Here's what has happened and what to expect on some of TV's favorite returning shows:

"30 Rock" (Thursday at 8:30 p.m., NBC)

Liz (Tina Fey) had real estate issues -- big time -- and Jack (Alec Baldwin) broke up with C.C. (Edie Falco). TV Guide says that next week the staff gets bent out of shape about a new reality show, and that an old Liz boyfriend (or two) "worms" his (their) way back into her life.

"The Office" (Thursday at 9, NBC)

Michael (Steve Carell) had to go to New York because he was deposed in Jan's (Melora Hardin) wrongful-termination suit. When the show returns, Michael and Jan have dinner with Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer), and there is much tension.

"ER" (Thursday at 10 p.m., NBC):

Gates (John Stamos) and Sam (Linda Cardellini) make goo-goo eyes. Oooh, goo-goo eyes turn to something more serious, but this is a love affair that happens in a hurry, due to the strike.

"Desperate Housewives" (April 13 at 9 p.m., ABC):

The tornado demolished Wisteria Lane, and a few lives in the process. Now, the tornado is apparently the least of their worries, with Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) blind, Katherine's (Dana Delany) ex-hubby dead, or maybe not dead, and Victor Lang (John Slattery) still very much dead.

"Gossip Girl" (April 21 at 8 p.m., The CW):

Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) still isn't telling Dan (Penn Badgley) about her mysterious background while Blair (Leighton Meester) is no longer an innocent. Expect to learn more about Serena's aforementioned background.

"Ugly Betty" (April 24 at 8 p.m., ABC):

Betty (America Ferrara) and Henry (Chris Gorham) are in love! Now, maybe we'll learn what exactly Wilhelmina (Vanessa Williams) is up to?

"Grey's Anatomy" (April 24 at 9 p.m., ABC):

Phew, where to begin! Mere (Ellen Pompeo) and McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) are on the outs, and so are Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and her hub, though Lexie (Chyler Leigh) may be serious (or not) with Alex (Justin Chambers). Show boss Shonda Rhimes told TV Guide that the show will "leap ahead five or six weeks in time," so viewers will see where all this stuff now stands.

"House" (April 28 at 9 p.m., Fox):

Phew, where to begin (again)! House (Hugh Laurie) wants Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) to sleep with Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) so Amber (Anne Dudek) will stop bugging him; Wilson confronts House and ... maybe they're having a thing, too, and ... . Let's just say these storylines get picked up, and certainly should.