January 26, 2012 04:00 AM PDT

The TVLine-Up: TV Worth Watching This Thursday

by Alyse Whitney

Get More: Lists, Premieres, Previews, TVLine-Ups

On TV this Thursday: NBC 30 Rocks extra-hard, The Finder gets looped into a Cinderella story, Showtime goes Inside Comedy with Seinfeld and Rickles, and more. Here are nine programs to keep on your radar.

8 pm American Idol (Fox) | The judges hear another round of good, bad and outrageous tryouts, this time in Galveston, Tex. (Read Michael Slezak’s Night 4/Aspen recap.)

8 pm 30 Rock (NBC) | Jack faces off with nemesis Devin Banks (guest star Will Arnett) and Liz’s new boyfriend (James Marsden). (But wait, there’s more 30 Rock at 9 o’clock….)

8 pm The Big Bang Theory (CBS) | Leonard and Penny experiment with dating, while Raj develops a peculiar relationship with his phone’s virtual assistant. (You may know her as Siri.)

8:30 pm Parks and Recreation (NBC) | Leslie and Ben hold a bowling party after hearing feedback from a focus group; April, Chris, Donna and Jerry wager to see who can raise the most campaign money.

8:30 pm Rob (CBS) | After Rob and Maggie disagree over a pillow, Rosa and Fernando teach them that their first fight will determine who has all of the power in their relationship.

2012 Renewal Scorecard: What’s Coming Back? What’s Getting Axed? What’s on the Bubble?

9 pm The Finder (Fox) | Walter assists with an unusual Cinderella story as a NASA scientist searches for the matching shoe of a red stiletto left behind by a woman he met at a bar.

9 pm 30 Rock (NBC) | In the second of tonight’s two new episodes, Liz borrows from Jack’s own playbook to handle her contract negotiations.

Exclusive: The Finder Hosts 7th Heaven Reunion, Casts George Stults as Geoff’s TV Brother

10 pm Archer (FX) | Cyril is promoted to field agent and Malory institutes a strict drug-testing policy — neither of which sits well with the staff of ISIS.

Hot for Winter: Your January Premieres, Returns and Finales Calendar

11 pm Inside Comedy (Showtime) | Series premiere: Comedy legends share with host David Steinberg (Curb Your Enthusiasm) defining moments, influences and struggles from their careers. The opener features Jerry Seinfeld and Don Rickles.

Which of the above is must-see for you? Also, hit Comments to offer your own tune-in suggestions!

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Comments (24)

Only The Big Bang Theory for me.
I guess I will catch up on DVR or a movie.
Kinda feeling put out no new POI.
Comment by kirads09 – January 26, 2012 04:14 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Yay for The Finder!
Comment by Craig – January 26, 2012 04:50 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Sad that there is no new TVD today! I can’t wait for Elijah’s first full episode back! Guess I’m going to watch Parks & Rec live for once and TBBT too!
Comment by Ari – January 26, 2012 04:53 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Wonder why they’re showing 2 episodes of 30 Rock? I’m guessing that preempts The Office? I’ll watch (at some point) The Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock, and Parks and Rec. Sad there’s no new Vampire Diaries tonight!
Comment by Little Scarf Girl – January 26, 2012 05:55 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Only Project Runway for me! Didn’t even make your list.
Comment by Bobbi – January 26, 2012 06:30 AM PDT Reply To This Post
DVR catchup night. Absolutely nothing worth my time. Not even a TVD repeat.
Comment by Liz – January 26, 2012 06:31 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Just Parks and Rec for me this evening.
Comment by Kendal – January 26, 2012 06:58 AM PDT Reply To This Post
These are the must-sees on my Thursday list and they didn’t even make your’s!

The Mentalist, Person of Interest, Bones, American Idol, Project Runway All Stars, Private Practice, The Firm.

I wish they would spread some of these shows around to fall on different nights.
Comment by umbrella – January 26, 2012 07:05 AM PDT Reply To This Post
- Most things are in repeats this week i.e. my entire lineup TVD, Grey’s, SC, PP, The Mentalist. They’ll be back next week. Movie night FTW.
  Comment by Danielle H – January 26, 2012 02:25 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Same! I was looking forward to a new POI. Same with The Mentalist
Comment by pv – January 26, 2012 08:11 AM PDT Reply To This Post
None to watch tonight since PERSON OF INTEREST & THE MENTALIST are on repeat mode but I’ll watch them both next week (Groundhog Day) with new episodes for the beginning of February sweeps.
Comment by kevin – January 26, 2012 08:17 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Parks & Rec and then watching the Netflix dvd that’s been giving me side-eye from the coffee table for two weeks.
Comment by Nicole – January 26, 2012 08:21 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Just big bang. I wanna see if rob gets any better. Y is nothing on tonite? More specifically ybe shows I always watch.
Comment by l – January 26, 2012 08:38 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Big bang theory. Sad no vd or sc tonight.
Comment by Brandy – January 26, 2012 08:45 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Tonight, The Big Bang Theory, Parks and Recreation and The Finder are on my list. Shame that there’s no new Person of Interest or The Office tonight.
Comment by Justin – January 26, 2012 08:54 AM PDT Reply To This Post
The Big Bang and The Finder for me.
Comment by gcem – January 26, 2012 09:37 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Why is there no Vampire Diaries this week? Did I miss a memo?
Comment by Velvet – January 26, 2012 09:44 AM PDT Reply To This Post
- I don’t know why, other than their wanting to spread out the episodes, but last week’s preview said the next new episode would be February 2nd.
  Comment by Little Scarf Girl – January 26, 2012 09:47 AM PDT Reply To This Post
  - Thanks Little Scarf Girl
    Comment by Velvet – January 26, 2012 09:48 AM PDT Reply To This Post
30 Rock
Parks & Rec
The Finder
Comment by Velvet – January 26, 2012 09:46 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Only Big Bang Theory for me.
Comment by chase – January 26, 2012 11:05 AM PDT Reply To This Post
I will catch up with Justified and White Collar on TiVo
Comment by Whovian – January 26, 2012 12:07 PM PDT Reply To This Post
So, then, Inside Comedy is actually airing on a network. I was wondering, because in your ‘What To Watch Tonight’ box, it’s the only show that doesn’t have a network listed [as if it was being beamed directly to the brains of those who were interested...]

You might want to fix that.
Comment by Sheldon W. – January 26, 2012 02:07 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Why does NBC need 2 episodes of 30 rock and 0 episodes of Community. WTF?
Comment by Russ – January 26, 2012 10:52 PM PDT Reply To This Post