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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: '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.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Country music at the White House

In Performance: Country Music at the White House (8pm, UNC-TV) - President and Mrs. Obama host a tribute to country music in which contemporary artists pay homage to the genre's inconic figures. Performers include The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Lauren Alaina, Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Darius Rucker, and James Taylor (right). The concert was taped Monday night in the East Room at the White House. 

The Middle (8pm, ABC) - Frankie and her sister (Molly Shannon) clash over their opposing parenting styles while spending Thanksgiving with their folks (Marsha Mason and Jerry Van Dyke). "Suburgatory" and "Modern Family" also have Thanksgiving-themed episodes tonight.

X-Factor (8pm, Fox) - One of the remaining 9 contestants is eliminated and Kelly Clarkson performs.

The Biggest Loser: Where are They Now? (9pm, NBC) - Updates on past contestants along with bloopers and behind-the-scenes footage. Also, the trainers offer their thoughts on the current season.

American Horror Story (10pm, FX) - A lot of reveals tonight, not the least of which is the identity of Rubber Man! This is a seriously jam-packed episode, folks.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - Emily seeks guidance from her mentor after losing her most trusted ally. Meanwhile, Victoria finds herself all alone and Tyler continues to cause damage.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Another night of big premieres

The X-Factor (8pm, Fox) - The season premiere of Simon Cowell's new singing competition show, which is sure to give "American Idol" a run for its money. Tonight features auditions in LA, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Seattle and Newark. Another episode airs tomorrow night at 8. If you're an "American Idol" fan, should you bother watching this one too? I say yes. More details here.

The Middle (8pm, ABC) - In the one-hour season premiere, the Hecks go on a camping trip, which sparks honeymoon memories for Frankie and Mike, whose honeymoon campout was spoiled by Mike's gloomy former classmate (Ray Romano).

Up All Night / Free Agents (8pm, NBC) - NBC's new comedies premiered last week but move into their regular time slots tonight.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Another one-hour premiere, which begins with a Pritchett family vacation at a dude ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In the second half hour, Mitchell and Cameron plan to break the news of adopting another child, although this may not sit well with Lily. Brace yourself: the adorable Lily has been recast this season.

Harry's Law (9pm, NBC) - Season two gets a bit of a makeover. Brittany Snow and Aml Ameen are out, and Mark Valley ("Human Target," "Boston Legal") and Broadway actress Karen Olivo are in. Christopher McDonald (fast-talking Tommy Jefferson) is a regular. In tonight's season premiere, which beings a three episode arc, the show brings in guest actors Alfred Molina and Jean Smart.

Criminal Minds (9pm, CBS) - In the seventh season opener, the team's actions in the aftermath of the loss of Prentiss are questioned by a Senate committee, and a familiar person unexpectedly appears to rally them.

CSI (10pm, CBS) - Season 12 begins with the lab getting a new supervisor (Ted Danson, right), who helps the CSIs investigate multiple shootings and stabbings on a public tram. Danson may finally be what gets me to try to watch this show, which for some reason, I've never taken to.

Revenge (10pm, NBC) - The series premiere of a drama about a young woman (Emily VanCamp from "Brothers & Sisters) who returns to the Hamptons with a new identity to get revenge on people who destroyed her family years ago. My review

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - SVU starts its 13th season without star Christopher Meloni, who opted not to return. In tonight's opener, an Atlanta detective (Kelli Giddish) joins the squad as Benson (Mariska Hargitay) tries to cope with the aftermath of a chaotic shooting in the precinct.

Not in Our Town: Light in the Darkness (10pm,  UNC-TV) - A documentary on the efforts of the Long Island town of Patchogue to address the underlying causes for a fatal 2008 hate crime attack on Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero by a group of teens.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Idol' winner named: Will Scotty win?

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The winning singer is named tonight. Odds are that the winner will be Garner's own Scotty McCreery, but you just. never. know. Georgia's Lauren Alaina has been a strong contestant, too. Before the big moment, there will be a reunion of the Top 13 contestants from this season (I've already forgotten anyone past the Top 6) and the iconic rock band U2 will perform with actors from the "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" Broadway catastrophe. I mean show. Broadway show. One last time, Go Scotty!

The Middle (8pm, ABC) - It's finale night for all of ABC's Wednesday night sitcoms, even the very funny "Happy Endings," which just started a few weeks ago. On "The Middle," Axl hasn't completed his 30 days of community service and Sue has to prove she's never taken a sick day to get a perfect attendance award. On "Modern Family," Jay wants to spend his birthday fishing but his family wants a big party, which leads to Claire and Mitchell getting trapped in the yard of their childhood home and Cameron getting into trouble at the bakery. And in a one-hour finale for "Cougar Town," Travis moves to Hawaii and the gang uses that as an excuse to take a vacation there, though they're really on a mission to convince him to come home. On "Happy Endings," a surprise invitation to the wedding of an old slacker buddy leads Brad and Jane to uncover something disturbing about their marital status, and a depressed Penny asks Derrick to be her date and pretend they're engaged.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (10pm, CBS) - This one didn't make it, so tonight's season finale is actually a series finale. In this last episode, a serial killer is shooting people in crowded places and Beth's life is threatened when she goes undercover with Prophet.

