AMC's "The Walking Dead" returns for its second season tonight, and the action is every bit as tense and gross as it was in Season 1.

It's true the show has experienced some well-publicized shakeups behind the camera (that whole Frank Darabont mess), and fans all hope and pray those rumblings won't affect the quality of the show. And at least in the first two episodes, you can't tell anything is much different.

I'm guessing if we do notice differences down the line, those are likely to be budget-related (that whole Matthew Weiner/"Mad Men" mess). But as Season 2 opens, the survivors are out of downtown Atlanta and away from the fake CDC set, spending their time on a jammed-up highway, in the woods, and at an old farm house. That's gotta be cheaper for AMC, but the setting fits the story just fine, so no complaints.

AMC is airing all six episodes of Season 1 of their excellent zombie drama, 'The Walking Dead,' starting tonight at 8pm.

This is a really great show, so if you missed it during the first run, here's your chance to catch up.

Each episode will be packaged with exclusive content, including interviews with executive producer and writer Frank Darabont ('The Shawshank Redemption,' 'The Green Mile'), who also directed the pilot. Also interviewed, executive producers Gale Anne Hurd and Robert Kirkman, and special effects makeup designer and consulting producer Greg Nicotero.

AMC will also air an exclusive look at their new series 'The Killing' around 9:30pm tonight, during the marathon. That show begins on April 3 at 9pm with a two-hour premiere. 'The Killing' tells the story of a murdered teenage girl and the subsequent police investigation. If it's anything like AMC's other offerings, it'll be more than solid.

If you had told me two months ago that a series about zombies would be one of my favorite and not-to-be-missed TV shows of the season, I simply wouldn't have believed you. I thought AMC's "The Walking Dead" would be good (AMC's track record alone is enough to get me interested) but didn't expect to be blown away (pun intended). The series has fascinated, it has terrified, and it has grossed-out.

It has also been painfully brief. Tonight's episode, the sixth, is the final of the first season (as AMC's highest ratest series, it's a no-brainer that it has already been renewed. Pun intended.).

Tonight's episode picks up where last week's episode ended (plot details and video ahead).

The Simpsons (8pm, Fox) - An edgy, dysfunctional Christmas with the Simpsons features some disturbing twists. Martha Stewart has a voice cameo and Katy Perry appears in a live-action segment with puppets of the Simpsons.

On Strike for Christmas (8pm, Lifetime) - Daphne Zuniga stars in this story about a group of wives who go on strike in the days leading up to Christmas beacuse they cannot get their families to participate in holiday preparations. David Sutcliffe and Julia Duffy also star.

Boardwalk Empire (9pm, HBO) - In the first season finale, Nucky (Steve Buscemi, left) wonders how election day will change Atlantic City, while Johnny Torrio tries to play peacemaker for two bitter rivals. Don't forget to enter our contest to win a copy of Nelson Johnson's book, which was the inspiration for the HBO series.

Dexter (9pm, Showtime) - Someone outside the department is showing a vested interest in Dexter and Lumen's clandestine activities, forcing Dexter to engage in his own special kind of damage control.

The Walking Dead (10pm, AMC) - In the Season 1 finale, a strange doctor allows Rick and the group access to the CDC facilities in Atlanta, but everything is not as rosy as it seems there

The Hasselhoffs (10pm, A&E) - In the opener of a new series following the life of David Hasselhoff and his two daughters, Taylor and Hayley, the Hoff visits Taylor in Arizona to persuade her to stay in school, and Hayley gets a role on a TV series. Another episode airs at 10:30pm.

Bama Belles (10pm, TLC) - Following the Sarah Palin reality show tonight is a new series following the activities of a group of women residing in rural Dothan, Alabama.

November Christmas (9pm, CBS) - A Hallmark Hall of Fame movie about a Rhode Island community that comes together to create special Halloween and Christmas moments several weeks early for an 8-year-old girl (Emily Alyn Lind) with a life-threatening illness. All that means: tearjerker. Stars Sam Elliott, John Corbett, and Sarah Paulson.

Soul Train Awards (9pm, BET) - Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson host the 23rd annual awards show recognizing soul musicians. Anita Baker and Ron Isley are 2010's Legend Award recipients. Performers include Bruno Mars, Cee-Lo, Erykah Badu, Faith Evans, and Keyshia Cole. There's a red carpet pre-show at 8pm.

