(ALL TIMES ET)
8PM | FOX – SERIES PREMIERE
The X Factor – Here it is: Our chance to see if the much-hyped American version of Simon Cowell‘s British singing competition series can 1) draw as many viewers as American Idol; 2) become the kind of pop culture phenomenon Idol, and more recently, The Voice, are; and 3) actually find the singing talent that will be worthy of $5 million, the whopping grand prize The X Factor winner will receive.
8PM | ABC – 3RD SEASON PREMIERE
The Middle – Series star Patricia Heaton reunites with her old Everybody Loves Raymond hubby Ray Romano, who guest stars as Mike’s (Neil Flynn) sad sack pal, a guy we learn, via flashback, almost ruined Frankie and Mike’s honeymoon.
8PM | NBC
Up All Night – Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Chris (Will Arnett) try to make friends with the cool kids, their new hipster neighbors.
9PM | ABC – 3RD SEASON PREMIERE
Modern Family – The hour-long season opener finds the very Emmy-ed show at a dude ranch, where Jay (Ed O’Neill) dukes it out with a cowboy. And, of course, we meet the new, older Lily, who may not be so happy to hear about her daddies’ plans to add another bundle of joy to their family unit.
9PM | HISTORY CHANNEL
The Stoned Ages – As if the title of this history of drugs and their impact on society wasn’t clever enough, History Channel’s host: The best damn DEA agent in TV land, Hank Schrader, a.k.a. Emmy-worthy Breaking Bad star Dean Norris.
10PM | CBS – 12TH SEASON PREMIERE
CSI – How weird is it to see CSI pop up on the Wednesday night schedule? Almost as weird as the thought of Sam Malone leading the CSI-ers, but there he is, Ted Danson, replacing Laurence Fishburne, as the lab’s new supervisor, DB Russell.
10PM | NBC – 13TH SEASON PREMIERE
Law & Order: SVU – Ripped from the summer’s headlines: a hotel maid accuses an Italian diplomat of rape, but her story comes under intense scrutiny. And, with Chris Meloni‘s Stabler gone, Benson (Mariska Hargitay) gets a new partner, an Atlanta transfer played by former All My Children star Kelli Giddish.
10PM | FOOD NETWORK
Restaurant: Impossible – Chef Robert Irvine heads to San Diego, where he tries to revive The Trails, a cute little café whose owners are on the verge of bankruptcy.
10PM | ABC – SERIES PREMIERE
Revenge – Everwood and Brothers & Sisters alum Emily VanCamp stars in this soapy drama as Emily, a young woman who goes back to the Hamptons to get revenge on the people she deems responsible for ruining her family. The Hamptons … hey, maybe she’ll run into Hank and Evan from Royal Pains. Anyhoo, as for whether or not the new series is worth checking out: definitely. You may find yourself with a new guilty pleasure drama on your list of must-see Wednesday night TV.
Worth flipping to during commercials:
– On H8R (8PM, The CW), Eva Longoria and the Kardashian tool (I know, like that narrows it down), Scott Disick, meet and try to change the minds of people who hate them;
– Another Gilligan is voted off on Survivor (8PM, CBS);
– Alex has to wine and dine a key client to keep him from fleeing to another agency on Free Agents (8:30PM, NBC);
– Ashlee Simpson is the guest judge on America’s Next Top Model (9PM, The CW);
– The seventh season opens with the team facing a Senate committee after the loss of Prentiss on Criminal Minds (9PM, CBS);
– The second season opener of Harry’s Law (9PM, NBC) finds the lawyers moving from the shoe store to a loft;
– Bethenny Frankel, my all-time favorite Real Housewife, is the focus of a new E! True Hollywood Story (10PM);
– Fun: the Top Chef Just Desserts (10PM, Bravo) contestants create, name and package their own candy bar.
And the late-night line-up:
– Conan (11PM, TBS): Chris Pratt and Jim Parsons;
– The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11PM, Comedy Central): Gov. Mitch Daniels;
– The Colbert Report (11:30PM, Comedy Central): Daniel Yergin;
– The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35PM, CBS): Taylor Lautner, Minka Kelly and Wilco;
– The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35PM, NBC): Amy Poehler and Joseph Gordon-Levitt;
– Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05AM, ABC): Julie Bowen;
– Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35AM, NBC): Jonah Hill and Whitney Cummings;
– The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:37AM, CBS): James Spader;
– Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35AM, NBC): Death Cab for Cutie.
(ALL TIMES ET)
9PM | USA
Royal Pains – Evan spends time with his grandfather (guest star Ed Asner) in hopes of helping Eddie’s (Henry Winkler) parole case, but he finds out the surprising real reason why his grandpa has been MIA from his life.
