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What to Watch on Wednesday: The night's finales include 'Idol' and 'Revenge'

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The winning singer -- Jessica Sanchez vs. Phillip Phillips -- is revealed. Performers tonight include Rihanna and Aerosmith. Also, last season's winner Scotty McCreery will also be in attendance.

The Middle (8pm, ABC) - In the third season finale, Mike's brother plans to get married at the Hecks' home, but he doesn't run the idea past them first.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - The Season 3 finale has Jay and Manny helping Lily get ready for a dance recital and Alex going to her first prom. Also, Haley announces her future plans, which come as a shock to her family.

Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 (9:30pm, ABC) - This first short season ends with June desperately trying to keep pace with Chloe's hard-partying ways. And James is furious when he discovers that Dean Cain's "Dancing with the Stars" dressing room is larger than his.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - In tonight's explosive season finale, Emily tackles the final stages of her plan while the Graysons continue to self-destruct. And from the looks of this photo from ABC, Emily and Nolan are going to have to get out of crazy mess at some point (glad to see Nolan is alive!).

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - In the 13th season finale, an underage escort is murdered at an upper-crust bachelor party, and the detectives are cautioned to be discreet because of the names on guest list.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Revenge' looks back to 2002

Nature: The White Lions (8pm, UNC-TV) - The experiences of two white lion cub sisters in South Africa's Kruger National Park are chronicled. Due to their inability to blend in with their surroundings, the critters face a tougher life than their tawny kin.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Oh no, another travel episode. The entire Pritchett family goes to Disneyland.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - An episode set in 2002 focuses on a young, reckless Amanda before she transformed into Emily. Nolan persuades her to read her dad's journals, which serve as a catalyst for her to spy on the Graysons and develop a plan to get justice for her father.

CSI (10pm, CBS) - The 12th season concludes with the CSIs investigating the murders of three people whose bodies are found a few blocks away from the site of a campaign dinner.

Around the World in 80 Plates (10pm, Bravo) - A new reality series in which twelve chefs compete in a globe-spanning culinary race. The premiere episode's destination is London, where players learn about regional food culture and participate in a pub crawl. Nigella Lawson appears.

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - Detectives investigate a string of hate crimes against gay men, and the victims include the new fiance of Fin's son.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Revenge' returns with prison blues

Nova: Why Ships Sink (9pm, UNC-TV) - The safety of cruise ships is investigated, including the 2012 sinking of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy, the 2007 sinking of the Sea Diamond near the Greek island of Santorini, and the 1991 sinking of the Oceanos off the coast of South Africa.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Claire helps Luke face the death of an older neighbor and Phil and Alex have a father-daughter bonding experience. Also, Cameron's father visits.

Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 (9:30pm, ABC) - June reluctantly agrees to let Chloe set her up on a date, and James Van Der Beek teaches an acting class. If you were on the fence after Episode 1, watch this one before you give up.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - After a long break, "Revenge" is back! Tonight, Daniel's imprisonment sends Victoria to depths that no one thought possible, but an old beau unexpectedly reenters her life to provide a destructive but welcome distraction. Elsewhere, Jack's quest to locate Amanda takes on an added urgency when he becomes a murder suspect. That Hamptons jail is going to get crowded...

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (10pm, NBC) - A man witnesses his wife's rape and kidnapping while video chatting with her on his way home from a business trip. The abductors seek a ransom, and the case grows more complicated as the detectives probe deeper. Chloe Sevigny guest stars.

American Weed (10pm, NGC) - A cancer patient who uses medical marijuana to deal with health problems is profiled. Meanwhile, the only dispensary in Castle Rock, Colorado, is at risk of being shut down.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'The B in Apartment 23.' Trust me.

Nova: Deadliest Tornadoes (9pm, UNC-TV) - A look at the science behind the April 2011 tornado outbreak in the U.S., which saw more than 360 people killed from hundreds of twisters.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - All ABC comedies are back tonight. It's election day on "Modern Family," so the Dunphys are all campaigning and Claire has technical problems during last-minute interviews. Be sure to stay tuned for ...

