NOTE: Primetime lineups are subject to change in the event of Hurricane Sandy special programming.

Raising Hope (8pm, Fox) - Burt scouts out a gay bar when Jimmy is invited to meet Sabrina's friend and his partner, but Virginia wonders why her husband has started spending so much time there, so she decides to find out for herself on Halloween.

Ellen DeGeneres: The Mark Twain Prize (8pm, UNC-TV) - Ellen DeGeneres is honored with the 15th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Among those paying tribute, Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Harvey, Sean Hayes, Jimmy Kimmel and Lily Tomlin.

Ben and Kate (8:30pm, Fox) - BJ helps Kate find a costume to wear to an attractive neighbor's Halloween party. Meanwhile, Ben and Tommy stay home and hand out candy in hopes of meeting women, but the evening takes a wild turn when Tommy accidentally eats some of BJ's "special" candy from Amsterdam.

Happy Endings (9pm, ABC) - Dave and Alex's inability to commit to a new apartment proves to be quite a challenge for their real estate agent, while Jane pulls out all the stops when she takes Penny car shopping.

Emily Owens, M.D. (9pm, CW) - Emily talks about safe sex to some girls at a local high school, and tries to forget about her feelings for Will.

Frontline: Big Sky, Big Money (10pm, UNC-TV) - How the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case, which prohibited restrictions on the amounts of money that outside groups may spend to promote or oppose political candidates and causes, is affecting the senatorial race in Montana. The special also shows how the Obama and Romney campaigns use data analytics to increase voter turnout and shape the election.

The New Normal (10:30pm, NBC) - Bryan basks in the Halloween spirit by decorating the house, going to a pumpkin patch to spot celebrities and ruling over everyone's costumes. David finally rebels when Bryan insists on having a Honey Boo Boo theme.

Jake Foushee, the deep-voiced internet sensation from Mebane, is in Los Angeles today taping a segment for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The episode featuring 14-year-old Jake will air tomorrow.

Jake's YouTube videos, where he does a spot-on impression of the late Don LaFontaine (aka "The Movie Trailer King") and Optimus Prime from "Transformers," have brought him worldwide attention. He has been featured in news articles in the UK and appeared on "Good Morning America" last week.

"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" airs locally on NBC-17 at 4 p.m.

Click below to watch Jake's segment on last week's GMA show (suffer through the ads because it's really cute).

Calling all Ellen DeGeneres fans!

We've got two copies of Ellen's new book "Seriously...I'm Kidding," her third book and certain to give you a chuckle or two.

And if you like Ellen, but you don't really read. We can still help. We also have the unabridged audiobook, which Ellen reads. It's three hours, long enough for a good road trip or a couple of trips through the carpool line.

If you're interested, just send an email to ajohnson@newsobserver.com with "I want the book" or "I want to listen" in the subject line by 8 tonight (10/20).

We'll randomly choose a winner.

Christmas in Washington (8pm, TNT) - Ellen DeGeneres hosts the 29th annual gala from the National Building Museum in D.C.  Performers include Mariah Carey, Miranda Cosgrove, Annie Lennox, Andrea Bocelli, Maxwell, and Matthew Morrison. The president and his family were in attendance at the event, which was taped on December 12.

Frosty the Snowman (8:30pm, CBS) - The Frosty classic is at 8:30 ("Yes, Virginia" precedes at 8pm) and "Frosty Returns" airs at 9pm. Frosty lovers will want to check out our special Frosty giveaway.

Modern Marvels (9pm, History) - Featured tonight: things that are still made in America. Should be a short program.

I Get That A Lot (9:30pm, CBS) - Highlights from past editions of the show in which celebrities assume ordinary jobs in order to puzzle civilians. Featured: Heidi Klum working the counter at a pizza joint and Paris Hilton pumping gas.

Sanctuary (10pm, Syfy) - The team goes to Tibet in search of the hidden city, which is rigged with deadly security measures. Back at the Sanctuary, Adam admonishes Tesla and Druitt for letting Magnus go to the city without him.

Our favorite guest blogger Lenni G wraps up the season:

Now people, this was a FINALE!!!!
 
It had a huge opening featuring the top contestants and All Stars.  Even injured Alex Wong was back, albeit in a chair.
 