9PM | SCIENCE CHANNEL – SERIES PREMIERE
Wonders of the World – This new documentary series examining the atomic link between humanity and the universe is hosted by rocker/physicist Brian Cox.
9:30PM | DIY
Hollywood Hi-Tech – This will spark some home makeover envy: Nancy O’Dell gets a new family room with a 100-inch TV screen, five surround-sound speakers, cool new chairs and a love seat.
10PM | DIRECTV
Damages – Ellen’s case against Erickson (John Goodman) depends on soldier-turned-Erickson employee Chris Sanchez (Chris Messina), who’s in more than a little bit of danger because of it.
10PM | E!
E! True Hollywood Story: Snooki – I know, when you see the title of this entry in E!’s series, you think it’s a spoof, right? But it’s real … all too real.
10PM | FOOD NETWORK
Restaurant: Impossible – Chef Robert tries to help Virginia diner owners who are on the verge of bankruptcy because of mismanagement and a major issue with cleanliness.
10 and 10:30PM | A&E
Storage Wars – Laura fills in for sick auctioneer Dan, while the lockers she’s trying to unload include electronics and a cool movie prop.
10:30PM | COMEDY CENTRAL
Jon Benjamin Has a Van – Jon’s undercover assignment: Robbing a store. That sells surveillance equipment.
Worth flipping to during commercials:
– The Power of Veto competition happens on Big Brother (8PM, CBS);
– On Famous Food (8PM, VH1), Ashley fights with DJ Paul, Jake fights with Danielle and the whole gang has a run-in with designer Scott;
– Lady Gaga is a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance (8PM, Fox);
– While working on the school play, Eli thinks he’s found a new love interest on Degrassi (9PM, TeenNick);
– James Van Der Beek guests as Janie’s fiancé (who’s in need of legal assistance after his bachelor party) on Franklin & Bash (9PM, TNT);
– Meat America (9PM, History) is a two-hour special on the history of beef, pork and chicken;
– On Roseanne’s Nuts (9 and 9:30PM, Lifetime), Roseanne takes surfing lessons and tries to prove to the locals that her Hawaiian museum is not haunted;
– Evan plots (again) to get rid of CT, who finds himself in a love triangle with Laurel and Mandi on The Challenge: Rivals (10PM, MTV);
– Jennifer Love Hewitt guest stars as Victoria’s daughter Emmy on Hot in Cleveland (10PM, TV Land);
– Tommy decides to give an interview for the 9/11 documentary on Rescue Me (10PM, FX);
– Cat Deeley and Raven-Symone are among the dinner guests on Rocco’s Dinner Party (10PM, Bravo).
And the late-night line-up:
– Conan (11PM, TBS): Kevin Connolly;
– The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11PM, Comedy Central): Rachel Weisz;
– The Colbert Report (11:30PM, Comedy Central): Mary Cummings;
– The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35PM, CBS): Craig Ferguson;
– The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35PM, NBC): Vanessa Carlton and Chris Tucker;
– Lopez Tonight (Midnight, TBS): The Miz and Kate Walsh;
– Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05AM, ABC): Olivia Wilde;
– Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35AM, NBC): Neil Patrick Harris;
– The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:37AM, CBS): Mary McCormack;
– Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35AM, NBC): Lykke Li (REPEAT).
(ALL TIMES ET)
10PM | A&E – 2ND SEASON PREMIERE
Storage Wars – Back-to-back episodes kick off the surprise hit’s second season, which includes bespectacled Barry taking a member of Aerosmith to an auction. I loved the show in its first season, so here’s hoping it hasn’t lost its charms now that the “stars” of the show are, well, stars. Reality TV stars, but still.
9PM | LIFETIME
Roseanne’s Nuts – Roseanne gets another shot at the national anthem – remember her last one? – for a local softball game in Hawaii.
9PM | USA
Royal Pains – Hank and Evan head to Florida for Eddie’s (Henry Winkler) parole hearing. Free Fonzie!
9:30PM | DIY – SERIES PREMIERE
Hollywood Hi-Tech – The new series chronicles techie renovations in celeb homes. First up: Entourage star Kevin Connolly and his cool home theater, with raised seating, an HD projector and a 110-inch screen.
10PM | FX
Rescue Me – Lou faces the big FDNY physical, while Tommy faces – not well – the news that Jimmy is featured in a 9/11 documentary. Meanwhile, anyone but me wishing the show had ended when Uncle Teddy shot Tommy in the bar at the end of season five? Wouldn’t that have been the perfect ending to the series? This season … chipping away at what has been, at times, a really terrific show.
10PM | FOOD NETWORK
Restaurant: Impossible – Chef Robert Irvine tries to help a sweet little South Carolina restaurant called Sweet Tea. The name alone would make me try it at least once.