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (9:30pm, ABC) - A very funny new sitcom about an optimistic girl from the midwest who moves to New York and finds herself a roommates who "has the morals of a pirate." The best part (and there are many wonderful parts) is the evil roomie's best friend is James Van Der Beek, playing himself. Check out my review.

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - A closed rape case of Benson's is reopened because of its similarities to a new case, and the possibility of wrongful imprisonment surfaces. As Benson's work is questioned, tension develops between her, ADA Haden and Bayard Ellis.

CSI (10pm, CBS) - A man Nick helped  put in prison gets his conviction overturned and will be released, unless the CSIs can uncover new evidence to prove he is guilty.

Psych (10pm, USA) - In the Season 6 finale, Gus and Henry reopen a murder investigation when the victim's body finally surfaces after 20 years.  

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - There's no new "Revenge" tonight, but there is a recap special.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Modern Family' sends out a clown

Survivor: One World (8pm, CBS) - No chance tonight's episode is as bat-poo crazy as last week, with Colton's stunning tribal council move. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Cameron has a reunion with his estranged clown partner at a funeral for their former mentor, and Phil gets bullied by a real estate rival when he tries to land an important listing. All the ABC comedies are new tonight. "Happy Endings" is always especially joyous.

Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis (9pm, Bravo) - In this spin-off of "Flipping Out,"  Jeff Lewis revamps homes while also trying to transform the personal lives of the people who live in them. Also stars Jeff's assistant Jenni Poulos and his housekeeper Zoila Chavez.

Criminal Minds (9pm, CBS) - Married couples living in Seattle are murdered. Meanwhile, Garcia fears a proposal from Kevin is imminent.

Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy (9pm, History) - Larry profiles folks committed to catching various animals and critters. Among his stops is a visit with a man who uses GPS-enhanced dogs to track feral pigs.

Psych (10pm, USA) - Shawn and Gus go undercover to investigate an attack on a reality-TV contestant who appeared on a dating show in which men compete for the affections of a woman they've crossed paths with, but never actually met.

Face Off (10pm, Syfy) - In the Season 2 finale, the three finalists must each create three original characters from a specific genre that will perform in a routine at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Spring Smackdown on 'Happy Endings'

Nature: Ocean Giants (8pm, UNC-TV) - A three-hour special on the underwater world of whales and dolphins. Included, the human-like qualities of the animals and their reliance on sound underwater.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Contestants have one last chance to win over the judges before the first group of semifinalists are revealed.

Raising Renee (8pm, HBO) - NCCU professor Beverly McIver tells her story of caring for her mentally disabled sister. Adrienne's review.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Gloria learns a secret that Claire has been hiding, and one of Jay's proudest golf moments is ruined by Mitchell.

Happy Endings (9:30pm, ABC) - The end of winter signals  "Spring Smackdown," when Jane (Eliza Coupe, right) and Brad (Damon Wayans Jr., right) have their annual domestic dispute.

Royal Pains (10pm, USA) - Hank struggles to accept Jack's illness in the Season 3 finale, and Evan joins Boris' cousin to look into an experimental treatment.

American Weed (10pm, National Geographic Channel) - A new short series that takes an in-depth look at Colorado's medical marijuana industry. Tonight's episode profiles Fort Collins dispensary owners who face the possibility of having their businesses shut down should voters approve Proposition 300.

CSI (10pm, CBS) - The CSIs investigate when a house is stolen from its foundation. Also, Julie displays her skills in blood analysis.

Note: No new "Revenge" tonight.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Go deep inside 'Raccoon Nation'

Nature: Raccoon Nation (8pm, UNC-TV) - A look at urban raccoons, which are commonplace in big cities like Toronto, New York and Chicago. Night-vision cameras and radio collars provide a glimpse of the raccoon lifestyle, and there's also a look at the damage the critters have done in Japan, where they were imported as pets during the 1970s. Includes comments from a biologist who believes city life is making raccoons even smarter (they will rule us one day!). I know they can be destructive, but man, how adorable are they???

Person to Person (8pm, CBS) - In this revival of CBS's iconic primetime interview show, Charlie Rose and Lara Logan, both of the new "CBS This Morning" (which is very good, by the way), interview newsmakers in their homes and workplaces. Tonight's interviews are with George Clooney, Warren Buffett, and Jon Bon Jovi.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The Hollywood Round begins. Finally.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Phil's preoccupation with a business opportunity blinds him to his new partner's inappropriate behavior around Claire.

