The main event tonight will be election returns. Here's a guide to what the various networks are offering in that regard. If you aren't interested in the democratic process that defines our nation, that's cool. There are a few other options.

Hard Time (9pm, National Geographic Channel) - In this reality program about prison life, a woman who acts as a maternal figure to other inmates loses her transportation job after officers find a suspicious item inside her cell. 

Sons of Anarchy (10pm, FX) - Jax (Charlie Hunnam, right) must overcome obstacles in his search for the truth about Clay's actions within SAMCRO.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Annie and Eyal track down an important asset who has vanished from protective custody.

Underemployed (10pm, MTV) - Lou and Raviva argue about money, and Sophia receives a visit from her parents. Also, Miles' impulsiveness makes Daphne nervous.

Total Blackout (10pm, Syfy) - Contestants must guess the height of contortionists, and also transfer creatures from tank to tank and navigate a surprise-filled maze.

NC Gubernatorial Debate (7pm) - The second gubernatorial debate will air live on UNC-TV, WRAL, WTVD and WNCN (NBC-17) tonight. News 14 Carolina will broadcast the debate on delay at 8 p.m.

Hart of Dixie (8pm, CW) - Zoe discovers an error about herself in her alumni magazine, so she invites the reporter to town to set the record straight.

Raising Hope (8pm, Fox) - The Chances' plot to spring Maw Maw from a nursing home hits a snag when Virginia begins to wonder if she'll receive better care there than at home.

Ben and Kate (8:30pm, Fox) - Ben (Nat Faxon, left) throws a party to celebrate Kate's 21st birthday and invites her high-school friend Molly to the bash. Kate (Dakota Johnson, left) is only 21. That explains a lot.

Presidential Debate (9pm) - The second debate between President Barack Obama and former Massachusettes governor Mitt Romney airs on ABC, CBS, NBC, UNC-TV, C-SPAN, Fox, Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.

Emily Owens, M.D. (9pm, CW) - In this new CW drama, Emily Owens, an awkward first-year intern at Denver Memorial Hospital, tries to balance work with romance. Tonight, Emily (Mamie Gummer) begins her internship and discovers her old high school nemesis working there, as well as a guy she had a crush on in high school. Adrienne reviews.

Sons of Anarchy (10pm, FX) - Jax presents a dangerous proposal to the club.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Auggie, Joan and Arthur call on an old friend to help free Annie from prison in Russia.

Flipping Out (10pm, Bravo) - Jeff and Zoila clash over her work responsibilities, so much so that Jeff considers firing her. Elsewhere, Jeff's client suspects her house is haunted, so Jeff spends a night there to prove her wrong.

Democratic National Convention - The Democrats get down to business in Charlotte. Just like the Republican party in Tampa, the wall-to-wall coverage will be online and on cable news channels. The broadcast networks start coverage at 10 p.m., and PBS (UNC-TV locally) has coverage starting at 7 p.m. Tonight's highlights include a speech by First Lady Michelle Obama. Here's the full rundown of what the networks and cable outlets have planned.  

Hell's Kitchen (8pm, Fox) - The two finalists are chosen and must create one last dinner service menu, to be judged by a panel of world-renowned chefs.

Flipping Out (9pm, Bravo) - The DNC gets the headline but one of my very favorite reality shows gets the photo. In tonight's Season 6 premiere, tension rises between Gage and Jeff (at right, with dozing Monkey Stewie) over the revamping of their dream home, and the drama escalates when Jeff buys a new house without consulting with Gage. Elsewhere, Jenni throws an engagement party to introduce her new fiance. Also this season, Jeff will hire a new assistant (Andrew) to help pick up some of Jenni's slack, and he has some some pretty serious clashes with his longtime housekeeper (and mother figure), Zoila.

Coma (9pm, A&E) - The miniseries concludes tonight.

MasterChef (9pm, Fox) - The three remaining hopefuls must create a dish that best embodies their personality and passion for food.

Beverly Hills Nannies (9pm, ABC Family) - In the first season finale, Maggie's drinking gets her in trouble, and Justin and Amanda fear they're in over their heads at a baptism party.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Arthur is determined to bring in Simon after discovering Jai was investigating him before his death. Annie, hoping to protect Simon, offers to bring him in herself.

Chicago Trauma (10pm, National Geographic Channel) - A series following young doctors at Chicago's Cook County Hospital, home to one of the busiest trauma units in the United States.

Republican National Convention - Primetime convention coverage on broadcast networks begins at 10 p.m. tonight. If you want wall-to-wall coverage, your best bet is to head online or to cable. Tonight's highlights include speeches from Ann Romney, Govs. Chris Christie (N.J.), Bobby Jindal (La.) and Bob McDonnell (Va.), former senator Rick Santorum. Here's much more information about RNC viewing.

