"How I Met Your Mother" (7:30 p.m.) and "Out of Practice" (8:30 p.m.), CBS. There's no reason to dismiss the traditional situation comedy, the sort with punch lines and a studio audience. When done well, they're great fun. Both of these are. The first has bored teenagers hearing the long story of how their parents met. It's standard, singles-bar stuff but done beautifully. Josh Radnor is bland in the lead, but Cobie Smulders is great as the woman he covets. There's great support from a ditzy Alyson Hannigan and a sleazy Neil Patrick Harris. "Out of Practice" has a therapist (Christopher Gorham) feeling like a loser because his parents, brother and sister are all doctors. This is from the "Frasier" people with intelligent humor. Paula Marshall, Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing are great in support.

"Just Legal" debut, 8 p.m., WB. A 19-year-old (Jay Baruchel) has finished law school, but he can't get a job. He ends up working with a broken-down, beachfront lawyer (Don Johnson). There's lots of humor here, amid a serious story.

OF NOTE

"Surface" series debut, 7 p.m., NBC. A beautiful marine biologist (Lake Bell) is convinced there's something creepy in the ocean. Her son agrees, but the rest of the world shrugs — for now. "Surface" aims for a sort of broad, surface appeal (no pun intended). It lacks the compelling grip of this year's best fantasy shows.

"Arrested Development" season opener, 7 p.m., Fox. Michael is rather startled to learn that it isn't really his dad in prison, after all. That starts an episode that has some great moments but lacks the consistency of the CBS comedies.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. Last season ended with the Texas Ranger captain (Arliss Howard) being shot. As he lingers near death, Allison is desperate to stop the serial killer.