Monday Night

"House"
Network: FOX

“House” is entering its seventh season, and as with most shows that run for that long, there is considerable reason to be concerned about the medical drama’s ability to keep things fresh and entertaining.

The sixth season proved this for a lot of people, as the rotating supporting cast, inconsistent direction and unfortunate focus on some of the less interesting facets of the series turned even the most faithful of viewers off the show.

For these people, trepidation is the right approach to take with season seven. The teasers promise to address Dr. House’s relationship with Dr. Cuddy, which is the opposite of what a lot of people who got in on the ground floor of the show like about it. “Grey’s Anatomy” may be great for what it is, but the charm of “House” has always been that it isn’t “Grey’s Anatomy.” As story arcs begin to focus more and more on relationships and less on crazy diagnoses and Dr. House’s drug addiction, viewers are going to continue to flee — or, at the very least, they will start to be of a very different demographic.

"Chuck"
Network: NBC

“Chuck” still has a little bit of that new car smell left. Entering just its fourth season, the NBC action comedy carries the momentum of a strong third season that hugely expanded its audience. The clever concept of a computer whiz who knows the world’s greatest spy secrets and uses them to thwart terrorist plots and assassination attempts has yet to wear thin, and every episode is a high-octane thrill ride rife with equal parts comedy and action.

At its peak, “House” was a better show than “Chuck,” but as time continues to drag on and the writers keep missing opportunities to tie up the series and go out at a relatively high level, the power balance continues to swing in the other direction.

“Chuck” is probably the best show on NBC that doesn’t air on Thursday nights, and while “House” still carries the name recognition necessary to pull big Nielsen ratings, it is undoubtedly nearing its creative nadir.

“Chuck,” on the other hand, still has the strength to garner critical acclaim while still commanding a large audience. It’s in what will be considered its golden era when the curtain eventually closes on the series and it’s mulled over by critics. So when you sit down on Monday evening with a pile of homework that you don’t want to start, DVR “House,” and watch “Chuck.”