Tonight Modern Family returns for its ninth season as part of a wonderful new Wednesday lineup on ABC! I just recently re-binged the entire eighth season of the series on DVD. This show still manages to make me laugh every time I watch, and I’m really excited for the new season. When we last left off, it was graduation day for Manny and Luke. While Manny was headed off to college, Luke still wasn’t sure what he was going to do with his life. Meanwhile, it looked like Haley’s relationship with the older weatherman was over after she realized she wasn’t ready for marriage, but Alex was still enjoying her secret relationship with her mother’s assistant.

So, when will this season open, and where will these characters be? I can’t wait for more crazy adventures, and to see what Phil and the rest of the extended Dunphy-Pritchett family gets up to this season. The writers of this show always come up with fun, inventive stories that have this great way of coming together in some unique way by the end of each episode.

In tonight’s premiere, “Lake Life”, Jay forces the family to take their vacation on a house boat on a lake; Mitchell runs into an old flame; Cam must avoid the sun; Phil and Claire try out some adventurous excursions; the kids’ quest for a good time goes awry.

Also premiering tonight is the second season of Designated Survivor. Kiefer Sutherland stars as Tom Kirkman, a lower-level cabinet member who was suddenly forced to take on the role of President of the United States after a terrorist attack during the State of the Union wiped out the entire government. I thoroughly enjoyed the first season—the series does a great job of mixing the political and personal drama with thrilling action, intrigue and suspense. It was also great to see that I could still enjoy Sutherland playing someone other than Jack Bauer.

Much of the first season was spent trying to figure out who was behind the attack and the conspiracy against Kirkman. It was finally revealed that private military firm CEO Patrick Lloyd was responsible, but he managed to escape in the end. Will we be seeing more of Lloyd this season, and if so, what does he plan to do with all of his stolen intelligence information? Joining the cast this season are Paulo Costanzo (Royal Pains) as White House Political Director Lyor Boone, Ben Lawson (Doubt) as MI-6 operative Damian Rennett, and Zoe McLellan (NCIS: New Orleans) as White House Counsel Kendra Daynes. It should be another exciting season.

In tonight’s premiere, “One Year In”, one year into office, President Kirkman is determined to rebuild the Capitol after the catastrophic attack and capture those responsible; a hijacked Russian plane puts Kirkman’s diplomatic skills to the test.

Tonight I’ll also be watching/recording The Goldbergs, Speechless, American Housewife, Survivor, SEAL Team, Criminal Minds, The Blacklist, Worst Cooks in America, You’re the Worst, Liar, Channel Zero: No-End House, and Mr. Mercedes.

For additional suggestions on what to check out tonight—such as SEAL Team, Criminal Minds, Chicago PD, and Broad City—check out the If We Controlled Your Remote… 9/27/17 post at TVisMyPacifier.com.