Elementary

Thursdays 10 p.m. on CBS

Let's not make the same mistake some of us made with "Prime Suspect." You know, when we (and when I say 'we' I don't include Happiness) hated that NBC show starring Maria Bello mostly because it wasn't the "Prime Suspect" with Helen Mirren.

"Elementary" isn't like the British import "Sherlock." And although the main character's name is Sherlock Holmes and his partner is a woman with the surname Watson, it really isn't very true to the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters.

It's another take on the procedural -- crime solving and crime solvers. And it's enjoyable and appealing in its own way.

Brit Jonny Lee Miller plays Holmes, fresh out of rehab, still jittery, fragile, and socially impaired, and exiled to New York from London.

Prime Suspect
Thursdays, 10 p.m. on NBC

This is a strong remake of the classic PBS Masterpiece Mystery series starring Maria Bello as a feisty female detective who solves cases while fighting for respect from her fellow cops.

Of course, the original "Prime Suspect" series, which starred Helen Mirren, is considered one of finest television series of all time, so there has been some legitimate worry about attempting a reboot. But one could also argue that TNT's hit "The Closer" is also a twist on the "Prime Suspect" premise (though often a much lighter twist), and that worked very well.

In short, if you've never seen the Mirren version, or even if you have and you're willing to put your TV snobbery aside, you'll enjoy this. Bello is very good as Det. Jane Timoney, the only female detective in a squad full of men who do not like her (at all) because they think she only has her job because of a long ago affair with a superior. Jane is abrasive, but dedicated. And she's very good at her job, so we know she'll eventually win over the sexist jerks.

For fans of "The Shield," let me say this: Lem!! That's right, Kenny Johnson plays Bello's boyfriend. Bonus: Aidan Quinn stars as her captain. It's a good, solid cop show. I love it. It's on opposite "The Mentalist" and "Private Practice" and it's better than both of those.

(Also, a lot of critics have had hissy fits over the fact that Jane wears a goofy hat in the show. Whatever. If a hat is going to keep you from watching a good show, I just don't know what to say to you.)