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What to Watch on Wednesday: ABC sitcoms return, '60 Minutes Sports' debuts

Stars in Danger: The High Dive (8pm, Fox) - This weak show is just a bunch of D List celebrities diving into pools. Terrell Owens, Antonio Sabato Jr and JWoww are the only people you've probably heard of here.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Jay plans for the family to ring in the New Year at a Palm Springs hotel, but it's not a very happy one when the accommodations leave something to be desired. But his luck may change when he runs into actor Billy Dee Williams. All of the ABC sitcoms are new tonight.

60 Minutes Sports (10pm, Showtime) - On the show's premiere episode, Bob Simon travels to Spain for a rare interview with Lionel Messi (left), the record-breaking soccer player considered by many to be the best of all time. Also, Scott Pelley investigates the case against Lance Armstrong and Lara Logan updates her "60 Minutes" story on free solo climber Alex Honnold, who climbs rock walls using only his hands and feet.

Chicago Fire (10pm, NBC) - Severide tells Chief Boden about his injury and makes some difficult choices about his future. Meanwhile, Dawson goes on a rescue call and finds only one survivor -- a young girl.

People's Choice Awards (10pm, CBS) - Kaley Cuoco hosts the 39th annual event that recognizes fan favorites in movies, TV and music. Christina Aguilera, Jason Aldean and Alicia Keys perform.

Nashville (10pm, ABC) - Lamar brings up some deeply buried family secrets when Rayna considers taking her daughters on tour.

American Horror Story: Asylum (10pm, FX) - Dr. Thredson receives an unexpected visitor, and Monsignor Howard attempts to silence Sister Jude.

What to Watch on Wednesday: People's Choice and Chelsea Handler sitcom

One Tree Hill (8pm, CW) - The ninth and final season opens with Brooke adapting to family life with Julian and her new brood, and Clay and Quinn facing a puzzling complication.

Are You There, Chelsea? (8:30pm, NBC) - The premiere of a confusing new series about a sassy young bar worker, Chelsea Newman, and her group of twentysomething pals. The book is inspired by Chelsea Handler's book, "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea," but the Chelsea character is played by Laura Prepon. Adding to the confusion, Chelsea Handler, wearing a brunette wig, plays Chelsea's sister. So it's a show about Chelsea Handler starring Chelsea Handler, but Chelsea doesn't play Chelsea. Got it? Also, don't expect much.

People's Choice Awards (9pm, CBS) - Kaley Cuoco hosts this awards show, which recognizes fan favorites in movies, TV and music. Faith Hill and Demi Lovato perform.

Nova: Bombing Hitler's Dams (9pm, UNC-TV) - The story of a 1943 raid that employed a revolutionary bouncing bomb to destroy its targets: two gigantic dams in Germany's industrial heartland.

I Cloned My Pet (9pm, TLC) - A look at the social, scientific and financial ramifications of pet cloning. Okay, I understand the impulse, people. But just look at the over-crowded shelters!

Happy Endings (9:30pm, ABC) - Dave's father (Michael McKean) visits and brings along his new girlfriend (Megan Mullally), who just happens to be Penny's mother. Penny is happy for her mom but Dave is less than thrilled. Also, Alex buys a chatty, potty-mouthed parrot to keep her company at the story, and then suspects the Chinese restaurant next door to be a front for a brothel.

Face Off (10pm, Syfy) - Fourteen aspiring makeup artists face off the Season 2 premiere, which has them re-imagining characters from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

What to Watch on Wednesday: On 'Top Chef,' Colicchio steps into the kitchen

The Middle (8pm, ABC) - Frankie and Mike try to regain control of the Heck family household, but the kids won't go down easy. All of the ABC sitcoms are new tonight.

Human Target (8pm, Fox) - Two new back-to-back episodes tonight. In the first, a rift develops between Ilsa and Chance  when his former girlfriend asks him to rescue a colleague who was kidnapped by a South American despot. Then, an inept private eye (Tony Hale) may have blown his last case unless Winston, Guerrero and Ames can save him.
 
Law & Order: SVU (9pm, NBC) - This is either a two-hour episode or two back-to-back episodes. I do know that the case (or one of the cases) involves a gambling ring and an abused wife, played by Drea de Matteo ("Sopranos").

People's Choice Awards (9pm, CBS) - Queen Latifah hosts the worst awards show of the year.

Top Chef: All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - In a series first, head judge Tom Colicchio (right) enters the competition, challenging the chefs to beat his time in creating a dish. Then the contestants head to down to Chinatown to serve up dim sum for locals (I love the comment from a diner in the previews describing someone's dish as "caucasian dim sum.").

Miracle Detectives (10pm, OWN) - Cases include a Texas railroad worker who was cut in half by a train in 2006 and survived.

"People's Choice Awards" TV winners

I don't put a lot of stock in the "People's Choice Awards," but it's still worth noting the winners from last night's show.

"Glee" won Favorite New Comedy and "Vampire Diaries" won Favorite New Drama. "House" was also a big winner, snatching both Favorite TV Drama and Favorite TV Actor in a Drama for Hugh Laurie.

Check out the full list of TV winners below:

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