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What to Watch on Thursday: Finales for 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Scandal,' 'Community, others

Community (8pm, NBC) - Three new episodes of 'Community' close out the season. First, Pierce fights for his inheritance and the study group tag along for support. Then (9) the group plan a sneak attack to loosen Chang's grip on Greendale. Finally (9:30), Jeff represents Shirley in a dispute with Pierce, who in turn, retains the services of Jeff's former colleague.

Missing (8pm, ABC) - It's finally over tonight. And no renewal. Will Becca save her son? Of course she will.

30 Rock (8:30pm, NBC) - In the Season 6 finale, Jack sets out to prove his marriage is still strong, so he plans a vow renewal with Liz officiating.

Grey's Anatomy (9pm, ABC) - Season 8 ends with the doctors fighting to save themselves and each other after last week's plane crash. Also, Bailey and Ben make a decision about their relationship and Teddy gets a tempting offer.

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - A psychologist is in trouble and the FBI closes in on Reese in the Season 1 finale.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - Season 1 finale: When Quinn finds herself in a fix that's both tragic and compromising, Olivia and the team rush to help. Also, Cyrus turns to Olivia when an announcement shakes Fitz's presidency to its core.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - In the fourth-season finale, Jane deals with his latest loss to Red John by hitting rock bottom in Las Vegas and hooking up with a cocktail waitress.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - In part one of a two-part season finale -- who are we kidding! series finale -- truths about Britten's life-altering accident begin to surface as menacing conspiracies jeopardize both of his worlds. Britten also becomes a target when he turns vigilante and pursues Det. Hawkins.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Community' channels 'Law & Order'

Community (8pm, NBC) - I am so excited for this "Law & Order" spoof. When the group's science project is smashed, they launch a hunt for the culprit and hold a trial, over which the reluctant Professor Kane presides. But Jeff soon realizes there's much more to the story than anyone realizes. Chung-chung!!

30 Rock (8:30pm, NBC) - "30 Rock" tackles their second live episode (I didn't care for the first) with a plot that has Kabletown breaking the news that "TGS" will no longer be live. Liz and Jack embrace the change, believing a cheap, taped show will mean fewer headaches.

The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant (9pm, CNBC) - A look at Costco, the warehouse chain that racks up $88 billion in annual sales. Do customers really save money by purchasing in bulk, or simply consume more? Read Adrienne's review.

Touch (9pm, Fox) - Martin's search for Teller's workshop results in another professor's poker winnings. Meanwhile, a young Italian man tries to find the love of his life.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - Jane and the CBI investigate the death of a man whose charred body is found outside a cabaret where female impersonators perform.  

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - Following a surprising development in the Amanda Tanner case, former friends Olivia and Cyrus disagree and Cyrus tries to help in a probe of the personal lives of Olivia and her team.

What to Watch on Thursday: New NBC comedies, 'Touch' begins on Fox

Community (8pm, NBC) - Jeff is debilitated by his narcissism, which skyrockets when his confidence is boosted by anti-anxiety drugs and regular visits to a shrink. Also, the gang try to help Abed pay of his debt from a celebrity-impersonator habit. Also tonight, two new episodes of "30 Rock" (the 9:30 ep has Weird Al Yankovich) and a new "Up All Night" featuring Henry Winkler as Ava's dad.

Missing (8pm, ABC) - In the second episode of Ashley Judd's "special gift to America" (her own description of this series from a "Live with Kelly" interview), Becca makes a deal with the head of French Intelligence while searching for her missing son. Believe it or not, I'm still not a fan of this show even after Judd called me a "brat" on Twitter. 

Touch (9pm, Fox) - Fox previewed this episode of the new Keifer Sutherland (left) drama back in January, but it starts for real tonight. Possibly the same episode from the preview but record it anyway, just in case.

Project Runway All Stars (9pm, Lifetime) - A winner is picked in the season finale, and Tommy Hilfiger appears as a guest judge.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - A purported suicide during a high-end yacht party leads Michael to an encounter with Rex's ex-babysitter, Kate. In his other realm, Michael happens upon Kate again, but this time she appears as a suspect.

Archer (10pm, FX) - In the conclusion of the Season 3 finale, Archer and his ISIS colleagues travel to the final frontier to prevent a catastrophe aboard the International Space Station.

What to Watch on Thursday: ACC Tournament interrupts CBS programs

ACC Tournament: First Round (WRAL/ESPNU) - Games begin at noon and continue through tonight. At noon we have Maryland vs. Wake Forest and at 2:30 it's N.C. State vs. Boston College.  Regular CBS programming will either air at the regularly scheduled time on WRAL2 or overnight on WRAL. Go here for a breakdown of the logistics of catching all these shows (daytime and primetime) either on TV or online.  The Thursday night shows you'll want to plan for are two new episodes of "Big Bang Theory," "Person of Interest," and "The Mentalist."

