receive an additional script order, is also still up in the air.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Kid Nation (CBS); Phenomenon (NBC; 8-10 pm); America's Next Top Model (CW); Pushing Daisies (ABC); Back to You/'Til Death (FOX)

9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Gossip Girl (CW); Private Practice (ABC); Kitchen Nightmares

10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Life (NBC); Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Pushing Daisies.

ABC's groundbreaking new drama Pushing Daisies continues. On a Halloween-themed episode ("Girth"), Ned, Chuck, and Emerson are hired by Olive to investigate a series of possible murders involving jockeys being trampled to death by the ghost of a long-dead rider and his horse when all signs point to the ex-jockey Olive Snook being the next victim. (Didn't know she was a jockey? Cheno told me herself here.) Meanwhile, Ned must face his own fears of Halloween when faced with some uncomfortable childhood memories.

8 pm: America's Next Top Model.

On tonight's episode ("The Girl Who Runs Into the Glass Door"), it's yet another CW recap episode this week. (Yes, I get that November sweeps are right around the corner, but come on, people.) Tyra discusses body image with the girls while Bianca has some nasty confrontations with Chantal and Ebony. Did I say how happy I am that Ebony's gone? No? There, I just did.

10 pm: Dirty Sexy Money.

Primetime soap Dirty Sexy Money continues. On tonight's episode ("The Game"), Tripp and Simon Elder face off in a high-stakes poker game, Karen discovers she's still married to her last husband (guest star Eddie Cibrian), Jeremy beings his job as a parking attendant, a blackmailer targets Patrick, and Juliet introduces Brian Jr. to the notion of materialism.