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What to Watch on Thursday: Obama speech closes out DNC

Democratic National Convention - The Democrats get 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 8 p.m. Tonight, a speech from President Barack Obama. Here's the full rundown of what the networks and cable outlets have planned.  

MTV Video Music Awards (8pm, MTV) - Comedian Kevin Hart hosts the 29th annual bash at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Scheduled performers include Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Green Day, One Direction, Alicia Keys and Pink.

Rookie Blue (9pm, ABC) - In the third season finale, Andy and Swarek face off with a violent child abductor, and Chris contemplates a transfer request.

Crime Inc. (9pm, CNBC) - An examination of health care fraud includes a look at doctors who knowingly perform unnecessary surgeries and businessmen who sell phony insurance policies.

Iron Men (9pm, The Weather Channel) - Rough weather complicates work on the World Trade Center and the Barclays Center sports arena in Brooklyn.

What to Watch on Thursday: Season finales for 'Suits' and 'Anger Management'

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The designers create looks to accompany new hairstyles for everyday women who are in need of makeovers. That means, this is the episode where designers have to design for non-boney women with average bodies, and they all pitch hissy fits and make the women cry. British fashion designer Alice Temperly is guest judge.

Burn Notice (9pm, USA) - The gang travels to Panama in the season finale, but their target discovers their plans and sets a trap.

Anger Management (9:30pm, FX) - In the first season finale, a seemingly innocent gesture leads Charlie and Kate to examine their relationship.

Suits (10pm, USA) - In the season finale, a personal tragedy causes Mike (Patrick J. Adams, right) to drop off the grid when Harvey (Gabriel Macht, right) needs him during the fight for the firm.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - Andy and Nick cross paths with a powerful drug dealer while investigating a death threat aimed a priest. Meanwhile, Chris and Swarek argue over what it takes to be a good cop.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie goes on a search for a lost love and then looks for his daughter.

Awkward (10:30pm, MTV) - Jenna struggles with her complicated love life, and an unexpected text message makes things even worse.

What to Watch on Thursday: New cooking show, new singing show (yawn)

The Next (9pm, CW) - Another singing show. For the love of .... Okay, in this one, music stars travel the U.S. to coach aspiring musicians who are competing for a record contract. Tonight, Gloria Estefan and Nelly hit the road.

Time Machine Chefs (9pm, ABC) - Accomplished chefs must create complicated meals in different historical settings, using only basic kitchen equipment. No Cuisinarts! The chefs are Art Smith, Chris Cosentino, Ilan Hall and Jill Davie.

Crime Inc (9pm, CNBC) - A report on the trade in counterfeit goods, from fake designer bags to wine and toothpaste.

Rock Center with Brian Williams (10pm, NBC) - Willie Geist gives a status report on the lives of Olympic athletes after their return home from London. Also, an interview with Ann Romney and a Scientology-based drug rehab program.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - "Rookie Blue," I am still mad at you. How could you do what you did to me? Tonight, in the aftermath of a tragic loss, the officers must recover a stolen laptop containing information that could compromise a drug informant, whose motives arouse suspicion in Sam and cause a rift between him and Andy. I'll watch, but I'm still mad.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Harvey tries to sway an important figure whose vote will determine the firm's future.

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (11pm, FX) - This debuted last week in the post-"Louie" spot formerly occupied by Russell Brand's mess of a show. This offering is much better. Each week, Bell riffs on current events in front of an audience, and occasionally does some street interviews or welcomes a guest (last week it was Chris Rock, who executive-produces the show). If you can track down last week's premiere, it's definitely worth a watch.

What to Watch on Thursday: NGC doc looks at development of Mars rover Curiosity

2012 Summer Olympics (NBC) - You can check to see when and where games are playing on the NBC Olympics schedule page. Highlights include track and field, women's diving, men's beach volleyball finals and Ashton Eaton and Trey Hardee competing for the decathlon. Tips on watching the Olympic games.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - In the wake of one contender's startling departure, the designers must seamlessly create day-to-evening outfits for women. Hayden Panettiere is the guest judge.

Burn Notice (9pm, USA) - Michael sets up his own arrest by the FBI as part of a plot to take down a Boston mobster. Elsewhere, Jesse and Pearce resort to blackmail to gain information on a gun sale.

Martian Mega Rover (10pm, NGC) - From drawing board to launch pad: Filmmaker Mark Davis documents the development of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and the November 26, 2011, launch of the craft, which landed on the red planet this week.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - A serial killer is suspected when a missing girl's body is discovered in a ravine, but news of Andy's assault and Gail's abduction turns an already crucial investigation into a rescue mission.

