What's On: Private Practice's Public Option

Maybe it's the generous Grey's Anatomy lead-in or just that Mer-Der fans can't in good conscience turn their backs on Addison after she lost her man and foolishly forfeited her billing at Seattle Grace, but somehow Private Practice's modest fan base has carried the spin-off into its third season, beginning tonight. With Katherine Heigl and Ellen Pompeo taking time off this Grey's go-round though, maybe this fall would be a perfect opportunity to reward loyal fans with another Grey's-Private crossover.

Private Practice [10 PM, ABC]

In tonight's premiere, following an all new Grey's, Addison (Kate Walsh) and Naomi (Audra McDonald) work to save Violet (Amy Brenneman) in the ER, even though Violet's baby is still missing. Meanwhile, we get to see Pete (Tim Daly) and Violet's first meeting, after the death of his wife, courtesy of flashbacks.

Supernatural [9 PM, CW]

The CW thriller series cashes in on the zombie craze tonight when Dean (Jensen Ackles) travels five years into the future only to deal with a pack of the resurrected. After some investigation, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean learn that the zombies were afflicted with a demonic virus that Satan used in an attempt to destroy mankind.

Jay Leno Show [10 PM, NBC]

Guest: Chris Rock. Here's an experiment, can an actually funny guest make tonight's Leno show any better? Probably not, but Rock will break up Leno's tele-interviews, softball jokes and Headlines with anecdotes about his Good Hair documentary that that might make us almost laugh. For added entertainment, see how many corporate gags and sly Snapple references you can count.

Hounddog [9 PM, Showtime]

Even though Dakota Fanning's risky role as a young, gyrating Southern girl who would trade almost anything for a chance to see her idol, Elvis, didn't pay off with any Oscar noms, she can find solace in her impressively complex performance. The film, written and directed by Deborah Kampmeier, was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. David Morse and Robin Wright Penn co-star.