'Survivor,' 'Top Model' return to TV

TV
The TV season is kicking in, and this week, two major reality shows return. "Survivor South Pacific" will have some familiar elements. It's shot again in Samoa, and Ben "Coach" Wade and Ozzy Lusth, both former contestants, will be competing along with 16 newbies. (Premieres Sept. 14, 8 p.m., CBS.)

And Tyra Banks is bringing some familiar faces back as well. "America's Next Top Model: All-Stars" will include a batch of former contestants. Celebrity judges will include La Toya Jackson, Kathy Griffin and Ashlee Simpson. (Premieres Sept. 14, 9 p.m., The CW.)

It's not the Oscars, but if you watch more TV than you see movies, you may actually prefer the Primetime Emmy Awards. Jane Lynch, known as acerbic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on "Glee," will host the event. Among the presenters this year: Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Ashton Kutcher, Zooey Deschanel, Sofia Vergara and Julianna Marguiles. (Sept. 18, 8 p.m., FOX.)

Movies
Back in the 1980s, The Cars sang "who's gonna drive you home ... tonight?" Don't let it be Ryan Gosling. The actor stars in "Drive" as a stuntman with a criminal side job, who discovers a contract has been put out on his life. We're expecting some fancy driving and some rubber-burning special effects, but early reviews of the movie itself are positive beyond just the car craziness. (Opens Sept. 16.)

Books
Roger Ebert is perhaps the world's best-known movie critic, thanks to his past TV review shows and his partnership with the late Gene Siskel. He can no longer speak or eat normally due to cancer, but he's still making himself heard, via his reviews in the Chicago Sun-Times and his active Twitter presence. And now he's written about his fascinating life in "Life Itself: A Memoir," a nearly 500-page book that takes him from his idyllic Illinois childhood to fame and his colorful career. (Published Sept. 13.)

DVD
Thor was always one of the most interesting superheroes, because he was never just a guy in tights with a great workout regimen, he was a Norse god. Chris Hemsworth muscled up for the role and he's always believable in "Thor," even when wielding his mighty hammer Mjolnir. He's even kind of funny, as when he throws his coffee mug on the floor in a desert diner and roars "This drink...I like it! More!" Try that at Starbucks sometime. (Out on DVD Sept. 13.)

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is TODAY.com's movies editor.