Boardwalk Empire (9pm, HBO) - Nucky's fear of the consequences of an impending electoral disaster forces him to make changes in the administrative pecking order. Meanwhile, Jimmy is ambivalent about the health of an ailing family member and Val Alden questions Sebso's commitment to their calling.

Dexter (9pm, Showtime) - While on the trail of Lumen's former attackers, Dexter stumbles onto a possible ally, but when the homicide unit finds evidence linked to one of Dexter and Lumen's earlier victims, they are forced to pull back. Meanwhile, Debrra identifies two more suspects in the Barrel Girls investigation.

The Walking Dead (10pm, AMC) - After the brutal zombie attack at camp, Rick and the group set off for the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, and Jim must face a life-or-death decision. This show gets more intense every week.

Brew Masters (10pm, Discovery) - In this new reality series (premiered last week) chronicling work at a beer brewery, Sam visits Peru to check out an ancient corn-based brew, and the Dogfish staffers whip up "Chicha."

Nicki Minaj: My Time Now (10pm, MTV) - A profile of rapper Nicki Minaj with footage backstage, in the recording studio, and at home with her family in Trinidad.

American Music Awards (8pm, ABC) - Winners at this 38th annual awards gala are determined by fan votes. The most interesting/saddest performance tonight could be New Kids on the Block performing with Backstreet Boys. Also scheduled to perform: Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Bon Jovi, Miley Cyrus, Diddy-Dirty Money, Ke$ha, Ne-Yo, Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Usher.

Sandra Brown's Smoke Screen (8pm, Lifetime Movie) - A reporter (Jaime Pressly) and a fireman (Currie Graham) work together to clear their names after finding themselves, years apart, in the similar situation of waking up next to a dead body and having no recollection of what happened. See our review.

Undercover Boss (9pm, CBS) - The director of development for Subway restaurants goes undercover to finally fulfill his dream of being a sandwich artist.

Sarah Palin's Alaska (9pm, TLC) - The Palins take a road trip to Homer, Alaska, and later, Sarah and Bristol go deepsea fishing. Here's a gallery of outdoorsy photos from the show.

Boardwalk Empire (9pm, HBO) - Nucky circles the wagons in his escalating feud with Arnold Rothstein, who rebukes the D'Alessio gang for a recently botched assassination attempt on Nucky. Also, Van Alden shows signs of cracking as his investigation begins to unravel, and Margaret celebrates the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Dexter (9pm, Showtime) - Dexter and Lumen (Julia Stiles) are on the hunt for a new victim but get sidetracked by the arrival of a surprise visitor. Meanwhile, as a result of fallout from the Santa Muerte case, Debra gets reassigned to the file room, where she is still able to dig up new evidence in the Barrel Girl investigation.

Luther (10pm, BBC America) - Luther is framed for murder in the Season 1 finale, and crazy Alice (left) is the only person he can turn to for help. But he's still not sure he can trust her. Because she's crazy.

The Walking Dead (10pm, AMC) - Things are getting so good! Rick's mission to return to Atlanta may need to be aborted when he runs into some unforeseen problems (problems in addition to the, you know, flesh-eating zombies). Back at camp, Jim appears to be losing it.

BAFTA/Los Angeles Awards (8pm, TV Guide Network) - The British Academy of Film and Television Arts will televise for the first time in the U.S. Betty White will receive the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy.

Simpsons (8pm, Fox) - The 21st Treehouse of Horror episode (which didn't run last Sunday on Halloween?!) includes three haunting tales, including one in which Lisa falls for a vampire (voiced by Daniel Radcliffe) and another in which Marge and Homer's romantic second honeymoon is spoiled by a castaway (voiced by Hugh Laurie).

Sherlock (9pm, UNC-TV) - The final installment this season finds Holmes challenged by a deranged bomber who straps his devices onto innocent people before having them call the detective with a series of difficult mysteries to solve in order to gain their freedom. Mysteries include a 20-year-old murder and a case involving a lost painting worth millions of pounds.

Boardwalk Empire (9pm, HBO) - Nucky wields his influence at the National Republican Convention in Chicago, where he asks an old acquaintance to help him with a sudden crisis in Atlantic City. Meanwhile, Van Alden bristles at his wife's request for an unorthodox procedure.

Keep reading for info on "Dexter," "Luther," "Walking Dead," "Eastbound & Down," and more.