It had seven judges - Nigel, Mia, Adam, Tyce Diorio, Stacey Tookey, Kenny Ortega AND, fresh off the Hot Tamale Train, Mary Murphy.
 

Ellen is out.

After just one season as judge on "American Idol," Fox has confirmed that daytime talk host Ellen DeGeneres is leaving the show.

Ellen says "Idol" never felt like the right fit for her and that she didn't like judging people and hurting their feelings. Ellen came to the show last season to replace Paula Abdul, and to be honest, there was much criticism of her contribution.

And now blogs are buzzing with rumors that singer/actress Jennifer Lopez has already agreed to take Ellen's place. Fox will neither confirm nor deny the rumors, so stay tuned.

Simon Cowell is also not returning to "Idol" so only Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardio remains.

UPDATE: Kara DioGuardio has reportedly also been fired from "American Idol," making Randy Jackson the only original "Idol" judge.

UPDATE: People Magazine reports that J-Lo has signed on to be a judge next season on "Idol," citing sources close to the show. TMZ says that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler may also join the show.

Ellen's Somewhat Special Special (9pm, TBS) - Ellen Degeneres hosts a variety show featuring everyone from musicians to magicians. Recorded at the 2010 Just For Laughs festival in Chicago.

Daytime Emmy Awards (9pm, CBS) - Regis Philbin hosts the 37th annual Daytime Emmy Awards honoring soaps, daytime talk shows, children's shows, and other daytime programming. TV legend Dick Clark is honored in a tribute that includes Ann-Margret,  Frankie Avalon, Garth Brooks, Cher, Barry Manilow, and Marie Osmond.

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - Sookie goes to Mississippi looking for Bill after Eric gets a werewolf to protect her and Jason looks toward a career in law enforcement.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band London Calling (9pm, VH1 Classic) - Bruce and the band play in London's Hyde Park at Hard Rock Calling Festival on June 28, 2009.

Hung (10pm, HBO) - In the second season premiere, Tanya gets pimping advice from a professional to use as leverage in her partnership with Ray and Lenore. "Entourage" debuts Season 7 immediately after, at 10:30.

Team Coco Presents Conan's Writers Live (10pm, TBS) - Andy Richter hosts a special featuring several of Conan O'Brien's writers, and a musical performance by comedian Reggie Watts. Recorded at the 2010 Just For Laughs festival in Chicago.

The Gates (10pm, ABC) - Nick investigates the death of the former police chief of The Gates, and vampiress Claire wants to put the past behind her.

Ellen DeGeneres is cold. Even though Tracy Morgan apparently has a shark tank in his house (what the ...??), Ellen took a gamble that she could still scare the poo out of him with a stealthy land shark attack on the set of her show. Ellen probably had to give Tracy another pair of her signature Ellen Underwear before he left. Check it out:

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The auditions are over and the real show finally begins. The lucky contestants arrive in Hollywood to begin grueling rehearsals, and Ellen Degeneres joins the team as the fourth judge. There have already been rumors that she and Simon Cowell are clashing. Boy, I hope that probably-totally-true-rumor doesn't hurt the show's ratings (eye roll). 

Lost (9pm, ABC) - Kate is on the run and Jack must do something that will jeopardize a friend.

Past Life (9pm, Fox) - A new series in which people who are haunted by "past-life" events are helped by a psychologist and an ex-police detective played by Nicholas Bishop (right). The first episode involves a teenager who is troubled by memories of an abduction and murder which took place before his birth. To solve the case, the detective must first figure out who the teen was in his past life. Hey, anyone remember "The Reincarnation of Peter Proud?"

The Good Wife (10pm, CBS) - Alicia must defend a man accused of murdering a babysitter while she and the family await the results of Peter's appeals hearing.

The Jay Leno Show (10pm, NBC) - The good news is this is the last episode of NBC's awful primetime Jay Leno experiment. The bad news is, well, we all know what that is. 

It's official: At today's meeting with Fox executives at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, sharp-tongued "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell confirmed he's leaving the show after this season, according to the L.A. Times.

His departure, he said, is part of a deal to put his show "The X Factor" on Fox in fall 2011.

The show's a bit hit in England (that's where Susan Boyle made her mark), and as part of that deal he is leaving his duties on "Idol."