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What to Watch on Thursday: Finales for 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Scandal,' 'Community, others

Community (8pm, NBC) - Three new episodes of 'Community' close out the season. First, Pierce fights for his inheritance and the study group tag along for support. Then (9) the group plan a sneak attack to loosen Chang's grip on Greendale. Finally (9:30), Jeff represents Shirley in a dispute with Pierce, who in turn, retains the services of Jeff's former colleague.

Missing (8pm, ABC) - It's finally over tonight. And no renewal. Will Becca save her son? Of course she will.

30 Rock (8:30pm, NBC) - In the Season 6 finale, Jack sets out to prove his marriage is still strong, so he plans a vow renewal with Liz officiating.

Grey's Anatomy (9pm, ABC) - Season 8 ends with the doctors fighting to save themselves and each other after last week's plane crash. Also, Bailey and Ben make a decision about their relationship and Teddy gets a tempting offer.

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - A psychologist is in trouble and the FBI closes in on Reese in the Season 1 finale.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - Season 1 finale: When Quinn finds herself in a fix that's both tragic and compromising, Olivia and the team rush to help. Also, Cyrus turns to Olivia when an announcement shakes Fitz's presidency to its core.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - In the fourth-season finale, Jane deals with his latest loss to Red John by hitting rock bottom in Las Vegas and hooking up with a cocktail waitress.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - In part one of a two-part season finale -- who are we kidding! series finale -- truths about Britten's life-altering accident begin to surface as menacing conspiracies jeopardize both of his worlds. Britten also becomes a target when he turns vigilante and pursues Det. Hawkins.

What to Watch on Thursday: Deaths on 'Community' and 'Parks and Rec'

Community 8pm, NBC) - The death of a classmate gives Britta a chance to play counselor to the others by using the psychology lessons she's recently learned, but Jeff appears unaffected by the loss. 

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Klaus tries to leave town with Elena, but he encounters resistance from a new enemy. Meanwhile, Bonnie gets Abby to help her with a difficult and dangerous spell. 

Parks and Recreation (9:30pm, NBC) - Leslie embarks on a bus tour on the final day of her campaign, but she becomes distracted by the sudden death of an important person in Pawnee. Elsewhere, Andy investigates a security threat, while Chris discovers a surprising cure for his depression. 

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - The disappearance of Amanda Tanner gives Huck an opportunity to dust off his espionage skills to find out where she is. Meanwhile, the firm defends a pilot's reputation from accusations after a commercial plane crashes with no survivors.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - Lisbon encounters her ex-fiancé while investigating a surfer's homicide, and Cho has doubts about continuing his romance with Summer. 

Independent Lens: Circo (10pm, UNC-TV) - Filmmaker Aaron Schock follows the proprietors of a struggling, family-run Mexican circus as they travel the back roads of the countryside in hopes of recapturing the success of the show's earlier years. 

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Community' channels 'Law & Order'

Community (8pm, NBC) - I am so excited for this "Law & Order" spoof. When the group's science project is smashed, they launch a hunt for the culprit and hold a trial, over which the reluctant Professor Kane presides. But Jeff soon realizes there's much more to the story than anyone realizes. Chung-chung!!

30 Rock (8:30pm, NBC) - "30 Rock" tackles their second live episode (I didn't care for the first) with a plot that has Kabletown breaking the news that "TGS" will no longer be live. Liz and Jack embrace the change, believing a cheap, taped show will mean fewer headaches.

The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant (9pm, CNBC) - A look at Costco, the warehouse chain that racks up $88 billion in annual sales. Do customers really save money by purchasing in bulk, or simply consume more? Read Adrienne's review.

Touch (9pm, Fox) - Martin's search for Teller's workshop results in another professor's poker winnings. Meanwhile, a young Italian man tries to find the love of his life.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - Jane and the CBI investigate the death of a man whose charred body is found outside a cabaret where female impersonators perform.  

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - Following a surprising development in the Amanda Tanner case, former friends Olivia and Cyrus disagree and Cyrus tries to help in a probe of the personal lives of Olivia and her team.

What to Watch on Thursday: A stranger on the 'Community' campus

Community (8pm, NBC) - Annie, Troy and Abed try to help Britta avoid an old flame who has returned to town, while Jeff and Shirley set out to catch a glimpse of the mystery man.

