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.

Charlie's Angels (8pm, ABC) - A remake of the 1970s hit show starring Minka Kelly, Annie Ilonzeh, and Rachael Taylor. I'm not a fan. You're better served watching "Community." Or "Big Bang Theory." Or "The X-Factor." Or anything else.

Community (8pm, NBC) - In the Season 3 premiere, the study group wonder if Pierce will join them as they gather at the start of a new semester. Also, Jeff clashes with his biology teacher (Michael K. Williams, "The Wire," "Boardwalk Empire") and is kicked out of class, and Dean Pelton has a new nemesis at Greendale -- John Goodman.

Big Bang Theory (8pm, CBS) - Two new back-to-back episodes open the fifth season. First, Penny hits a low point when she realizes what she's done by sleeping with Raj, and Sheldon becomes leader of the paintball team. Later, Penny and Sheldon clash and Amy is caught in the middle.

Parks and Recreation (8:30pm, NBC) - Leslie is faced with the difficult decision when she decides to run for office in the Season 4 opener. Meanwhile, Ron prepares for the return of his first wife (Patricia Clarkson).

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - A new drama following a presumed-dead CIA agent (Jim Caviezel) and a billionaire software genius (Michael Emerson) who try to stop crimes before they happen. Adrienne likes it. Read more.

The Office (9pm, NBC) - In the Season 8 premiere, the staffers discover their names on a mysterious list authored by new Sabre CEO, played by James Spader (right). Paranoia sweeps through the office as everyone speculates about what the list means.

Grey's Anatomy (9pm, ABC) - Meredith is fired in tonight's two-hour Season 8 premiere. I have nothing against "Grey's," but there's better stuff on.

Whitney (9:30pm, NBC) - A new sitcom about about unmarried couple Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex (Chris D'Elia). Is it funny? Adrienne says ...

Prime Suspect (10pm, NBC) - A new series about a NYC homicide detective (Maria Bello) coping with sexism and harassment from colleauges while working murder cases. Also stars Aidan Quinn. It's a remake of Helen Mirren's classic PBS series, but it's quite good. I think you should watch.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - In the fourth season opener, Jane is in prison and must prove that the man he killed was Red John. Lisbon wants Van Pelt to get counseling for having to shoot her fiance when it was discovered he was Red John's inside man. So that Red John thing is over, right?

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.)