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Eliminations begin tonight. New this season: a version of Garner's Scotty McCreery singing Tim McGraw's "Please Remember Me" will be played each week when a contestant is voted off. Scotty, the winner of last year's "Idol" contest, will most likely return to the show in person at some point this season.

30 Rock (8pm, NBC) - All new comedies on NBC tonight, starting with "30 Rock." Kenneth's new job pits him against Liz while Jack squares off against his teen nemesis, the sly Kaylie Hooper.

Saving Face (8:30pm, HBO) - This Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary Short debuts tonight on HBO. Read more about it here.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - As he continues to navigate his two versions of reality, Michael investigates the murder of a homeless person, with a mysterious man with short stature soon materializing as a suspect. Meanwhile, the accident that shattered Michael's life comes into clearer focus.

Archer (10pm, FX) - Archer's dead financee, Katya, miraculously reappears -- in Krieger's lab.

What to Watch on Thursday: Strange romance on a one-hour '30 Rock'

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Elena attends a formal ball at Klaus' newly renovated mansion and learns of a horrifying plan that could lead to numerous deaths.

30 Rock (8pm, NBC) - In a one-hour dose of "30 Rock," Liz and Criss (James Marsden, left) decide to celebrate Valentine's Day but must first purchase a new dining table. Also, Jack spends time with his mother-in-law, Jenna anticipates her first live performance on "America's Kidz Got Singing," and Lutz seeks a special person to share the holiday with.

Grey's Anatomy (9pm, ABC) - It's also Valentine's Day over on "Grey's," where Lexie and Mark are babysitting for both Meredith and Derek and Callie and Arizona. Also, the ER fills with sick and/or broken romantics.

The Finder (9pm, Fox) - Walter helps an amateur magician look for his assistant, who vanished after a disappearing act, but the trail also leads to a counterfeit operation.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - Jane hurries to prove a murder suspect is not guilty while the case is deliberated by a jury. Also, Cho realizes his informant may have crossed a line while trying to assist him.

What to Watch on Thursday: Tracy defends morons on '30 Rock'

State vs. Carolina (7pm, ESPN) - NC State at UNC. Enough said.

30 Rock (8pm, NBC) - Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan, right) embarks on a protest to defend the world's morons, while Jack's feud with Devin Banks continues. In another episode at 8:30, Liz and Jack grapple over her contract negotiations.

Big Bang Theory (8pm, CBS) - Leonard and Penny give dating another try, while Raj begins a rather unorthodox relationship with the Siri app on his phone.

The Finder (9pm, Fox) - A NASA scientist needs help finding a woman he met in a bar who left behind one red stiletto, but Walter's search for the matching shoe doesn't come without personal risk.

Project Runway All Stars (9pm,  Lifetime) - The designers must race aginst time to create flashy designs for model Miranda Kerr. Diane von Furstenberg makes an appearance.

Russell Simmons Presents the Ruckus (10pm, Comedy Central) - In the premiere of this new stand-up series, host JB Smoove tries to get Russell Simmons' phone number and introduces fellow comedians Owen Smith, Kareem Green and Capone.

What to Watch on Thursday: FX animation and Grammer returns to '30 Rock'

30 Rock (8pm, NBC) - Liz is forced to do damage control when a crude rant by Tracy leaks on the Internet. Also, Kenneth and Jenna once again enlist Kelsey Grammer (playing himself) to help with a problem.

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Bonnie is reunited with her estranged mother, and Klaus negotiates with Stefan to control the coffins of his family members.

Parks & Recreation (8:30pm, NBC) - Leslie and Ben clash while working on her first campaign ad. Elsewhere, Chris tries to befriend Ron, making Ron very uncomfortable. Paul Rudd guest stars as the candidate challenging Leslie.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - Jane investigates the death of a mob boss's son, and Van Pelt is haunted by memories of O'Laughlin's shooting. NOTE: This follows the Boston College vs. NCSU basketball game on WRAL. If the game goes over, "The Mentalist" will be joined in progress. This also means CBS's 8 p.m. through 10 p.m. shows ("Big Bang Theory," "Rob" and "Person of Interest") will be preempted. Here's the basic rule of thumb for finding your shows whenever this happens with WRAL programming.

American Stuffers (10pm, Animal Planet) - This bizarre series follows a family of taxidermists in Romance, Arkansas. Tonight, a job to preserve a Chihuahua comes with a thinly veiled threat from the deceased dog's owner, who may or may not be joking.

