Winter TV premieres to watch

With the holidays behind us, it is time to move on to an exciting January full of winter and mid-season premiere dates for your favorite shows, as well as some early finales.

Tonight, NBC kicks things off without wasting any time - Parenthood will air its mid-season premiere at 9 p.m. on WTMJ4 in Milwaukee. (Although, it isn't much of a mid-season premiere, considering the show's season finale is January 22). Nevertheless, make sure to tune in and see the latest developments with the Braverman family drama and Kristina's battle with breast cancer.

Thursday, Jan. 3:

The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Ellen returns with a fresh batch of all new episodes - finally, she can stop teasing us with all those 12 Days of Giveaways repeats. Don't forget to watch for the secret word one final time in tomorrow's episode to enter to win all the 12 Days prizes.
What Not to Wear (TLC 10/9 p.m. central): Calling all Stacy London and Clinton Kelly fans! Everyone's favorite snarky duo is back with an all-new season of makeovers and fashion advice.

Sunday, Jan. 6:

Once Upon a Time (ABC 8/7 p.m. central)
Revenge (ABC 9/8 p.m. central)
The Biggest Loser begins its two-night premiere at 9/8 p.m. central on NBC. This season, Jillian Michaels is back, and kids under age 16 are allowed to join in the competition.
Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 will fill the canceled 666 Park Avenue's vacated time slot with new episodes Sunday nights at 10/9 p.m. central and Tuesday nights in their normal time slots.

Monday, Jan. 7:

The Bachelor 17 (ABC 8/7 p.m. central): After being rejected by Emily Maynard, Sean Lowe takes his turn as 'The Bachelor' on ABC's 17th season of the show. A returning Bachelorette is rumored to have joined the cast - will she and Sean hit it off? Will Sean find love? Look for weekly recaps and show highlights right here, beginning January 14.
The Biggest Loser (NBC 8/7 p.m. central): Part Two of the premiere airs in another two-hour episode.
Deception (NBC 10/9 p.m. central): Meagan Good, Victor Garber, and Tate Donovan star in this new drama that works to get to the bottom of Vivian Bowers' death - was it suicide or homicide? Will you watch to see if this show can survive?
Bunheads (ABC Family 9/8 p.m. central): If you loved Gilmore Girls and didn't watch this show's first half of the season, you must tune in for its second half! Bunheads carries the same fast-paced conversations and quirky humor that was once found on the beloved Gilmore Girls. If you look closely, you will be sure to spot a familiar face or two - aside from Kelly Bishop, of course. It's like a mini-reunion...minus Lorelai and Rory.

Tuesday, Jan. 8:

FOX's comedy line-up is all-new, featuring Raising Hope, Ben and Kate, New Girl, and The Mindy Project.
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family 8/7 p.m. central): With the mid-season finale reveal that Toby is on the A-Team, how long will it take for the girls to figure out he is no longer on their side? What other trouble will "A" stir up for them as the third season of the show draws to a close.

Wednesday, Jan. 9:

The People's Choice Awards, hosted again by Kaley Cuoco, will air on CBS at 8/7:00 p.m. central.

Thursday, Jan. 10:

NBC's comedy Thursday line-up, featuring 30 Rock, the new show 1600 Penn, and The Office, returns.

Sunday, Jan. 13:

The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will air on NBC at 8/7 p.m. central. After three straight years of Ricky Gervais hosting the show, NBC is taking the plunge and trying something new with Fey and Poehler.

Monday, Jan. 14:

The Carrie Diaries (The CW 8/7 p.m. central): This prequel to Sex and the City shows a young Carrie Bradshaw, experiencing New York City for the first time as a young teenager.

American Idol returns, with its three new judges, January 16 and 17 for a two-night premiere, each night with the episodes lasting two hours. Glee will be back with all-new episodes as of January 24.

Looking ahead to February, CBS' Monday night comedy line-up returns February 4, while NBC debuts Season 2 of Smash February 5 at 10/9 p.m. central, in Parenthood's vacated time slot. Survivor's highly anticipated second go at a Fans vs. Favorites season returns February 13, while The Amazing Race, The Good Wife, and The Mentalist will be back February 17.

As for January finales to keep an eye out for, Parenthood is just one of a handful:

January 18: The Fringe series finale on FOX will air two back-to-back episodes to make a two-hour event out of the show's ending.
January 22: In competition with Parenthood's season finale, ABC will air the series finale of Private Practice.
January 24: Last Resort's finale will air at 8/7 p.m. central on ABC.
January 31: After seven seasons, 30 Rock will come to a close during a one-hour episode at 8/7 p.m. central on NBC.