6149 Days (8pm, WRAL) - A documentary profiling Greg Taylor, a Cary man who spent 17 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Regular CBS programming can be recorded overnight on WRAL starting at 1:37 a.m.

Cold Blood (9pm, Investigation Discovery) - The 1984 murder of copy editor Deborah Sykes in Winston-Salem is examined, along with the hunt for her murderer. The man convicted of her murder, Darryl Hunt, was exonerated after 20 years in prison.

Touch (9pm, Fox) - Martin's laptop is stolen on the day of an important evaluation for Jake, leading to the elder Bohm getting involved in a Salvadoran woman's mission to avenge her family's death.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - Another really good drama is in serious danger of being canceled. You people make me tired.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - When a D.C. madam comes under investigation, the team must keep her client list from being made public. Meanwhile, Quinn has difficulties with the president's former intern.

What to Watch on Thursday: Elvis, Elmo and the Titanic

Titanic's Final Mystery (8pm, Smithsonian) - A new documentary investigates a century of theories behind the sinking of the Titanic and uncovers new forensic evidence that proves the most likely theory for the disaster.

God is the Bigger Elvis (8pm, HBO) - A documentary about a famous movie star from the late 1950s and early 1960s who walks away from Hollywood at the height of her fame to become a cloistered Benedictine nun. Here's more on Dolores Hart's fascinating story.

Community (8pm, NBC) - The war between Abed and Troy intensifies, prompting Jeff to try to negotiate a truce between the former best friends while the rest of the group choose sides.

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - The Machine produces five numbers linked to New York's crime families, which prompts Reese and Finch to suspect that Elias has plans for his competition.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - An entertaining new series in which a former White House communications director, played by Kerry Washington (right), runs a Washington, D.C., crisis-management firm. Here's my "Scandal" review.

Being Elmo (10pm, UNC-TV) - This Independent Lens documentary, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, tells the life story of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind the popular Sesame Street character, Elmo. It's pretty enchanting. Adrienne has a full review.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - Michael tries to end a delicate hostage crisis and negotiates with a patient who is threatening to blow up a mental hospital. Meanwhile, his sleepless nights adversely affect his life and work.

What to Watch on Thursday: Scotty McCreery returns to perform on "Idol"

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Garner's Scotty McCreery returns to "Idol" tonight and performs a song from his hit album.

Community (8pm, NBC) - A sandwich shop opens in the cafeteria, drawing the ire of Shirley, Pierce and Britta, who scheme to close the place down.

Touch (9pm, Fox) - Martin discovers that a homeless man's obsession with numbers is similar to Jake's, and he undertakes a series of tasks that involve African boys in a dance competition and a woman at a music festival. 

Awake (10pm, NBC) - Michael (Jason Isaacs, right) tracks a serial killer, but an FBI agent says he's as a suspect in his own case. Meanwhile, Hannah (Laura Allen, right) considers moving to Oregon and Michael's therapists believe the change will help him heal and put an end to his dreams.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - The investigation of a casino worker's homicide reunites Jane with a magician he used to tour with when he was a practicing psychic.

Mary Mary (10pm, WeTV) - The debut of a new reality series following the gospel duo Mary Mary. In this first episode, a big Thanksgiving gig forces the women to make tough choices. The regular timeslot for this series will be Thursdays at 9. Check out Adrienne's review.

You're Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don't (2am, UNC-TV) - Set your DVRs for this Indpendent Lens documentary examining Alzheimer's disease via the day-to-day life of a  nursing home resident.

What to Watch on Thursday: New NBC comedies, 'Touch' begins on Fox

Community (8pm, NBC) - Jeff is debilitated by his narcissism, which skyrockets when his confidence is boosted by anti-anxiety drugs and regular visits to a shrink. Also, the gang try to help Abed pay of his debt from a celebrity-impersonator habit. Also tonight, two new episodes of "30 Rock" (the 9:30 ep has Weird Al Yankovich) and a new "Up All Night" featuring Henry Winkler as Ava's dad.

Missing (8pm, ABC) - In the second episode of Ashley Judd's "special gift to America" (her own description of this series from a "Live with Kelly" interview), Becca makes a deal with the head of French Intelligence while searching for her missing son. Believe it or not, I'm still not a fan of this show even after Judd called me a "brat" on Twitter. 