Archer (10pm, FX) - In the Season 3 premiere, Sterling is upset when he learns that Mallory is dating his hero (and man-crush) Burt Reynolds, who provides his own voice. He's more upset about that than he is about the fact that a Cuban hit squad is out to get him.

Unsupervised (10:30pm, FX) - A new animated comedy about two teen best friends with no parental supervision. In tonight's premiere, Gary and Joel want to hook up with girls but realize that they're considered just kids, so they set out to change their image.

What to Watch on Thursday: '30 Rock' returns, West Memphis Three doc hits HBO

30 Rock (8pm, NBC) - Season 6 is back as the TGS gang returns to work after the holiday break. Liz adopts a new mindset and Jenna gains newfound fame as a hateful celebrity judge. Meanwhile, Kenneth takes a day off to ready for the Rapture.

Rob! (8:30pm, CBS) - A new sitcom starring "Saturday Night Live" alum Rob Schneider playing a confirmed bachelor who has just married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family.

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (9pm, HBO) - The much-anticipated third part in the documentary series following the conviction of the West Memphis Three -- three teenagers from Jonesboro, Arkansas, who were found guilty of murdering three young boys in 1993, but whom most believe to be innocent of the crimes. In this installment, the legal teams fight to overturn the sentences using changes in witness testimony and DNA evidence that was not available at the original trial. Note: The three men entered Alford pleas in the case and were released from prison in August 2011, after this film was completed. Filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky amended the documentary with footage from the release.

The Finder (9pm, Fox) - In the premiere of a new series about an eccentric, reclusive veteran with an uncanny gift for finding people and things, a teen asks Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults) to locate his father, who went missing after his plane crashed in the Florida wilderness. Based on "The Locator" novels by Richard Greener. Check out Adrienne's review.

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - The episode information simply says "Reese and Finch involve Carter in a case," so I guess that means Reese survived his gunshot wounds from the previous episode...

Have You Heard from Johannesburg (2am, UNC-TV) - This is a five-part Independent Lens series tracing the anti-Apartheid movement, which UNC-TV is not only showing at bizarre times but apparently also a little out of order. This is the best I can figure out: tonight you get Part 2, "The New Generation" (which also airs at midnight on 1/15 on UNC-MX). Part 1, "The Road to Resistance," airs 1/15 at 11 p.m. on UNC-MX. Part 3, "From Selma to Soweto," airs on 1/21 at 11:30 p.m. on UNC-MX. Part 4, "The Bottom Line," airs the day before, 1/20, at 2 a.m. on UNC-TV and again on 1/22 at 12:30 a.m. on UNC-MX. The final part, "Free at Last," airs on 1/27 at 2 a.m. on UNC-TV and again on 1/28 at 11 p.m. on UNC-MX. Clear?

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Community' gets 'Lost,' '30 Rock' ends season

Community (8pm, NBC) - In the first part of the show's two-part season finale, the students play paintball during a campus picnic. But the competition quickly becomes heated and the emergence of a mysterious man (Josh Holloway, aka Sawyer from 'Lost') signals a change in the game.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Someone is eliminated, but not before judge Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull, and country group Lady Antebellum all perform.

Parks and Recreation (9pm, NBC) - Leslie's ex-best friend (Parker Posey) launches an attack on Pawnee, banning residents from visiting a nearby park in the neighboring city of Eagleton.

Thoroughbred (9:30pm, UNC-TV) - A documentary that explores the world of thoroughbred horses during the year leading up to the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Features looks at grooms, jockeys, trainers, owners, and breeders.

30 Rock (10pm, NBC) - In the Season 5 finale, the 'TGS' gang are ready for summer vacation. Liz lands in the Hamptons for rest and relaxation, but then Tracy moves in next door. Also, lonely Jack latches onto Kenneth for company.

Running Wilde (10pm, FX) - Do you miss Will Arnett's canceled Fox sitcom 'Running Wilde?' Me neither. But they're showing the last unaired episodes anyway -- on FX every Thursday night at 10pm. They actually started last week, but if you missed that one, looks like it's repeating at 10:30 right after tonight's episode -- in which Emmy gets Migo involved when she champions immigrant rights, and this tests Migo's loyalty to Steve.

'30 Rock' and Aaron Sorkin's Plan B

A funny (and extremely meta) clip from last night's episode of '30 Rock' featuring Aaron Sorkin and Tina Fey. Sorkin not only created 'West Wing' and won an Oscar for his screenplay of 'Social Network,' but also created the failed (too strong?) NBC drama 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' -- which like '30 Rock,' was  about the production of a weekly comedy sketch show. Hilarious use of the "walk and talk" here:

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