Duke at North Carolina (9pm, WRAL) - You may not have heard anything about this, but it's happening. If you miss your normal CBS shows, WRAL will air "Criminal Minds" at 2 a.m. and "CSI: NY" at 3 a.m., which is a little different from their normal rebroadcast schedule. 

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - Birdies tell me some pivotal stuff goes down tonight, so pay attention. It may have something to do with the visit from Conrad's father, played by William Devane. Or it may not.

L&O: SVU (10pm, NBC) - Harry Connick Jr. is back. That is all.

What to Watch on Wednesday: New 'Nova' season and a healthier Deen

Nova: Deadliest Volcanos (9pm, UNC-TV) - The season premiere looks at the work of scientists who are studying active volcanoes in an attempt to learn how likely they are to erupt, when eruptions might happen, and how deadly they could be.

Not My Mama's Meals (9pm, Cooking) - Bobby Deen (son of Paula) prepares more healthful versions of his mother's decadent recipes. In the opener, Bobby makes a fresh fruit-bread pudding and a frozen chocolate pie.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Manny's dad (Benjamin Bratt) pays another surprise visit, this time to take his son to the racetrack as a belated birthday present. Meanwhile, Phil starts to get his affairs in order after a doctor's appointment coincides with the end of his lifetime supply of razors.

Happy Endings (9:30pm, ABC) - Dave has a tough time wrapping his head around the fact that Penny is dating his psychiatrist, and Jane and Max get into a competition testing their vanity when they see who can go the longest wearing an unflattering outfit.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - A party crasher causes havoc at Daniel's small birthday gathering, and Conrad and Victoria use Charlotte as they delve deeper into their bitter divorce.

'Modern Family' and 'Dexter' get SAG nominations

The Screen Actors Guild announced their annual award nominations this morning and the ABC sitcom "Modern Family" leads the TV category with five nods. Raleigh native Michael C. Hall (left) was nominated for his starring role in "Dexter." Hall won the SAG Award for playing serial killer Dexter Morgan in January 2010. "Dexter" was also nominated today for Best Drama Series Ensemble.

One glaring omission from the SAG list is Showtime's excellent new drama, "Homeland," which is filmed in Charlotte. Claire Danes are Damien Lewis are both terrific in that show. There's always next year.

The SAG Awards Show will be broadcast on January 29, on TBS and TNT.

See more SAG television nominations below:

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Happy Endings' for Christmas

The X-Factor (8pm, Fox) - The competition is down to the final five acts.

Harry's Law (9pm, NBC) - Harry, Oliver, and Cassie defend a mother accused of euthanizing her infant son who had an incurable debilitating disorder.

Becoming Santa (9pm, OWN) - An unjolly guy decides to recapture his lost Christmas spirit by becoming a Santa Claus. But before donning the red suit, writer-producer Jack Sanderson must go to Santa School.

Happy Endings (9:30pm, ABC) - A cash-strapped Max (Adam Pally, right) agrees to play Santa for Penny's charity function. Also, Jane realizes she accidentally gave her housekeeper the cash she'd put aside to pay for a Christmas vacation instead of the $200 Christmas tip that she intended. "The Middle" and "Modern Family" also have Christmas-themed episodes tonight.

American Horror Story (10pm, FX) - Violet learns about the rules of the house and Constance is questioned by police. We also learn how Larry got burned (it wasn't trying to save his family, says show creator Ryan Murphy).

CSI (10pm, CBS) - The CSIs work with the FBI to investigate the murder of a rancher who is also a ballistics expert.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - Emily uncovers something Nolan has been hiding and uses it to take aim at Tyler. Also, Victoria reclaims some of her lost power, but her relationship with Conrad grows more sour.

Psych (10pm, USA) - I am excited to see any episode titled "The Tao of Gus." Tonight, Shawn and Gus hide a witness at a remote commune populated by eccentric intellectuals while they investigate a murder that the witness claims occurred in broad daylight.

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