Awkward (10:30pm, MTV) - Jenna is determined to take her relationship with Jake to the next level, but there are obstacles, including her Aunt Aly's wedding, a man from her mom's past, and a scheming Sadie.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie goes shopping with an old friend.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Project Runway' premiere, 'Duets' finale

Duets (8pm, ABC) - A winner is announced in the Season 1 finale, after the professionals and their amateur partners perform one last time.

Project Runway (9am, Lifetime) - A brand new season with 16 new designers begins tonight. Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Michael Kors all return as judges, and guest judges this season will include Lauren Graham and Patricia Feld. And Tim Gunn is back as mentor, of course.

Saving Hope (9pm, NBC) - Routine surgery takes a nightmarish course when Alex's patient falls into a coma. Before long, Charlie connects with the coma patient in the spirit world.

Burn Notice (9pm, USA) - Michael takes on a gangster with help from an unlikely ally, and Card offers Fiona a deal to become a CIA assett -- an arrangement that would prevent her from being extradited.

Anger Management (9:30pm, FX) - Charlie learns that his new love interest, Lori (Denise Richards), thinks therapy is a scam. Meanwhile, Charlie is asked to counsel one of his patient's mother's angry ghost.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - An alleged psychic aids the search for a missing witness.

Sullivan & Son (10pm, TBS) - The premiere of a new sitcom about a corporate attorney who gives up his job and buys out his family's Pittsburgh-based bar on a whim. Two episodes tonight. Astonishingly not funny.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - In part one of two parts, Louie searches for love with an eccentric bookseller played by Parker Posey.

What to Watch on Thursday: New season of 'Big Brother' and a report on Scientology

Burn Notice (9pm, USA) - Sam is kidnapped during a mission in the Everglades with Michael and Jesse. Meanwhile, Fiona gets into trouble with a pair of inmates, but an ally offers assistance in exchange for a favor.

Saving Hope (9pm, NBC) - A seriously injured man under hypnosis can't recall his identity, so a hypnotist is called him to help snap him out of his trance.

Big Brother (9pm, CBS) - The 4th installment begins with 12 new house guests and four returning players who are among the  most successful to ever compete in the house. Twist: the four players from past seasons will play for their own separate prize and not the $500,000 grand prize. Julie Chen (aka Chenbot, left) returns as host.

Rock Center (10pm, NBC) - Kate Snow explores Scientology in a segment that features the views of two former members of the church. The report includes, naturally, a look at Tom Cruise's marriages to and divorces from Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes. You can watch a clip below featuring a former Scientology official who led Cruise through "confessional sessions" during his divorce from Kidman.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - Shaw becomes distraught when his 15-year-old daughter is apprehended as a material witness to the stabbing of a homeless man.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Travis returns to town and takes aim at Harvey, causing trouble that Harvey and Jessica must hide from Daniel. Elsewhere, Louis and Mike become closer as friends, but Louis' paranoia threatens to ruin the new bond.

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - Wilfred becomes embattled with an unlikely foe, forcing Ryan to intervene.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie takes a stand-up job in Miami and makes a new friend when his beach outing goes awry.
 

What to Watch on Thursday: Headhunting for chefs on Food Network

Saving Hope (9pm, NBC) - Alex puts her focus on a double-hand replantation, hoping the case will prove her worth as chief surgical resident. Maggie suspects that a homeless man was misdiagnosed.

Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell (10pm, Food) - Anne Burrell (left) helps acclaimed chef and restaurateur David Burke (left) find an executive chef to run his restaurant Fromagerie in Rumson, N.J.  Burke tests the candidates on ingredient utilization and then asks them to create their own theme night. This series has been called a cross between "The Apprentice" and "Top Chef."

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - Andy has an unexpected run-in with her estranged mother while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Meanwhile, Det. Barber loses track of a stash of recovered guns, putting his job in jeopardy.

Kathy (10pm, Bravo) - The final episode of the season has Kathy Griffin interviewing Jimmy Kimmel.

Cajun Justice (10pm, A&E) - A shrimper claims to find a human bone in his fishing net, and a man and his nephew get into a heated argument over crab traps.

Awkward (10:30pm, MTV) - Jenna revels in her and Jake's official relationship status until she learns a hidden camera is filming at the Sanctuary. She then goes to great lengths to destroy the tape, enlisting Ming and others to help.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie's friends try to set him up with a brash woman, played by Melissa Leo. You will never look at Melissa Leo in the same way ever again.