Touch (9pm, Fox) - Fox previewed this episode of the new Keifer Sutherland (left) drama back in January, but it starts for real tonight. Possibly the same episode from the preview but record it anyway, just in case.

Project Runway All Stars (9pm, Lifetime) - A winner is picked in the season finale, and Tommy Hilfiger appears as a guest judge.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - A purported suicide during a high-end yacht party leads Michael to an encounter with Rex's ex-babysitter, Kate. In his other realm, Michael happens upon Kate again, but this time she appears as a suspect.

Archer (10pm, FX) - In the conclusion of the Season 3 finale, Archer and his ISIS colleagues travel to the final frontier to prevent a catastrophe aboard the International Space Station.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Community' returns, 'Missing' debuts

Missing (8pm, ABC) - Becca Winstone, played by Ashley Judd, is a former CIA operative who searches for her son when he disappears while studying abroad in Italy. I wish this was better than it is. I really do. Here's my review.

Community (8pm, NBC) - It's back! Andre (Malcolm Jamal Warner) and Shirley plan to remarry, throwing Annie and Britta into wedding-planning mode. Meanwhile, Jeff prepares a wedding speech and Troy and Abed practice acting normal. All NBC comedies are new tonight.

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Damon recalls murders from 1912 that are eerily similar to a present-day crime spree. Meanwhile, Elena and Matt try to prove that Dr. Fell is a killer.

Project Runway All-Stars (9pm, Lifetime) - In part one of the two-part season finale, the final three designers race against time to spin out their signature lines for a red carpet VIP show.

Awake (10pm, NBC) - Michael's parallel realities begin spinning into chaos when his son is kidnapped by an on-the-lam convict who has a connection to Michael's past. In his other dimension, Michael searches for a missing teenage boy. Developments in both worlds cause others to doubt his sanity.

Archer (10pm, FX) - In part one of the Season 3 finale, Archer and his ISIS colleagues boldly go to the final frontier to prevent a catastrophe aboard the International Space Station.

Jersey Shore (10pm, MTV) - In the Season 5 finale, Mike starts a rumor about Denna's sister and Pauly and Vinny pull another prank on the roommates.

'Community' animated shorts unveiled today

"Community" doesn't return to the NBC lineup until March 15, but starting today, Hulu.com has released the first of three new animated shorts (about 2 minutes each) based on the show. Parts 2 and 3 will appear on the Hulu site on March 8 and 9, respectively.

The three animated clips (titled "Abed's Master Key" parts I, II & III) star the animated alter egos of Abed, Britta, Dean Pelton, and others from the show. The plot of the series is that Dean Pelton hires Abed as his temporary assistant, but Abed abuses the power of having a Greendale Master Key.

The shorts were written by Dave Seger and Tom Kauffman. The first installment is below.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Grimm' bonus on the schedule

Community (8pm, NBC) - In the show's annual Christmas episode, Greendale's choir director (Taran Killam) recruits the study group to fill in for the sidelined glee club. Though initially skeptical, the gang soon get in the spirit for the school's Christmas pageant.

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - Detective Carter is identified as a person of interest and Reese and Finch must save her without exposing themselves.

Bones (9pm, Fox) - The team discovers the death of a storm chaser may not have been caused by the tornado he ws following. Meanwhile, Booth becomes very  protective of Brennan at home and at work.

Grimm (10pm, NBC) - This is a new time for "Grimm," which is good for "Grimm" fans but sad for fans of "Prime Suspect," which used to sit in this spot. Tonight, a high school teacher's death kicks off an investigation that leads Nick (Dave Giuntoli, right) to a troubled musical prodigy. Another new episode of "Grimm" will air tomorrow night at 9 in its normal timeslot.

The Great Big American Auction (10pm, ABC) - I'm not exactly sure how he's qualified for this, but Ty Pennington helps the owners of rare collectibles uncover their items' worth, and the top items are then put in a bidding war at an auction.

Burn Notice (10pm, USA) - Jesse calls in the team to help stop a smuggler from bringing blood diamonds into the country. If I had to come up with one word to explain why I lost interest in this show, I'd point to the first one in this blurb.

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