WASHINGTON, December 13, 2012 – Thursday night TV belongs to CBS hands down. Starting off with The Big Bang Theory and ending with Elementary, every Thursday show on CBS boasts in excess of ten million loyal viewers. Tonight NBC is airing back- to-back episodes of Up All Night, perhaps doing some classic counter-programming in an attempt to break the CBS stronghold.
I’ll confess I have never watched Up All Night. Like most people, I watch the CBS line-up. But after a little Google action, I have to admit I am now more than a little intrigued by the show. The show’s cast reads like a Saturday Night Live alumni party, and the show’s creator, Emily Spivey, was a staff writer on SNL for nine years. That carries a lot of weight in the world of comedy, at least in my mind.
Spivey’s original idea for Up All Night is based on her experience as a new and working mother while still writing for SNL. Like so many SNL alumni, Spivey has now moved on to what she hopes are greener pastures.
Up All Night has received a lot of positive reviews. Tonight, I’m going to resist the urge to record it, and instead, tune in and see what it has to offer. Who knows? It may be a really great show in a really bad time slot. Besides, I can always record the CBS line-up to view later.
Breaking news: Up All Night will take a brief filming break after December to reboot its set for a three-camera format. The new format will reportedly debut with new episodes some time in April or May 2013.
Tonight’s viewing:
All times are EST
8 p.m.
ABC: Last Resort: (New) Sam and James leave the island on a rescue attempt; a Chinese diplomat arrives to talk with Marcus.
CBS: The Big Bang Theory: (New) Sheldon revisits some Christmas memories during a game of Dungeons and Dragons, while Penny, Bernadette and Amy try to find a girl for Koothrappali when he joins the girls for ladies’ night.
FOX: The X Factor: (Live) Find out who stays and who is sent home.
NBC: Up All Night: (New) The Brinkleys search for some holiday spirit.
CW: Vampire Diaries: (New) As a Winter Wonderland-themed party fills the streets of Mystic Falls, Stefan and Caroline find themselves at odds with Tyler over his plans for Klaus and his hybrids. When Caroline proposes a solution to their problem, Hayley (guest star Phoebe Tonkin) finds a dramatic way to make it clear that she is not on board.
8:30 p.m.
CBS: Two and a Half Men: (New) Walden juggles having two identities – rich man and poor man – and Alan finds himself alone at Christmas.
NBC: Up All Night: (New) A flashback to Chris and Reagan’s wedding.
9 p.m.
ABC: Grey’s Anatomy: (New) While the doctors prepare for Bailey’s wedding, Richard helps her with her anxiety; Lizzie and Meredith butt heads; Callie and Jackson try to get Derek to submit to a risky surgery for his hand.
CBS: Person of Interest: (New) While the FBI refocuses their efforts to catch “The Man in the Suit,” Reese’s latest POI becomes a personal quest after he learns that she’s the sister of a soldier who was killed in action.
FOX: Glee: (New) Several holiday storylines come together to form one merry episode.
NBC: Take It All: (New) A gift-swap game in which contestants grapple with choices that could leave them empty-handed.
CW: Beauty and the Beast: (New) When Catherine’s (Kristin Kreuk) dad (guest-star Rob Stewart) gets remarried, the bride-to-be and her bridesmaids try to find the daughter-of-the-groom a date for the wedding.
10 p.m.
ABC: Scandal: (New) Olivia helps the vice president; Cyrus learns the truth about James’ investigation; Olivia’s associates struggle with an unexpected betrayal.
CBS: Elementary: (New) Sherlock is called in to investigate when a supposedly uncrackable bank vault called “The Leviathan” is breached. Meanwhile, Joan is pleasantly surprised when Sherlock meets her family and defends her choice to become a sober companion.
NBC: Rock Center With Brian Williams: (New) Chobani founder turns centuries old Greek yogurt into a billion dollar craze.
Basic cable
New episodes of:
Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up at 8 p.m. on NGC
Rocket City Rednecks at 9 and 9:30 p.m. on NGC
Top Ten Weddings of 2012 at 9 p.m. on TLC
Mysteries at the Museum at 9 p. m. on Travel Channel
Panic 9-1-1 at 10 p.m. on A&E
Ghost Town Gold at 10 p.m. on DSC
Sweet Genius at 10 p.m. on Food Channel
Jersey Shore at 10 p.m. on MTV
American Chainsaw at 10 and 10:30 p.m. on NGC
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
Miracle on 34th Street on AMC
What’s Love Got To Do With It on CINEMAX
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life on FLIX
Courage Under Fire on REELZ
Les Miserables on TCM
Ransom on TMC
9 p.m.
Horrible Bosses on MOMAX
The Change-Up on HBO
Later evening:
The Bridges of Madison County at 9:40 p.m. on ENC
Windtalkers at 10 p.m. on FLIX
13 Going on 30 at 10:35 p.m. on STARZ
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