10PM | TRUTV – SERIES PREMIERE
South Beach Tow – The newly-single Jennifer Lopez is a producer on this new reality series, which follows a family who runs a tow-truck business in Florida.
Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Famous Food (8PM, VH1) moves to Wednesday night, and in spite of my better judgment, I’m probably gonna TiVo it;
– Anya celebrates her 18th birthday on Degrassi (9PM, TeenNick);
– Kathy Najimy guest stars as a judge who put Franklin & Bash (9PM, TNT) on house arrest because of their courtroom antics;
– New Damages on DirecTV (10PM);
– Doris Roberts guest stars as Elka’s rival on Hot in Cleveland (10PM, TV Land);
– Adam tries to hook up with Jenn on Real World/Road Rules: The Challenge: Rivals (10PM, MTV);
– Michael Ian Black and S. Epatha Merkerson are among the guests at Rocco’s Dinner Party (10PM, Bravo);
– On Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry? (10PM, ID), a wife finds out her cop spouse is a serial rapist;
– Andy Richter guests on Jon Benjamin Has a Van (10:30PM, Comedy Central).
And the late-night line-up:
– Conan (11PM, TBS): Justin Timberlake;
– The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11PM, Comedy Central): Steve Carell;
– The Colbert Report (11:30PM, Comedy Central): Michael Sandel;
– The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35PM, CBS): Jeremy Piven and Cee-Lo Green;
– The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35PM, NBC): Daniel Craig and Gavin DeGraw;
– Lopez Tonight (Midnight, TBS): Michael Rapaport;
– Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05AM, ABC): John Stamos and Owl City;
– Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35AM, NBC): Ryan Gosling and Andy Cohen;
– The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:37AM, CBS): Breckin Meyer;
– Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35AM, NBC): Janelle Monae (REPEAT).
(ALL TIMES ET)
8PM | ABC
The Middle – Brick gets a D (a D) on a math test, and Frankie thinks it’s his teacher’s (guest star Doris Roberts) fault. But when the teach proposes she and Mike take the test to see how fair it is, the math-minded mom may change her tune.
Check local listings for time and channel | PBS
Great Performances: Harry Connick Jr. in Concert on Broadway – The DVD hit stores yesterday, but tune in tonight to see the fantastic crooner sing tunes like “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Bésame Mucho.”
8PM | FOX
American Idol – The top 12 women perform and, hopefully, unlike last night, J.Lo and Steven Tyler can give some honest feedback, because they were definitely hearing different vocals than the rest of us were hearing from some of the top 12 dudes.
8PM | CBS
Survivor: Redemption Island – The first Redemption Island duel of the season happens tonight, while Russell is on the hot seat, yet again, with his teammates.
9PM | ABC
Modern Family – Phil’s off for a day at the spa, while Gloria and Jay argue about the creepiness of his and her burial plots.
10PM | SYFY
Face Off – The challenge for the artists tonight: To create original zombies for a dance routine.
10PM | TLC – 2ND SEASON PREMIERE
Hoarding: Buried Alive – Extreme hoarder Jahn has double the trouble of the usual hoarder: She’s got two houses full of stuff, both of which have been condemned, and both of which she now has to clear out.
10PM | FX
Justified – We finally get the backstory on Rachel when her brother-in-law (guest star Larenz Tate) flees from a halfway house and goes on a crime spree that sheds light on some heartbreaking family history.
10PM | FOOD NETWORK
Restaurant: Impossible – Chef Robert performs a makeover on the tired Flood Tide eatery in Mystic, Connecticut.
10PM | BRAVO
Top Chef: All-Stars – The chefs’ relatives visit when they’re challenged to create dishes based on their family tree.
Worth flipping to during commercials:
– On America’s Next Top Model (8PM, The CW), Alek Wek is the guest judge, as the models have to pose with live bees on them;
– Prentiss fears her old Interpol nemesis is after her and the BAU team on Criminal Minds (9PM, CBS);
– Bret Michaels chats on Piers Morgan Tonight (9PM, CNN);
– The couples compete for their wedding cakes on Shedding for the Wedding (9PM, The CW);
– Ben’s plan to get his employees to like him backfires on Mr. Sunshine (9:30PM, ABC);
– On Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (10PM, CBS), a serial killer takes that whole “see no evil” thing literally: he removes his victim’s eyes;
– Victoria considers making a sex tape to spark a career comeback on Hot in Cleveland (10PM, TV Land);
– All the teens from season one reunite to show where they are now on I Used to Be Fat (10PM, MTV).
