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What to Watch on Thursday: A strong premiere night on NBC

Charlie's Angels (8pm, ABC) - A remake of the 1970s hit show starring Minka Kelly, Annie Ilonzeh, and Rachael Taylor. I'm not a fan. You're better served watching "Community." Or "Big Bang Theory." Or "The X-Factor." Or anything else.

Community (8pm, NBC) - In the Season 3 premiere, the study group wonder if Pierce will join them as they gather at the start of a new semester. Also, Jeff clashes with his biology teacher (Michael K. Williams, "The Wire," "Boardwalk Empire") and is kicked out of class, and Dean Pelton has a new nemesis at Greendale -- John Goodman.

Big Bang Theory (8pm, CBS) - Two new back-to-back episodes open the fifth season. First, Penny hits a low point when she realizes what she's done by sleeping with Raj, and Sheldon becomes leader of the paintball team. Later, Penny and Sheldon clash and Amy is caught in the middle.

Parks and Recreation (8:30pm, NBC) - Leslie is faced with the difficult decision when she decides to run for office in the Season 4 opener. Meanwhile, Ron prepares for the return of his first wife (Patricia Clarkson).

Person of Interest (9pm, CBS) - A new drama following a presumed-dead CIA agent (Jim Caviezel) and a billionaire software genius (Michael Emerson) who try to stop crimes before they happen. Adrienne likes it. Read more.

The Office (9pm, NBC) - In the Season 8 premiere, the staffers discover their names on a mysterious list authored by new Sabre CEO, played by James Spader (right). Paranoia sweeps through the office as everyone speculates about what the list means.

Grey's Anatomy (9pm, ABC) - Meredith is fired in tonight's two-hour Season 8 premiere. I have nothing against "Grey's," but there's better stuff on.

Whitney (9:30pm, NBC) - A new sitcom about about unmarried couple Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex (Chris D'Elia). Is it funny? Adrienne says ...

Prime Suspect (10pm, NBC) - A new series about a NYC homicide detective (Maria Bello) coping with sexism and harassment from colleauges while working murder cases. Also stars Aidan Quinn. It's a remake of Helen Mirren's classic PBS series, but it's quite good. I think you should watch.

The Mentalist (10pm, CBS) - In the fourth season opener, Jane is in prison and must prove that the man he killed was Red John. Lisbon wants Van Pelt to get counseling for having to shoot her fiance when it was discovered he was Red John's inside man. So that Red John thing is over, right?

TV actor and Carolina grad gives his love to Duke!

OK, that headline is a little inflammatory.

Ken Jeong, who plays Senor Chang on NBC's "Community" and reprises his role of Mr. Chow in "The Hangover Part II," which opens Friday, earned his undergraduate degree from Duke and attended medical school at Carolina. (He was raised in Greensboro.)

So during an interview published in the Washington Post, the reporter rightly asked him where his allegiance lie. According to Jen Chaney, he answered Duke. Without hesitation.

"Once you're bit by the blue devil," he notes, "you're a Dukie for life."

Read more about Jeong, and how Duke basketball games can help your stand-up comedy skills.

What to Watch on Thursday: Lives on the line in 'Vampire Diaries' finale

Community (8pm, NBC) - The Season 2 finale concludes last week's paintball storyline. The study group unite to take down new intruders and common enemies during the intense battle.

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - The second season ends with lives hanging in the balance as the consequences of the sacrifice ritual become clear. Meanwhile, during a town square viewing of "Gone with the Wind," Damon recalls memories of Katherine in 1864.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - One of the remaining singers is voted off (the suspense!) and judge Steven Tyler premieres his solo music video "(It) Feels So Good." Also, Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks performs.

CSI (9pm, CBS) - The 11th season concludes with Ray facing serial killer Nate Haskell (Bill Irwin) after he is lured to the house where Haskell's killing spree began.

The First 48 (9pm, A&E) - A Charlotte man is murdered in front of his 9-year-old son.

Bones (9pm, Fox) - Booth puts all his energy into apprehending Jacob Broadsky after an innocent victim is hit by the sniper's bullet, which was meant for Booth.

Parks and Recreation (9:30pm, NBC) - Two new episodes tonight! In the first, Leslie tries to get Ann a job at city hall, which leads to their first fight. Then, Leslie struggles to contain her feelings for Ben when they start out on a road trip to Indianapolis.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Community' gets 'Lost,' '30 Rock' ends season

Community (8pm, NBC) - In the first part of the show's two-part season finale, the students play paintball during a campus picnic. But the competition quickly becomes heated and the emergence of a mysterious man (Josh Holloway, aka Sawyer from 'Lost') signals a change in the game.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Someone is eliminated, but not before judge Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull, and country group Lady Antebellum all perform.

Parks and Recreation (9pm, NBC) - Leslie's ex-best friend (Parker Posey) launches an attack on Pawnee, banning residents from visiting a nearby park in the neighboring city of Eagleton.

Thoroughbred (9:30pm, UNC-TV) - A documentary that explores the world of thoroughbred horses during the year leading up to the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Features looks at grooms, jockeys, trainers, owners, and breeders.