Pretty Little Liars (8pm, ABC Family) - In the summer season finale, Maya's murder trial gets underway, and Emily can't withstand the media attention surrounding it. "A" then extends an olive branch to the girls, who are skeptical about the sincerity of this offer.

MasterChef (9pm, Fox) - Four hopefuls remain, and they're forced to work in teams of two to prepare a gourmet meal for three world-renowned chefs: Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy. The losing team must face off in a tense souffle test to earn a spot in the Top 3.

Mysteries at the Museum (9pm, Travel) - New England museums are spotlighted. Included, a look at a dress that is linked to a purported alien encounter.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Annie goes to Cuba with Simon in order to gain more information about his affairs, but she doesn't have any backup from the CIA during the trip.

Collection Intervention (10pm, Syfy) - A couple shares a one-bedroom apartment with a dog and ... thirty thousand comic books.

Hotel Hell (8pm, Fox) - In the conclusion to last night's series premiere, Gordon Ramsay sides with Juniper Inn staffers against their sketchy boss -- who he actually catches in a blatant lie.

Rizzoli & Isles (9pm, TNT) - Jane and Maura investigate when a dead woman is found inside a broken statue. Meanwhile, a new homicide detective arrives and Dennis Rockmond returns to woo Maura.

L.A. Complex (9pm, CW) - Abby's love life becomes complicated and Nick's night out with the guys leaves Sabrina feeling scorned.

Inside Fenway Park: An Icon at 100 (10pm, UNC-TV) - The centennial of the oldest and smallest MLB ballpark in the U.S. -- as well as an important public space for the city of Boston -- is celebrated in this documentary, which includes a look at different uses of the park over the years: for soldier masses during WWI, for the 1918 Irish Republican rally, for FDR's final campaign speech, and for a variety of concerts. The film uses a recent Red Sox-Yankees game as a thread to the history of the ballpark and as a way to go inside a major league baseball game.

Collection Intervention (10pm, Syfy) - Syfy's spin on hoarding focuses on people who take "collecting" (like "Star Wars" obsessives) to a ridiculous level. Adrienne has a review.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Annie and Eyal look for the source of a leak in Israel after an Iranian missile is found to contain secret American technology.

Our America with Lisa Ling (10pm, OWN) - Ling reports on men who were wrongly convicted. Her interview includes the story of a daughter who fights for justice for her father, who is on death row.

History Detectives (8pm, UNC-TV) - Two new episodes tonight. In the first, a matched set of Civil War-era pistols and a 78 RPM records from KKK Records (oh, lovely) with song titles too grotesque to even type here. On the second episode at 9, country singer Clint Black learns about an old book of wanted posters that he owns. Also, a chunk of molten metal that may be from a B-25 bomber that crashed into the Empire State Building in 1945.

Jane by Design (9pm, ABC Family) - Donovan Decker needs help closing the Harrods deal, so Jane heads to London to convince Jeremy to return to work. Meanwhile, Billy attempts to reconcile with Zoe.

Rizzoli & Isles (9pm, TNT) - Jane and Maura investigate when a bride is murdered right before her nuptials. Elsewhere, Jane's new neighbor drawns the attention of Angela, Frankie and Frost.

New York Med (10pm, ABC) - A woman with cystic fibrosis needs new lungs and and ER nurse makes a startling personal decision after hearing an elderly couple's story about their 65-year marriage.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Auggie visits Parker in Africa but runs into trouble during his trip, prompting Annie, Joan and Lena to team up to bring him home.

Haunted Highway (10pm, Syfy) - Spectral dogs are sought in Nevada and a search for a demon unfolds in Georgia.

Pretty Little Liars (8pm, ABC Family) - Aria and Emily search for "A" at Jenna's lavish birthday party. Meanwhile, Spencer keeps an eye on Garrett, who's out of jail visiting his sick mother.

Frontline: Endgame - AIDS in Black America (9pm, UNC-TV) - Frontline looks at the story of the AIDS epidemic within America's black community, which accounts for almost half of all HIV/AIDS cases in the country. The story is told through the experiences of people who have the virus or are fighting to contain it, including Magic Johnson, Julian Bond, pastors, health care workers  and young men born with the virus.

White Collar (9pm, USA) - In the Season 4 premiere, Peter tries to find Neal (Matt Bomer, right) on a remote island before a bounty hunter finds him first.

Trust Us with Your Life (9pm, ABC) - Highlights from Serena Williams' life are comically re-created in the series premiere of a show featuring celebrities reminiscing about pivotal life moments. Those moments are then acted out by improv artists.  Jack and Kelly Osbourne get the same treatment in an episode at 9:30. Fred Willard hosts, and you'll see some of the same improv faces (like Wayne Brady) you've seen on "Whose Line is It Anyway?" The improvisors often have to "Glee Club It," which means they have to suddenly break out in song.

