Gorge on entertainment with this trusted TV diet

The creation of the ideal television schedule is an art. Some of the greatest shows that… The creation of the ideal television schedule is an art. Some of the greatest shows that television holds this season often overlap with one another, causing friction in the search for perfection.

The true television lover has to make sacrifices, so here’s a quick overview to create the perfect lineup and avoid the bitter taste of disappointment.

Sunday seems to favor mystery with “Cold Case” at 9 p.m. on CBS and “Medium” at 10 on NBC. While not as strong as some of the other dramas on CBS, “Cold Case” has more heart with its touching stories of closure as crimes several years old finally get resolved.

For a supernatural drama, “Medium” also has a lot of heart. Allison (Patricia Arquette) has a strong bond with her family, and a great deal of her choices as a psychic and medium are informed by her dedication to them.

Fox features its hit show, “Prison Break” Mondays at 8 p.m. The show stars Golden Globe-nominated Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield, the genius who tried to steal more than half a million dollars only so he could to get into prison and break out his brother. The prisoners escaped last season, but no doubt the show is just getting started.

Monday nights at 9 p.m. is the time slot for NBC’s “Heroes,” one of the most interesting new shows. “Heroes” centers on several characters with unusual powers, and the cast includes “Alias” actor Greg Grunberg, “Final Destination” star Ali Larter and “Gilmore Girls” alum Milo Ventimiglia.

The CW, formerly the separate channels UPN and the WB, features two of its strongest shows on Tuesday night, starting with “Gilmore Girls” at 8 p.m. The female-driven drama enters its seventh season, still maintaining a steady stream of viewers. “Gilmore Girls” now neighbors a critically acclaimed show, “Veronica Mars,” at 9.

“Veronica Mars” received more than enough buzz, but has suffered by being one of the only quality shows on the UPN network. With the introduction of The CW, hopefully “Mars” will gain ground with viewers and receive the credit it deserves.

At 10 p.m. on Tuesday, “Law ‘ Order: SVU” is the perfect safety net to fall back on. The spin-off has become a classic in its own right, and never fails to suck in viewers in mere minutes. And if you’re sick of “Law ‘ Order,” check out CBS’s new drama about a pack of thieves, “Smith.”

One of television’s best reality shows, Tyra Banks’s “America’s Next Top Model,” is making its new home on The CW at 8 p.m. Wednesdays. At 8:30 p.m., however, is the time slot for NBC’s promising new comedy “30 Rock” starring “Saturday Night Live” favorites Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and Rachel Dratch.

The J.J. Abrams hit “Lost” is on ABC at 9 p.m. Wednesdays. The intricate plots and the twisted surprises add up to a Golden Globe win for Best Drama Series. But the plots are so intricate that only weekly watchers can truly make sense of what’s happening.

Fox’s new show, “Justice,” seems like a more-than-worthy show to go against “Lost.” “Justice” may not be the same caliber as “Lost,” but Victor Garber leads a strong cast that includes Kerr Smith (“Dawson’s Creek”).

ABC’s newest viewer addiction, “Grey’s Anatomy,” moves to Thursdays at 9 p.m. Fans of the show won’t be able to keep away from Meredith Grey and her friends at Seattle Grace Hospital. The ever-shocking medical drama is up against two other shows worth watching: CBS’s hit “CSI” and “Supernatural” on The CW. After the unexpected final scene in “CSI” last season, the drama is sure to serve up yet another entertaining season.

“Supernatural,” while still a fledgling drama, is not only interesting, but often intelligent as well. While “Grey’s” seems to be the only choice for the show’s faithful followers, it is certainly not for everyone. This three-way lock between these players seems to be too big for anything else to compete, leaving Thursday very crowded for the space of just one hour.

The only substantial tidbits offered on Friday offers are the mathematical mysteries featured in “Numb3ers” at 10 p.m. on CBS. The drama does not view crime as a puzzle, but as an equation. The show’s two brothers, Don and Charlie Eppes, don’t see things in the same way, but their teamwork gets the crime-solving job done.

Even the biggest television fan needs a break sometimes, and nothing is worth watching on the weekend. So take Saturday night off after the rigorous viewing schedule from the week and relax. After six days with television’s best shows, anyone would be exhausted.