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What to Watch on Thursday: Season finales for 'Suits,' 'Rookie Blue,' 'Louie'

Rookie Blue (9pm, ABC) - Two new episodes end the second season. In the 9 pm episode, Andy and Sam can't stay away from each other, which puts Sam in harm's way. At 10 pm, Andy blames herself for the situation with Sam, and the resulting investigation may have shocking repercussions.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The designers use computer technology to help them create signature fabric designs, but they must also venture out into the city to capture the stories behind their inspirations.

Suits (10pm, USA) - In the first season finale, Harvey tries to free an innocent man but hits a wall when he goes to the district attorney (Chi McBride), who seems more focused on preserving the system than seeking justice. Also, Trevor causes problems for Mike when he shows up on Mike's doorstep. (I'm personally fine with a 100% Trevor-less Season 2).

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - In the Season 1 finale, Ryan and Wilfred face an existential crisis after the Ryan ignores Wilfred's advice. "Wilfred" has been renewed for a second season. Poor Bear...

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie has a rough time in this Season 2 finale, titled "Airport." FX has picked up the show for a third season.

What to Watch on Thursday: Nick News talks to kids about 9/11

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: The Story of September 11, 2001 (9pm, Nickelodeon) - Kids too young to remember the attacks of September 11 discuss their questions about the event with journalist Linda Ellerbee.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The seamsters union join forces with art students to create artwork that will inspire clothing designs. Designer Kenneth Cole is the guest judge.

Sweet Home Alabama (9pm, CMT) - Devin chooses between the last two suitors in the first season finale.

Ultimate Merger (9pm, TV One) - A military obstacle course must be tackled to win a date with Toccara.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Harvey's former mentor (Gary Cole) turns to his protege when his office comes under investigation. Meanwhile, Mike and Louis try to settle a mogul's estate in the midst of family clashes, and Jenny worries that Mike is hiding something.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie's distraught sister drops off her daughter at Grand Central Station and then gets back on the train that brought them to New York. Comedians Godfrey, Todd Barry, and Nick DiPaolo appear as themselves.

The Green Room with Paul Provenza (11pm, Showtime) - Season 2 ends with comedians Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, Judah Friedlander, Chris Hardwick, and Tim Minchin.

What to Watch on Thursday: Discovery looks at rebuilding at Ground Zero

NFL Exhibition: Panthers vs. Bengals (7pm, WTVD) - This exhibition game, which features the Carolina Panthers at the Cincinnati Bengals, preempts the season finale of ABC's "Expedition Impossible." WTVD will re-air that finale at 2 a.m. Thursday night/Friday morning. Set your DVR!

Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero (8pm, Discovery) - A three-hour documentary series chronicling the construction of a 16-acre complext at the site of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City. All three parts air tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. Here's more information and some clips from the series, including a time lapse video of construction progress.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The designers work a challenge with a track-and-field theme. They must create garments inspired by sneakers and sportswear and also participate in a race. Someone goes down. Hard. Model Erin Wasson is a guest judge.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Mike questions the firing of an executive, whom Harvey dismissed at the request of a client.

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - Ryan finally begins to suspect that his friendship with Wilfred might  not be in his best interests. Then he meets a guy (played by Dwight Yoakam) who confirms that suspicion.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie has an adventure in Afghanistan.

What to Watch on Thursday: Saving Detroit, ruining Italy

Detroit in Overdrive (8pm, Planet Green) - All three installments tonight in a new three-part documentary series examining efforts to revitalize the city of Detroit. In the first, Kid Rock launches a beer label (Badass Beer) and fashion designer Joe Faris tries to revive the Motor City's garment district. At 9, the show looks at a start-up record label and a famous artist's installation, as well as a high school trumpet player who auditions for a music scholarship. The episode at 10 visits a former auto body plant that houses small businesses and a community of artists.

So You Think You Can Dance (8pm, Fox) - "American Idol" contestant Pia Toscano performs, and two dancers are sent home.

Ultimate Merger (9pm, TV One) - In the Season 2 opener, model Tocarra Jones looks for a mate and meets 12 suitors who try to win her over. Adrienne reviews.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The designers must make fashion from items found in a pet store.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Mike takes on Louis' protege during a mock trial, but his conflict with Rachel could hurt his chances of winning. Meanwhile, Harvey works on a merger between two hotel chains, but his past with the opposing counsel complicates matters.