What to Watch on Thursday: Louis CK shares the night with Charlie Sheen, Russell Brand

Wipeout (9pm, ABC) - The fifth summer season premieres with a hottie vs. nerds battle of the sexes thing (and I thought I couldn't be more unappealing to me).

Anger Management (9pm, FX) - It's the new Charlie Sheen sitcom, and it debuts tonight with two back-to-back episodes. Sheen plays a therapist who specializes in anger management issues. It's a little better than "Two and a Half Men," but that's not saying much (it's still not very nice to women). And it's not in the same universe as FX's other sitcoms (like "Louie," pictured here, or "Wilfred" or "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"), but everybody's got bills to pay, I guess. Here's my full "Anger Management" review.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - During her first day as a detective, Traci makes an amateur mistake that puts a homicide investigation in jeopardy.

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - Wilfred, who has bonded with Jenna's meathead boyfriend Drew, accuses Ryan of being selfish and refuses to help him with his problems.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie (Louis C.K., pictured here) goes through a really tough day in tonight's Season 3 premiere. I've already seen the first five episodes of the season and it's really incredible. As always.

Awkward (10:30pm, MTV) - Tonight marks the start of the second season of this really excellent teen comedy following the adventures of awkward-but-lovable high schooler Jenna Hamilton. A marathon of the first season airs on MTV starting at 3:30. Your DVR wants it.

Brand X (11pm, FX) - A new half-hour series in which British actor and comedian Russell Brand dissects current events and ponders the great questions of mankind while awkwardly interacting with a live audience. Writer Matt Stoller appears as a political, economic and historical consultant. Here's my take on "Brand X."

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Saving Hope' is NBC's twist on the hospital drama

Take Me Out (8pm, Fox) - In the premiere of this new show, men and women eliminate one another in a dating game in which first impressions are key. George Lopez hosts.

The Choice (9pm, Fox) - Another dating game show from Fox. In this one, "celebrity" bachelors (Jason Cook, Jeremy Bloom, Romeo, DJ Pauly D) sit in chairs facing away from bachelorettes who try to intrigue them. Yes, they are borrowing/stealing liberally from NBC's "The Voice."

Saving Hope (9pm, NBC) - The first episode of a new summer drama about a surgeon (Michael Shanks, right) who falls into a coma and roams the halls of a hospital in "spirit" form. As he observes the care given to patients, his fiance (Erica Durance, "Smallville") teams up with a new young surgeon (Daniel Gillies, "The Vampire Diaries") to save his life.

L.A. Hair (9pm, WeTV) - Omarosa visits the salon for an interview and causes a ruckus.

CMT Music Awards (9pm, CMT) - If you missed last night's show featuring a performance from Scotty McCreery, it's repeating tonight at 9. Red Carpet show repeats at 8.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - Dov shoots a teenager during a convenience-store robbery, causing outrage in the community and prompting an investigation into Dov's actions.

Final Offer (10pm, Discovery) - Kurt Cobain's guitar and a lock of Elvis Presley's hair tempt the dealers.

Rock Center with Brian Williams (10pm, NBC) - Segments tonight include an interview with Napster founders who have invented a new video chat site called Airtime. Watch a clip from the interview below.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Touch' season finale, 'Mountain Men' in NC

Touch (8pm, Fox) - In the first season finale, the Aster Corporation's interest in Jake (David Mazouz) increases as Martin (Kiefer Sutherland) and Abigail seek common ground in the custody battle for his son. Meanwhile, Martin searches for a connection between Jake and Amelia, the missing girl who shares his gift for numbers. Maria Bello guest stars.

Breaking Point (8pm, CW) - A new series spotlighting the cutthroat world of competitive ballet at the Ballet West company in Salt Lake City. The series starts off with a behind-the-scenes look at the unglamorous side of professional ballet. Here's Adrienne's review.

Mary Mary (9pm, WeTV) - In the Season 1 finale, the ladies get ready for the Grammy Awards, where they are slated to sing their new single.

Mountain Men (10pm, History Channel) - The mountains of North Carolina, the Yaak River in Montana and the small Alaskan town of Two Rivers are the focus of the opener of this new series, which follows the lives of outdoorsmen who choose to live in the wilderness.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - Andy and Swarek happen upon the trail of a violent teen fugitive while searching for a stolen police car.

Final Offer (10pm, Discovery) - A king's sword handle and NASCAR hoods are featured in the debut of this new series in which four expert buyers of art, antiques and collectibles meet one-on-one with sellers of big ticket items.

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