Smallville (8pm, CW) - Lois Lane's mom and dad visit unexpectedly for Thanksgiving. Tensions rise when the General (Michael Ironside) bad-mouths superheroes and informs Clark Kent of his efforts to pass the vigilante registration act. Meanwhile, Rick Flagg plots to kill the General.

CSI: NY (9pm, CBS) - Mac searches for a sniper who is firing from city rooftops. The shootings force him to relive a disturbing abduction case that may have created one of the deadliest foes the CSIs have faced. John Larroquette guest stars.

The Good Guys (9pm, Fox) - A fainting spell confines Dan to his desk at the onset of a case involving a painting that was stolen from a doctor's house.

Operation Wild (9pm, Planet Green) - In the second season premiere, an 8-foot-long crocodile brings an officer to a family's residence. In the 9:30pm ep, rescued baby sea turtles are released back into the wild, and an illegal scallop harvesting is addressed.

Teach: Tony Danza (10pm, A&E) - Tony catches two students cheating, mediates a fight between friends in his class, and is asked to chaperone the homecoming dance.

The Walking Dead (10pm, AMC) - A repeat of Sunday night's stunning premiere episode. Read more here.

Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura (10pm, TruTV) - Jesse investigates the reasons behind the economic downturn.

Sanctuary (10pm, Syfy) - Nikola Tesla sends a distress call to the team and they track him to the Colombian highlands, where they encounter deadly multipedes. Meanwhile, Bigfoot and Kate learn that a long-time friend has been murdered in Old City.

The first thing you need to know about AMC's new zombie series "The Walking Dead" (premiering tonight) is that it's absolutely remarkable. The second thing you need to know is that it's absolutely not for the weak of stomach.

If you're at all squeamish about realistic, graphic depictions of blood and guts -- and undead creatures feasting on blood and guts -- this may not be for you. But if you can stand it, "The Walking Dead" is one of the most thrilling, most engrossing television shows I've seen in quite awhile. Heck, I'd say it's better than most movies I've seen lately.

The exceptional quality of "The Walking Dead" will not surprise fans of other AMC series ("Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "Rubicon"), but the gore might. It's cinematic, it's dramatic, it's suspenseful, and it's superbly written, acted and directed. But it is also very often down. right. gross. 

Okay, perhaps now you've been warned enough about the graphic grossness of "The Walking Dead," and we can get on to other details.

Sherlock: The Blind Banker (9pm, UNC-TV) - If this is half as good as last week's premiere episode, I'll be happy. Tonight, Holmes and Watson investigate a bank break-in that resulted in nothing stolen, but strange graffiti left behind. But the case leads to the discovery of a dead banker inside his locked flat that the police, though not Holmes, suspect was a suicide. Meanwhile, Watson applies for a part-time job and goes on a date, but thanks to Holmes, the evening doesn't go as planned. 

Boardwalk Empire (9pm, HBO) - Nucky decides to renovate his childhood home after his father is injured in a fall, but the memories it dredges up are hard to handle. Also, a fellow veteran helps Jimmy get even with one of Charlie Sheridan's henchmen.

Dexter (9pm, Showtime) - Striving to bring some normalcy back into his life, Dexter figures the answer lies in finding a new serial killer to bring down. His quest gets thrown off course when his troubled new acquaintance (Julia Stiles) requires his help. For me personally, the jury is still out on this Julia Stiles storyline. Meanwhile, Quinn gets a tip about Dexter but isn't sure he can trust his source.

Brothers & Sisters (10pm, ABC) - When Kevin's relationship with Scotty is rocked by Scotty's admission of infidelity, the entire family is drawn into a dramatic confrontation. Also, Sarah and Jean Luc unveil their surprising news.

The Walking Dead (10pm, AMC) - A really superb new horror series from AMC that focuses on survivors in a world overrun by zombies. In this first episode, a sheriff's deputy (Andrew Lincoln, right) emerges from a coma to find flesh-eating "walkers" have taken over. With the help of a few living survivors, the lawman sets out to find his missing wife and son. It's remarkably well-done, but not for the squeamish. Here's more about how good -- and gross -- it is.

Luther (10pm, BBC America) - A young mother is abducted and Luther (Idris Elba) realizes it's the work of an occult writer who was suspected but never charged in the murder of another woman ten years earlier.