Jersey Shore (10pm, MTV) - The new season begins tonight and the bad news for Europe is that it all takes place in Italy. Watch Snooki crash into an Italian police car and get arrested. Watch Ronnie beat on The Situation. Watch me watch "Suits" at 10 p.m. instead...

Louie  (10:30pm, FX) - Louie reflects on his career failures and tries to score concert tickets for his daughter. Comics Dane Cook and Bob Saget play themselves.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Project Runway' and HBO's 'Derek Jeter 3K'

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - Season 9 of the fashion-themed reality competition series returns. Here's a list of the new cast and where they're from. There's a special at 8 p.m. that follows the casting process.

Derek Jeter 3K (9pm, HBO) - A documentary going behind the scenes with the Yankee shortstop during the 2011 season as he approached 3000 career hits. Includes interviews with family, friends, teammates, and Yankees executives. Also, highlights from his career and footage from on and off the field.

Serving Life (9pm, OWN) - A documentary following inmate hospice volunteers at Louisiana's maximum security Angola prison as they care for dying fellow inmates. Narrated by Forest Whitaker. It beings as four volunteers are screened and trained for the daunting job.

Black Tide: Voices from the Gulf (9pm, Animal Planet) - A documentary examining how the 2010 BP oil spill affected the lives, businesses and animals of Louisiana's Gulf region, and how they are trying to rebuild. We have more about it here.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - An informant's murder is investigated, and Gail's mother, Superintendant Peck (Lauren Holly), arrives to ratchet up the pressure to solve the case. Gail is assigned to protect the only known witness to the crime.

Suits (10pm, USA) - The guys defend a woman falsely accused of insider trading. Elsewhere, Mike helps Rachel study for the LSAT and realizes she's close to discovering his secret.

Green Room with Paul Provenza (11pm, Showtime) - In this season's third episode, Richard Belzer competes in an impromptu "Jagger-off" and a kinda hostile Doug Stanhope goes after Jeneane Garofalo. Things get tense. It's totally uncensored and often pretty vulgar, but really interesting and funny as uh, heck. 

What to Watch on Thursday: Renewed "Rookie Blue" delivers for summer

Sweet Home Alabama (9pm, CMT) - In the series premiere of thise reality dating series (think countrified "Bachelorette"), Alabama's Devin Grissom meets 20 guys (10 country, 10 city), who try to sweep her off her feet. Four men go home in this first episode.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - I'll take this Canadian import over the rest of network summer fare any day of the week. Last week's episode (poor Luke!) was gripping. Tonight, expect more on that situation, plus the police investigate a series of arsons, and Andy and a widow wind up trapped in an unstable, burned-out building. ABC and Global TV announced yesterday that they're picking up this series for a third season (hooray!). Filming starts later this summer in Toronto.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Harvey defends a figure from Jessica's past, making it difficult for Jessica to detach herself from the case. Also, Mike is eager to take on a pro bono case, but soon learns it won't be an easy win.

Texas Women (10pm, CMT) - Another new reality series from CMT, this one following the lives and careers of four Texas women (sounds like "Real Housewives of Texas").

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - Ryan tries to reconcile with his sister, and Wilfred is sent to doggy day care.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie has a rough show in Atlantic City and gets some career advice from Joan Rivers (playing herself), who is appearing at the same casino.

The Green Room with Paul Provenza (11pm, Showtime) - Comedian Paul Provenza talks about "the craft" with Ray Romano, Garry Shandling, Judd Apatow, and Marc Maron. Didn't Jerry Seinfeld just do this same show on HBO with Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, and Louis CK?

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Big Brother' returns on CBS

Big Brother (9pm, CBS) - In the 13th season opener, eight new house guests are introduced, plus some notorious pairs from previous seasons who will also play the game.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - A full moon brings the crazies out as Andy and Swarek track a disturbed man while looking into the theft of three severed heads from a medical lab. Andy tries to protect a young woman who may be the next victim, and ends up putting herself and Luke in harm's way.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Harvey goes rogue in order to fix a crisis with a client despite Jessica's desire to reign him in. Elsewhere, Mike turns to Rachel for guidance when he learns he'll be hosting a dinner for rookies, and important tradition at the firm.

Extreme Chef (10pm, Food) - A mountain challenge has three chefs, including Rocky Mount's Chef Jerome Brown, hiking up a steep hill with all their cooking supplies and diving into a frigid lake to catch fish.

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - Ryan gets his wallet back from his violent, porn-addicted neighbor (Ethan Suplee), who wants revenge on the thief, but who also wants a pal.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - Louie searches for a new home in New York. Donna Hanover, ex-wife of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, plays Louie's real estate agent.

