Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, October 25. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Office (NBC, 9 p.m.): “Shouldn’t The Office save its big Stephen Colbert cameo for November sweeps?” you ask, to which we reply, “Did you know that November sweeps begins tonight?” Four weeks of breathtaking ratings-baiting commences with The Office’s final Halloween episode, where Colbert will follow former Daily Show cohorts Steve Carell and Ed Helms into the televised paper business by playing Andy’s old a cappella rival “Broccoli Rob.” Aw, man—that was Erik Adams’ costume!
REGULAR COVERAGE
Last Resort (ABC, 8 p.m.): Unless ABC dictated to Shawn Ryan that his sailors-without-a-country dig up some costumes to get into the holiday spirit, we’re guessing “Skeleton Crew” isn’t a Halloween episode. There go Scott Von Doviak’s hopes of seeing Robert Patrick dressed like the cover of Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew collection.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8 p.m.): “Would you like to yell at the moon with Buzz Aldrin?” the second man on the moon once asked Liz Lemon. Now that Aldrin’s guesting on Big Bang Theory, he and the cast can bring Oliver Sava up to speed on the physics-based futility of such an activity.
The Vampire Diaries (The CW, 8 p.m.): Look, Vampire Elena, life after death can be fun: Here there be motorcycles! For further evidence, Carrie Raisler is quick to point out everything else that’s ever happened on this show.
30 Rock (NBC, 8 p.m.): Well, if The Big Bang Theory is going to steal Aldrin, then 30 Rock’s going to swipe the sexy vampire card from The Vampire Diaries: The strongest Cullen, Kellan Lutz, drops by an election-themed episode, and Pilot Viruet asks him to rip a phone book in half—with his fangs.
Up All Night (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): Its fortunes fading fast, Up All Night follows in the footsteps of falling shows that have come before it and… goes to the dentist? Margaret Eby opens up and says “Ahhh.”
Person Of Interest (CBS, 9 p.m.): If Phil Dyess-Nugent can’t watch the mob do anything interesting on Vegas, at least organized crime is presenting Reese and Finch with some intriguing complications. Moral compromises? Fuhgeddaboudit.
Parks And Recreation (NBC, 9:30 p.m.): Guys! Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt, aka history’s greatest romance, are in big trouble, because Ben’s been offered a job! This is literally ruining Steve Heisler’s entire week!
Scandal (ABC, 10 p.m.): In The A.V. Club’s final regular review of Scandal, Ryan McGee considers the case of a missing college student. Or, as they refer to it on campus, midterms. [Mimes golf stroke.]
Elementary (CBS, 10 p.m.): LadyWatson reenters the dating ladyscene, because that’s the right type of ladyplot for this particular ladydetective. Once more, Myles McNutt assures us this is more nuanced than the episode synopsis makes it sound.
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX, 10 p.m.): Dennis’ ex with the dead tooth is about to become Dennis’ newlywed ex with the dead tooth, so the gang decides to crash her wedding. For tonight only, you can call Emily Guendelsberger by her wedding-crashing pseudonym, Shmemily Shmuendelsberger.
The League (FX, 10:30 p.m.): Having recently taught a handful of storybook characters the meaning of “proud” on Sesame Street, Timothy Olyphant menaces Nick Kroll in the guise of a sushi chef. Margaret Eby had no idea U.S. Marshals were qualified to do so much.
Childrens Hospital (Cartoon Network, midnight): “Attention staff: Michael Cera’s announcer is butting into the action much more than usual—a fact David Sims finds funny due to the use of the work ‘butt.’”
NTSF: SUV: SD:: (Cartoon Network, 12:15 a.m.): The show goes Revolution when all computers in San Diego go “kablungo.” Kevin McFarland is using his computer to note the repetition of the syllable “go” in that last sentence. Go, Kevin McFarland, go!
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (11 a.m.): Wallace Shawn’s back as Grand Nagus Zek, everyone! Hooray for Wallace Shawn! Bust out the “Thank you, Wallace Shawn” banners and break open the Wallace Shawn-pagne, and join Zack Handlen in a rousing verse of “For He’s A Jolly Good Wallace Shawn.”
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
The Addams Family (ABC Family, 8 p.m.): Prepare to see how Bryan Fuller brought The Munsters into the 21st century (beyond treating them to Macintosh sound effects) by watching how Fuller’s old Pushing Daisies partner Barry Sonnefeld dragged the Addamses kicking and screaming (mostly screaming) into the 1990s. Hint: It involves some MC Hammer.
Zombieland (FX, 8 p.m.): It’s been three years since Zombieland’s theatrical run, so there are no longer any rules against revealing the movie’s big secret: Woody Harrelson’s character thinks the zombie outbreak was an inside job.
World Series: Game 2: Tigers at Giants (Fox, 7:30 p.m.): The Giants dismantled Tigers ace Justin Verlander in game one, giving Detroit fans bad flashbacks to the Fall Classic of 2006. Doug Fister takes the mound hoping to quiet the suddenly potent bat of San Francisco slugger Pablo Sandoval.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Middle: With Sue behind the wheel for this Halloween episode, Will Harris had no idea where the half-hour’s final destination was, but