Law & Order: Los Angeles (10pm, NBC) - It's not a finale, but it's one of the few non-repeats on tonight. In this episode, the murder of a casino worker exposes an argument that occurred before the crime and an admission from the victim's girlfriend that complicates the case.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Modern Family' skeletons revealed

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The seven contestants (or "Scotty and them," as we say around here) sing songs from the 21st century.

The Middle (8pm, ABC) - Frankie's obsession with the royal wedding worries her family when she buys commemorative knickknacks and an expensive HDTV on which to watch the events.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Skeletons are out of the closet when Mitchell and Cameron covertly evaluate the family in search of potential legal guardians for Lily. They aren't exactly impressed with the parenting they observe: Jay using "tough love" with Manny, and Claire secretly taking Luke to a child psychologist. NOTE: All of the ABC sitcoms are new tonight and run 8 - 11 p.m. 'Cougar Town' is back in their normal 9:30 time slot and there are two new episodes of the very good 'Happy Endings' starting at 10 p.m.

Saving Pelican 895 (9pm, HBO) - A chronicle of oiled-bird rescues in the aftermath of the 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico focuses on the 895th surviving brown pelican as it endures the painstaking process of cleaning and rehabilitation before it can be released into the wild.

Breaking In (9:30pm, Fox) - Oz helps his childhood friend, NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson, with a security problem at his track.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Raylan wants to know who is trying to kill him, and in the course of his investigation, discovers he is not the only target. Meanwhile, Boyd challenges Dickie Bennet for control of the Harlan weed business, and taps Arlo to assist him.

What to Watch on Wednesday: ABC sitcoms fling arrows at your heart

Celebration of Gospel (8pm, BET) - A repeat of last week's blockbuster gospel music special hosted by Steve Harvey and featuring a duet between Kim Burrell and Whitney Houston.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Phil and Claire once again assume their alter egos (Clive and Juliana) for their annual Valentine's Day rendezvous. Also, Jay encounters obstacles trying to surprise Gloria, and Cameron and Mitchell dispute an admirer's intentions. "The Middle" (8pm) and "Better With You" (8:30pm) also have Valentine's themed episodes tonight.

Human Target (9pm, Fox) - In the second season finale, Chance digs into the past of Ilsa's deceased husband, but the unsavory details of lies and deceit he discovers may cause irreparable damage to the team.

Reagan (9pm, History) - Another documentary about former President Ronald Reagan, this one focusing on pivotal periods in his life, including his presidency, his role as governor of California, and his acting career. Interviews with Sam Donaldson, David Gergen, and George Shultz.

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - A new sitcom starring Matthew Perry as the manager of a San Diego sports arena. Also stars Andrea Anders ("Better Off Ted") as a coworker and Allison Janney as his wacky boss.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs cater Jimmy Fallon's birthday party and Fallon serves as the guest judge.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Season 2 has Raylan tracking down a sex offender and renewing acquaintances with the matriarch of a powerful Rabbit Holler pot farming family. Also, Boyd is once again on the loose. Our preview of the new season.

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.

Today's giveaway makes your family look normal

It's time for that staple: the sitcom family!

We offer 'The Middle," the ABC show that takes you to Orson, Indiana into the crazy world of the Hecks. It stars Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn as the parents of three strange kids, and it's pretty funny.

You'll get three discs with 24 episodes, plus special features of unaired scenes, a gag reel, and the creators talking about the series development.

Maybe you missed the first season, maybe you know someone who is a fan. Either way, you just need to email me by 7 tonight (12/14) and you'll get into a random drawing. If you win, you can screen it for your own weird family on Christmas Day!

What to Watch on Wednesday: An Obama, a Jonas, a Karate Kid guest star

Human Target (8pm, Fox) - Chance is forced to contact Baptiste in a Russian prison when he's the only person who may be able to help Ilsa's kidnapped friend.

The Middle (8pm, ABC)- Frankie's parents (Jerry Van Dyke and Marsha Mason) visit for Christmas and suggest the family celebrate the holiday without gifts. It's also Christmas on "Better With You."  Maddie discovers Mia is using her pregnancy as an excuse to opt out of the dreaded family Christmas at their parents' lake house, so Maddie makes up a story of her own to avoid the trip.

Mythbusters (9pm, Discovery) - Adam and Jamie meet President Obama in this reexamination of a myth pertaining to Archimedes' solar death ray weapon, which the Greek scientist is said to have used to set fire to Roman ships during the siege of Syracuse. Hey Adam -- way to wear blue jeans to the White House. Sigh.

Fabulous Beekman Boys (9pm, Planet Green) - The fabulous city-slickers-turned-farmers in a one-hour holiday special featuring reflections on Season 1, behind-the-scenes footage, favorite moments, and a preview of Season 2.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - The first school dance for Luke and Manny prompts an eventful trip to the mall for Jay and Phil.

Psych (10pm, USA) - Shawn and Gus enroll in the police academy in order to brush up on police procedure following a reprimand from the SBPD. The training doesn't stick as Chief Vick had planned, however. Ralph Macchio guest stars.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - Pop singer Joe Jonas  Joe Jenlists the gourmet contestants to prepare a snack for children on a sleep over at New York's American Museum of Natural History. Season 1 host Katie Lee Joel returns as a guest judge.

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