Ugly Americans (10:30pm, Comedy Central) - Callie reluctantly becomes her baby sister's guardian when their estranged parents' reunion proves to be a short one.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Extreme Chef' pushes cooks to the limit

So You Think You Can Dance (8pm, Fox) - Two of the 16 remaining dancers are eliminated, after a performance by the AXIS Dance Company. Kristin Chenoweth is a guest judge.

Expedition Impossible (9pm, ABC) - The challenges tonight include riding wild stallions and kayaking a raging river.

Extreme Chef (10pm, Food) - This new show hosted by Marsh Mokhtari challenges chefs to create delicious dishes under extreme circumstances. The ida is to push competitors to their mental and physical limits. Tonight, chefs must cook with unmarked canned goods when they're dropped off in a neighborhood in Newhall, California. Later, they must knock on residents' doors to gather cooking materials, and prepare hot appetizers on the block of a car engine. Heads-up: A local chef will compete in next week's episode, in which chefs must swim across a lake to gather ingredients. We'll have more on that soon!

Suits (10pm, USA) - Love this new show. Tonight, Mike has an ethical dilemma wwhen Louis forces him to make a decision that could hurt his relationship with Harvey. Elsewhere, Harvey's past comes back to haunt him during a case.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - Andy and Gail go undercover as cocktail waitresses ina club known for drug trafficking. Also, a young woman files a complaint against Dov, and Tracey finds she still has feelings for Det. Barber.

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - Ryan deceives Wilfred to get him to the doggie dentist, and there are repercussions when Wilfred tells Ryan something disturbing about his owner, Jenna.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) -- Louie has an unsettling encounter on the way to a first "non-date," and later receives an intriguing proposition while dropping off Jane at school.

What to Watch on Thursday: A big night of summer premieres

Burn Notice (9pm, USA) - In the Season 5 premiere, Michael works with his old agency to go after the people who burned him in a case that leads the group to Venezuela.

Expedition Impossible (9pm, ABC) - The debut of an ambitious new reality competition show hosted by adventurer Dave Salmoni (you may have seen him living with lions on Animal Planet). The new show is part "Survivor" and part "Amazing Race," featuring 13 three-person teams of ordinary people who go on grueling missions in Morocco. In tonight's opener, the teams tackle the Sahara desert and the cliffs of Todra Gorge before one team is eliminated. The eventual winning team gets $150,000 to split three ways, which I have to admit sounds a little cheap on the part of ABC.

Shotgun Red Variety Hour (9:30pm, RFD) - Don't forget to tune in for Garner's Gerald Goodwin!

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - In the Season 2 premiere of this Canadian police drama, a shooting at a concert rattles Andy and causes conflict with Det. Jo Rosati. Also, sparks fly between Rosati and her former partner, Luke.

Suits (10pm, USA) - In the premiere of a new legal drama, successful lawyer Harvey Specter hires a brilliant college dropout as a new associate at a top law firm, despite the fact that the associate doesn't have a law degree. Both men must conceal that fact from their coworkers in order to work together. Here's our review.

Wilfred (10pm, FX) - A strange new sitcom about a depressed young man (Elijah Wood) who befriends his neighbor's dog, Wilfred. Wilfred looks like a dog to everyone else, but to Wood's character, he's a gruff Australian man in a dog suit. It's funny and crude. Check out our review.

Louie (10:30pm, FX) - In the second season premiere of Louis C.K.'s sharp semi-autobiographical comedy series, Louie's sister shows up unexpectedly with some unexpected news.

Kings of Pastry (2am, UNC-TV) - The 24th season of the Point of View documentary series premieres with the Chris Hegedus-D.A. Pennebaker film about the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France pastry competition in Lyons. It will also air Friday night at 11pm on UNC-MX.

"Suits" isn't custom, but it's tailor made for USA

"Suits" (10 tonight, USA) is one of those shows that you've seen before, but you might enjoy anyway.

Indeed, you've probably seen it on USA; plot-wise it's kin to "Burn Notice," "White Collar" and "Covert Affairs" (it shares that last show's two executive producers).

Like those shows, "Suits" is the story of a nice guy stuck in a bad situation; Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) is bright and has the ability to remember anything he reads. Still, because of bad choices, he's reduced to making money by taking tests for those who aren't as smart. Meanwhile, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) is a wealthy, arrogant attorney, who will close a deal by any means necessary. He's about to make senior partner, much to the chagrin of his nemesis Louis (Rick Hoffman).

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