TV Daily

Prime Pick

Photo: PBS

Even though you probably know several people whose lives were cut short by a heart problem, it's hard not to take the beating of your own heart for granted. Three-part PBS series "The Mysterious Human Heart" (9 p.m. EDT, check listings) will have you thanking the heavens above that your little pump is still doing its job. The series premieres tonight with an hourlong episode about heart pumps and heart transplants that will curl your toes. The second hour explores the treatment options for those whose hearts' rhythms are disrupted. Interviews with patients, doctors and scientists and in-depth looks at the lives of those struggling with heart ailments make this a fascinating and informative series that's well worth watching.

-- H.H.

Also…

Is the CIA really filled with smoking-hot women? It is on NBC's new spy dramedy "Chuck." On Monday night's episode, Chuck collaborates with two CIA babes to steal a diamond back from some terrorists. Next comes the premiere of ABC's "Samantha Who?" (9:30 p.m. EDT), which stars Christina Applegate as a woman with amnesia. The pilot episode is pretty uneven, but Jean Smart's hilarious performance as Samantha's alarmingly self-involved mother is more than worth the price of admission.

On the talk shows

Contributors: Megan Doll, Heather Havrilesky, Eryn Loeb, Amy Reiter

• Looking for the Friday/weekend listings?
• Bookmark http://salon.com/tv_daily/ to get the new TV Daily every day.