NY Med (10pm, ABC) - The premiere of an eight-part documentary series following the staff and patients at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. In tonight's installment, Dr. Mehmet Oz arranges a reunion between a patient and his ex-wife, and a woman with a brain tumor undergoes a risky surgery. Also, have you ever wondered what they do when someone takes a Cialis or Viagra and their "situation" doesn't go away after 4 hours? You'll find out tonight. It involves needles. Warning: This show is crazy addictive.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - A tragedy leaves the agents shaken and in unfamiliar territory in the Season 3 premiere.

A Michael Bublé Christmas (8pm, NBC) - Singer Michael Bublé presides over a holiday variety show featuring Justin Bieber, Kellie Pickler (left), Thalia, Tracy Morgan, Ed Helms, the Puppini Sisters, and Naturally 7.

A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas! (8pm, Turner Classic Movies) - A look at holiday-themed movies and behind the scenes info and interviews with Chevy Chase, Margaret O'Brien, Chaz Palminteri, Zack Ward, and Brian Henson.

On thin Ice: Into the Arctic (9pm, Animal Planet) - Explorer Bruce Parry examines the lives and cultures of people living above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, Siberia and Greenland, and how they are adapting to a changing world.

New Girl (9pm, Fox) - I'm trying to start a movement to get this show renamed "Schmidt" and the focus of it altered accordingly. Tonight, Schmidt weasels his way into his boss's baby shower to compete with his office female counterpart. This will be way funnier than anything Jess is doing tonight.

Raising Hope (9:30pm, Fox) - Jimmy and his coworker Frank realize they were both bullied by the same guy in high school, but their plot go get revenge on him doesn't work out like they'd hoped.

Sons of Anarchy (10pm, FX) - In the fourth season finale, Jax (Charlie Hunnan, right) must overcome major obstacles to complete the gun deal with the Irish and the cartel.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - In the Season 2 finale, Annie and Danielle's vacation in Stockholm turns dangerous when Danielle is mistaken for a spy, putting her life in jeopardy.

Moonshiners (10pm, Discovery) - The premiere of a new reality series chronicling the adventures of those who illegally distill their own moonshine deep in Appalachia and the local authorities who pursue them. They throw in a little history of the bootleg whiskey tradition from the 1790's through the origins of NASCAR, and the first few episodes feature some clips of Popcorn Sutton (read more about the series). Another episode airs Wednesday night at 10, the regular timeslot for subsequent episodes.

Vietnam in HD (9pm, History) - This three-part series explores the history of the Vietnam War that includes restored rare footage. Part one begins with the arrival of U.S. Combat forces in 1965 and the Battle of Ia Drang.

Raising Hope (9:30pm, Fox) - A 13-year-old kid's obsession with Sabrina drives Jimmy nuts, and Burt and Virginia wonder how to get Maw Maw's gold tooth back after she swallows it.

All Access Nashville (10pm, ABC) - Robin Roberts visits with a bunch of country music stars, including Scotty McCreery, who Roberts spent time with in Garner. She also talks to Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, and Keith Urban, in addition to Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland, who are interviewed at the site of August's Indiana stage-collapse tragedy.

Parenthood (10pm, NBC) - Seth stays with Amber after his release from rehab, but the arrangement soon wears on her. (If someone had told me in previous seasons that Amber would one day be my favorite character on this show, I'd have questioned their sanity). Also, Crosby worries about Jabbar having a new father figure when Jasmine gets serious with her boyfriend. (If someone had told me last season that I'd still be hating Jasmine this season, I'd have totally believed them).

Sons of Anarchy (10pm, FX) - Jax and Tara taste life after SAMCRO but discover just how hard it is to really escape it.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - Annie tries to turn a money launderer's wife (Nina Kronjager) into a CIA asset while hunting down her husband. But the woman catches Annie following her and demands to meet with Arthur, whom she met when she was a Stasi agent.

Dancing with the Stars (9pm, ABC) - Tonight's results show includes performances by Justin Bieber, Boyz II Men, and Christina Perri.

New Girl (9pm, Fox) - This show is back tonight after a few weeks off, and I'm sad to admit I didn't miss it a bit. Tonight: Nick lands a date with an attractive coworker (Lake Bell) but then Jess (Zooey Deschanel, left) accidentally walks in on him naked and her laughter kills his self-confidence. As I'm sure it would for anyone.

Raising Hope (9:30pm, Fox) - While camped out on the lawn due to a termite infestation, the Chances learn that Hope unveiled a violent streak at day care, and now they're afraid she inherited her mother's serial-killer gene.

Parenthood (10pm, NBC) - Kristina plans a family night that doesn't go as expected, and Crosby worries he'll be replaced by Jasmine's new boyfriend.

Covert Affairs (10pm, USA) - In the winter premiere, Annie feels lonely during some downtime following a failed mission in Venice.

Ultimate Factories (10pm, National Geographic Channel) - The Season 5 opener visits a BMW plant in South Carolina for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the X3.