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What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Idol' youngsters make us feel old

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - In their  annual effort to make viewers feel really old, tonight 'American Idol' will have finalists perform songs from the year they were born. Garner's Scotty McCreery was born in 1993, so I came up with a few suggestions for him: "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-N-Effect,  "Whoomp! (There It Is)" by Tag Team, or the club hit "What is Love" by Haddaway (that's right, 1993 was not a good year for popular music). Actually, my serious prediction for Scotty would be something like "Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart  or "To Love Somebody" by Michael Bolton  (both remakes). Our 'Idol' blogger Thad Ogburn has his own (more realistic) predictions. Check out his "Scotty Watch" and submit your own suggestions for what all the 'Idol' hopefuls should sing tonight. Then tune in to see what happens.

Criminal Minds (9pm, CBS) - Prentiss prepares for a final showdown with her nemesis, Ian Doyle, and the team asks J.J. to return and assist them as they try to help Prentiss.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Three robbers, led by an aging ex-con who has emphysema and a history with Art, hold up a bank while Winona is in it. Meanwhile, the marshals question Boyd and Ava about the robbery at the coal mine office.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - It's down to four chefs in the Bahamas, where the remaining contestants must cater a high-end lunch party for a yacht club's 80th anniversary and serve up Bahamian delicacies, including conch, which they themselves must first catch in the ocean. Lorena Garcia is the guest judge.

Hot in Cleveland (10pm, TV Land) - Elka tries to persuade Max (Carl Reiner) to spend the winter in Cleveland instead of going to Florida. Meanwhile, Victoria falls for a man (Gregory Harrison) she meets during a TV interview.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Scotty picks his favorite, Taiwan takes on Sheen

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The Season 10 finalist (yes, that includes Scotty McCreery, left) perform songs by their favorite artists. What are the odds Scotty chooses Josh Turner?

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - All of the other ABC sitcoms are repeats tonight, but on 'Mr. Sunshine,' Roman has no place to stay so Ben reluctantly takes him in, and Crystal dislikes an ice-dancing group performing at the arena.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (10pm, CBS) - A sniper murders Chicagoans and when the team hunts the killer, the killer targets Mick.

Hot in Cleveland (10pm, TV Land) - Joy pins her greencard hopes on a homeless man (Jon Lovitz). Meanwhile, Melanie dates a basketball coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers who's still reeling from LeBron James' departure, and Victoria lands a job on a local news program.

Justified (10pm, FX) - A state task force probing organized crime in Harlan County borrows Raylan to figure out who's cashing Walt McCready's benefit checks. Also, Boyd gets involved in a mine payroll scheme, and Mags Bennett shows her evil side.  

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The final five head to the Bahamas where each participates in a culinary duel against the person who won on their previous season of 'Top Chef."

Charlie Sheen's Winningest Moments (10:30pm, Spike) - A half-hour special featuring a countdown of Sheen's most "winning" moments recreated through Taiwanese animation.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Ghosts and models are back in the lineup

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Tune in to see if Garner's Scotty McCreery learns the words to this week's song.

America's Next Top Model (8pm, CW) - The 16th season begins. That's about all there is to say about that.

Ghost Hunters (9pm, Syfy) - In the Season 7 premiere,  the TAPS gang looks for the ghost of a hotel owner and also probes a tavern and restaurant in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Shedding for the Wedding (9pm, CW) - The premiere of a new reality show in which nine couples lose weight while competing for a dream wedding.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Jay and Gloria sort things out when a big fight between Claire and Phil has Phil in the dark about the reason for the fight. Also, Jay buys Gloria a karaoke machine and Cameron asks Mitchell and Luke for help with an important fundraiser.

Venom: Nature's Killer (9pm, UNC-TV) - This episode of Nova chronicles the efforts of two venom scientists to collect samples from the world's deadliest species before the creatures die off in order to study to the natural poisons, which could provide the building blocks for a new wave of advanced medicines.

Justified (10pm, FX) - A church bus containing a shipment of painkillers is hijacked, and Boyd is considered the likely suspect. Roots-rock singer Dave Alvin performs in a sequence at a roadhouse, where Raylan is having a tryst with Winona.

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - An art patron (LuAnn de Lesseps, aka The Countess from "Real Housewives of New York") finds a body, and when detectives question the murdered young woman's good friend and associates, they uncover an antagonistic work environment filled with grown-up bullies.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The remaining chefs break out the deep fryers and tubs of butter to impress guest judge Paula Deen.

NOTE: WRAL will air the State vs. Carolina basketball game tonight at 9pm, so if you want to see the two "Criminal Minds" shows, you'll need to set your recorder to start after the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" ends, or go online tomorrow. 

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Criminal Minds' spinoff debuts, 'Survivor' returns

Survivor: Redemption Island (8pm, CBS) - The 22nd season begins with 18 castaways, including Russell Hantz and "Boston" Rob Mariano, arriving in Nicaragua and learning that ousted players are sent to Redemption Island where they live in exile and are given a chance to re-enter the game if they can defeat other banished players in head-to-head competitions.

