Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, November 17. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8 p.m.): Attention all ye Sheldon/Amy shippers: Tonight’s episode promises that when Stuart from the comic book store asks Amy on a date, Sheldon is forced to reconsider what she means to him. Clutch your beads, and prepare to squeal in excitement, unless nothing actually happens, which is always a possibility on this show, no? Also, have you noticed that Stuart is just the all-purpose way for the romantic storylines to move forward? When will he start dating Bernadette to convince Howard of something or other? Anyway, Oliver Sava writes up your new comedy overlord.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Community (NBC, 8 p.m.): Apparently, some sort of news about this show came out this week? We missed it entirely, but I guess you’re all pretty excited about it? It would be a shame if discussion of said news took away from discussing this episode with your ol’ pal Todd VanDerWerff.
The X Factor (Fox, 8 p.m.): One contestant will be eliminated tonight, and if prior episodes are any indication, it will probably be Lakoda Rayne, since America just doesn’t give a shit about groups, no matter what Simon Cowell tells them to think. Emily Yoshida feels bad for those plucky kids.
Parks & Recreation (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): Leslie Knope’s plan to boost tourism: Build the smallest park in all of Indiana. Wouldn’t you think the fact that her city is featured in a long-running television documentary would be something of a selling point? Steve Heisler would visit Pawnee in a snap.
The Office (NBC, 9 p.m.): Andy brings the staff to Gettysburg to teach them about brotherhood or something, and we’re ready to take your bets on just which cast member will be forced to say, “Four score and seven years ago…” Myles McNutt has his money on Creed.
Whitney (NBC, 9:30 p.m.): Tonight’s episode a.) features Lisa Lampanelli as a dog pound owner and b.) has an exclamation point in its title (“Clarence!”). We’re not sure if either of those things bode well or bode ill, but we do know that Erik Adams loves puppies. Go, puppies!
Beavis And Butt-Head (MTV, 10 p.m.): Last week’s episode gave us some intriguing hints about what might be up with Daria, since her own show ended. Let’s just say it now: We’d love to see a new Daria. And cover the original series in TV Club Classic. Kenny Herzog sees what the original guys are up to.
Burn Notice (USA, 10 p.m.): Michael heads after a scientist captured by an African warlord, and we’re hoping the show actually sends him to Africa, instead of just trying to pretend an African warlord would come to Miami for some reason. Scott Von Doviak always conducts important business in South Florida.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX, 10 p.m.): In what should be a riveting bit of back-story, we learn the true mysteries behind how Mac got fat. This might be just us, but we’re betting he ate a lot and didn’t really exercise. Emily Yoshida is betting on a solution that’s more supernatural in origins.
Prime Suspect (NBC, 10 p.m.): We hope you weren’t too attached to this show—which was pretty good and getting better with every week—because NBC all but canceled it by shutting down production. Hayden Childs will say farewell… as soon as NBC burns off the episodes it has in the can.
The League (FX, 10:30 p.m.): Jeff Goldblum and Sarah Silverman turn up for the gang’s Thanksgiving dinner, which means that The League wins Guest Star Bingo for the evening. It can collect its prize from Margaret Eby at the TV Club welcome desk.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Star Trek: The Next Generation (11 a.m.): As he nears the end of the series, Zack Handlen increasingly just seems completely worn out. Today, he checks out how TNG attempts to wrap up the Wesley Crusher story arc, and if you’d forgotten there was such a thing, well, you’re forgiven.
Seinfeld (1 p.m.): George takes alluring pictures of himself that still turn up on Internet forums now and again, and Jerry dates a girl whose mentor is dating Bania. Yep. Sounds like David Sims has gotten to this show’s eighth season, all right.
Cheers (3 p.m.): Our own version of the famous gang from Cheers tries to figure out just what it was about Carla that made her so popular in the early ‘80s and looks at an episode from early in the show’s run that qualifies as something of a forgotten classic.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie (Showtime, 7:55 p.m.): You won’t find bigger Wavy Gravy fans than us. Okay, you could probably find bigger Wavy Gravy fans than us, but we thought we’d let you know that this was on anyway, if you’re feeling like getting Gravy Fever.
Beneath The Blue (The CW, 8 p.m.): The CW has taken two of its most successful shows off the air for the last Thursday in November sweeps because… it wants to air a TV movie about saving dolphins that stars The Vampire Diaries’ Paul Wesley? All right. That’s certainly one way to ruin your network.
Regis Philben: The Morning Maestro, With Katie Couric (ABC, 8 p.m.): Regis is retiring or something like that, so here’s a chance to watch him do his thing in an hour-long interview with Katie Couric. We know how much all of you just love Regis and breaking out stale Who Wants To Be A Millionaire references.
Private Practice (ABC, 9 p.m.): You can tell that this is one of ABC’s workplace soaps because it’s a.) a two-hour super-dramatic event about one character getting an intervention from the other characters (shades of Party Of Five!) and b.) boasting about featuring Mary J. Blige music in the episode summary.
Tangled (Starz, 7:05 p.m.): This winning and goofy CG-animated movie was one of the most delightful surprises at the multiplex last year, and it just cemented Mandy Moore’s placement as “number one in our hearts,” thanks to her work as Rapunzel here.
Juggernaut (TCM, 9:45 p.m.): We usually try to recommend movies we’ve seen and liked here, but we don’t know a damn thing about this one. But it was directed by Richard Lester, stars tons of cool people, and has a premise—luxury liner lined with explosives!—that sounds absolutely bugfuck insane.
College Football: North Carolina at Virginia Tech (ESPN, 8 p.m.): This featured game doesn’t sound incredibly high stakes, but if we would have gone with the NFL game over on the NFL Network, you all would have been, “Wah, wah, wah!” Enjoy your college sports, kids.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Modern Family (Wednesday): Donna Bowman thought this episode was one of the weaker Modern Family episodes to date; the commenters seem to think it was one of the funnier ones this season. Who’s right? Check it out, and then join the debate in comments.