And the late-night line-up:
– Conan (11PM, TBS): Chelsea Handler;
– The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11PM, Comedy Central): Allison Stanger;
– The Colbert Report (11:30PM, Comedy Central): Harry Connick Jr.;
– The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35PM, CBS): Donald Trump and Vanessa Hudgens;
– The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35PM, NBC): Simon Cowell and Jeff Gordon;
– Lopez Tonight (Midnight, TBS): DJ Pauly D and Ron Artest;
– Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05AM, ABC): Nick Offerman and Amanda Seyfried;
– Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35AM, NBC): Mike Tyson;
– The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:37AM, CBS): (REPEAT);
– Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35AM, NBC): Tom Shadyac.
(ALL TIMES ET)
10PM | CBS – SERIES PREMIERE
Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior – Forest Whitaker – yes, Oscar winner Forest Whitaker – stars in this Minds spin-off about an elite BAU group that uses unorthodox methods to solve cases. Whitaker plays team lead Sam Cooper, whose cohorts also include Beth Griffith, played by another unlikely CBS procedural star, Janeane Garofalo.
8PM | FOX
American Idol – Hollywood round two means group performances, some of the most dramatic, catty moments of the season. It’s also usually where we see some new contenders emerge, so we’ve got that going for us.
8PM | ABC
The Middle – Frankie goes friend shopping for Brick. (Friend shopping).
8PM | CBS – 22ND SEASON PREMIERE
Survivor: Redemption Island – The group of 18 castaways that begin tonight’s competition include rivals Boston Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz. They’ll be among the first to play the game with the show’s new “Redemption Island” rule, where players voted off live in exile with a chance to re-enter the game.
9PM | ABC
Modern Family – The Valentine’s episode fell flat for me, but this one promises to be a redemption, as Shelley Long returns as Claire’s mom, who’s now dating Claire’s high school boyfriend (guest star Matt Dillon), and … Fizbo returns!
9PM | TLC – 1ST SEASON FINALE
My Strange Addiction – The season ends with one of the all-time weirdest cases: a woman who eats pottery (!) and sprinkles ashes on her food.
10PM | TV LAND
Hot in Cleveland – Susan Lucci and her All My Children cohorts pop in on Cleveland, as Victoria and her pals return to Los Angeles for her appearance on AMC.
10PM | FX
Justified – Boyd Crowder – the fantastic Walton Goggins – is back, working in a coal mine, and promising Raylan that his wicked ways are behind him. Raylan, of course, is skeptical. Meanwhile, the recently orphaned Loretta gets a new family: The Bennetts.
10PM | FOOD NETWORK
Restaurant: Impossible – Chef Robert visits an Italian restaurant in Missouri, where the food is so bad that even the proprietors won’t eat it. Yet they’re okay with taking their customers’ money for the nasty nosh …
11PM | BRAVO
Approval Matrix – Is this the new Best Week Ever? Here’s hoping, as the addictive New York magazine feature has inspired this show, in which pop culture pundits discuss newsy, buzzworthy events and things from the week.
Worth flipping to during commercials:
– Nova (9PM, PBS) investigates the 2009 crash of Air France Flight 447;
– Quadrangle (9PM, HBO) is a provocative documentary about a pair of couples who engaged in a four-way marriage;
– Nick Jonas guest stars on Mr. Sunshine (9:30PM, ABC);
– Tonight’s awesome challenge finds the contestants creating their own horror movie villain, plus a title, tagline and movie poster on Face Off (10PM, Syfy);
– A teen named Tanner wants to lose weight and marry his girlfriend on I Used to Be Fat (10PM, MTV);
– Debra Messing guest stars as a Chris Harrison-like TV host who investigates predators on Law & Order: SVU (10PM, NBC);
– The clinic is robbed on Off the Map (10PM, ABC);
– The client on Top Chef: All-Stars (10PM, Bravo): Cookie Monster, and he wants some delicious coo-kies!;
– Erica gets a lesson in embracing the present on Being Erica (11PM, SOAPnet).
And the late-night line-up:
– Conan (11PM, TBS): Fred Armisen and Martin Lawrence;
– The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11PM, Comedy Central): Brian Williams;
– The Colbert Report (11:30PM, Comedy Central): Kurt Anderson;
– The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35PM, CBS): Bill Hader;
– The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35PM, NBC): Charles Barkley and J-WOWW;
– Lopez Tonight (Midnight, TBS): Liam Neeson, Eddie Griffith and a performance by the cast of Rock of Ages;
– Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05AM, ABC): Javier Bardem and Flavor Flav;
– Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35AM, NBC): Rosie O’Donnell;
– The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:37AM, CBS): TBA;
– Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35AM, NBC): Yelawolf and Michael Rapaport.
Charlie Sheen, Russell Brand and Louis C.K. are getting most of the attention, but I’m most excited that one of the best new shows of last TV season — Wilfred — returns for its second season on FX tonight (10PM ET). Season one of the series ended with a cliffhanger — had Ryan (Elijah Wood) […]
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