Quadrangle (9pm, HBO2) - A documentary about two couples who fall in love and move their families in together in 1969 New York. Fascinating. Read more.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Cameron is upset when Fizbo the clown is cut from the guest list for Lily's princess-themed birthday party, but the invitees do include Mitchell's mom (Shelly Long), who shows up with Claire's high school boyfriend (Matt Dillon).

Mr. Sunshine (9:30pm, ABC) - Nick Jonas plays a teen idol scheduled to perform at the Sunshine Arena. Kathy Najimy also guest stars.

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - The host of a TV show that spotlights predators receives threats to her safety, and this reawakens her hunt for her sister's abductor. Debra Messing ("Will & Grace") guest stars.

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (10pm, CBS) - The premiere episode of the "Criminal Minds" spinoff series that follows an elite group of the Behavioral Analysis Unit using unique and aggressive methods to hunt criminals. Stars Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Raylan and Tim transport a pregnant federal prisoner to a doctor's appointment, but things don't go as planned. Meanwhile, young Loretta McCready learns that she'll now be living with Mags Bennett, and Boyd Crowder tries to go straight, taking a job in a coal mine.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs bake cookies in an effort to impress Sesame Street residents Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Telly.

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.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Psych' finale, adoption awareness

A Home for the Holidays (8pm, CBS) - The 12th annual event to raise awareness of adoption features performances by Katy Perry, Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, Ricky Martin, and Nelly.

Undercovers (8pm, NBC) - This is random. An unaired episode of the canceled NBC spy drama. In this one, Steven and Samantha go on a mission to track down stolen currency plates that could be used to make counterfeit money, and must work with Steven's estranged brother. I'd opt  for "Human Target" if I were you. Speaking of which . . .

Human Target (8pm, Fox) - When an ordinary middle-class family is inexplicably targeted for murder, the team takes up residence in the suburbs to investigate. Chance and Guerrero go undercover at a stale corporate campus, while Winston joins a book club and Ames supervises a teen party.

Psych (10pm, USA) - In the fifth season finale, Mr. Yin resurfaces and kidnaps a woman. To gain insight on the kidnapper, Gus and Shawn ask Yang (Ally Sheedy, right) to help them investigate.

Top Chef: All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs prepare a holiday stuffing dish without kitchen tools or knives, and later cater a bash for the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

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.

What to Watch on Wednesday: 'Terriers' finale, new season of 'Top Chef'

Law & Order: SVU (9pm, NBC) - Benson continues looking after a young boy entrusted in her care while also searching for his unstable, drug-addicted mother (Maria Bello). The woman's name turns up in a rape case, which Cragen assigns Fin and Munch to investigate. This is the episode that works in elements of the Duke University student's PowerPoint presentation of sexual conquests, which went viral this summer. Read more about that here.

Terriers (10pm, FX) - In the Season 1 finale, Hank, still reeling from a tragedy, is running out of ideas as he struggles to expose the Ocean Beach scandal. Meanwhile, Britt must face the consequences of his rash behavior. I'll say it again: this was the best new show of the fall TV season, and very likely to get canceled. That's a real shame.

Grammy Nominations Concert Live (10pm, CBS) - LL Cool J hosts this show announcing nominations for the 2011 Grammy Awards in key categories. Performances by Justin Bieber, B.o.B., Miranda Lambert, Bruno Mars, and Katy Perry.

Top Chef All-Stars (10pm, Bravo) - Season eight of "Top Chef" begins with the 18-person contestant pool comprised of former show hopefuls. Their first challenge is to re-create the ill-fated dish that caused their elimination during their previous stint on the show.  

Psych (10pm, USA) - A special extended episode pays homage to the cult classic show "Twin Peaks" with a Laura Palmer-esque murder and a reunion of "Twin Peaks" cast members. Read more about the special episode.

Storage Wars (10pm, A&E) - A new reality series following a team of professional buyers who buy contents of repossessed storage units sight-unseen. The first episode features the contents of a unit once belonging to rap magnate Sug Knight. Second episode at 10:30.

Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (10pm, VH1) - Season 4 has a new batch of celebrities hoping to get sober: Leif Garrett, Jason Davis, Janice Dickinson, Jeremy London, Frankie Lons, Rachel Uchitel, and Jason Wahler.

'Top Chef' returns with delectable all-star edition

After assaulting us with that crazy train disaster known as "Top Chef: Just Desserts," Bravo owes us big time.

And it looks like they know it, because tonight's debut of Season 8 of "Top Chef" is an All-Star edition that has the potential to be the show's best season ever.

Seriously, how great does this sound: The producers have brought back 18 of the best non-champion egos -- I mean, contestants -- from the past 7 seasons to compete once more for the top prize. Plus, über-grump Anthony Bourdain joins the judge's table alongside Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and host Padma Laskshmi.

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