30 Rock (10pm, NBC) - In the Season 5 finale, the 'TGS' gang are ready for summer vacation. Liz lands in the Hamptons for rest and relaxation, but then Tracy moves in next door. Also, lonely Jack latches onto Kenneth for company.

Running Wilde (10pm, FX) - Do you miss Will Arnett's canceled Fox sitcom 'Running Wilde?' Me neither. But they're showing the last unaired episodes anyway -- on FX every Thursday night at 10pm. They actually started last week, but if you missed that one, looks like it's repeating at 10:30 right after tonight's episode -- in which Emmy gets Migo involved when she champions immigrant rights, and this tests Migo's loyalty to Steve.

What to Watch on Thursday: 'Community' trips down memory lane

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Someone is cut loose. Season 7 winner David Cook (who?) and Katy Perry perform.

Community (8pm, NBC) - The group reminisce about fun times in a series of flashbacks, including a trip to a ghost town and a glee club performance. NOTE: All of the NBC comedies are new tonight. The good news: no 'Outsourced.' The bad news: 'The Paul Reiser Show' is on and it's even worse. Everything else is solid. Will Ferrell is back on 'The Office' and his first big task is emceeing the Dundies. On 'Parks & Recreation,' Leslie joins an internet dating site and gets matched with someone she already knows. And in a one-hour episode of '30 Rock,' NBC execs mark 'TGS' for cancelation.

Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Elena makes a new ally in her effort to outwit Klaus, but her actions make Stefan and Damon furious. Also, a flashback  to 1491 reveals the origins of the moonstone curse and Katherine's introduction to Elijah and Klaus.

Royal Wedding of a Lifetime (8pm, Lifetime) - Three straight hours of royal wedding minutiae. The three back-to-back shows examine similarities between Kate Middleton and Princess Diana, Kate's dress options, and wedding cakes.

Bones (9pm, Fox) - Booth calls on Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults), a fellow soldier with a bloodhound's tracking skills, for help with a case involving a 17th-century treasure map and the remains of a maritime museum security guard found in the Florida Everglades.

Archer (10pm, FX) - In the Season 2 finale, Krieger works to finish a top secret project and Archer brings a mysterious former KGB agent home to meet Malory.

What to Watch on Thursday: Can the Harvest Festival save 'Parks & Rec?'

Community (8pm, NBC) - After a few weeks of reruns, new NBC sitcoms are back tonight (except for 'The Office,' which is still a repeat). On 'Community,' Annie plans a baby shower for Shirley, who is desperate to keep Senor Chang at a distance. Elsewhere, a new guy in Britta's life offers a glimpse into his dark past through his poetry. Also noteworthy, 'Parks & Recreation' (9:30pm). The fate of the Parks Department rests on the success of the Harvest Festival (depicted at left), which is plagued by last minute problems, including a Wamapoke tribal leader who threatens to put a curse on the event. Also, Susan Sarandon shows up on '30 Rock.'

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - One singer is eliminated. The Black Eyed Peas and former Idol Lee DeWyze perform.

Destination Truth: Live from Ireland - Search for the Banshee Ghost (8pm, Syfy) - Josh and the team go to Ireland's Duckett's Grove Castle in search of a banshee, a supernatural being said to wail within a dwelling before someone inside is going to die.

Kathy Griffin: 50 and Not Pregnant (9pm, Bravo) - Comedian Kathy Griffin bashes celebs in a Milwaukee stand-up show.

Fairly Legal (10pm, USA) - Kate's engaged friend arranges for a prenup, but the woman's father remains suspicious of her finance. Kate decides to investigate and uncovers something surprising.

Archer (10pm, FX) - Sterling has breast cancer. But before his surgery, he tries to bond with young Seamus, even though he isn't actually the baby's father. Also on his bucket list: a Vegas vacation.

What to Watch on Thursday: Deathbed deceit on 'Community'

Community (8pm, NBC) - Painkiller-addicted Pierce (Chevy Chase) pretends to believe he's dying so that he can bequeath gifts to the study group. But in reality, he's hoping to exact revenge because the group hasn't been treating him with respect. Pierce has definitely taken a dark turn this season, but it's still fun to watch him mess with everyone's head in this episode. Evil genius, indeed.

Perfect Couples (8:30pm, NBC) - Dave wants to feel more manly after attending a "Mad Men" party and Julia obliges. Also, Leigh's cooking gives the gang food poisoning. All of the NBC sitcoms are new tonight.

Bones (9pm, Fox) - When a wedding planner's remains are found in a tanning bed on Valentine's Day, Brennan and Booth find the key to the case may be found on the victim's computer.

CSI (9pm, CBS)  Ray testifies against serial killer Nate Haskell. Meanwhile, Nick receives a call from troubled teen Jason McCann (Justin Bieber) to warn him of impending danger.

Private Practice (10pm, ABC) - Addison returns home to Connecticut for the funeral of her mother. Sam and friends tag along for her breakdown.

Fairly Legal (10pm, USA) - A man who was hit by a truck seeks a settlement with an insurance company, but the man's wife has her own grievance.

What to Watch on Thursday: Ryan O'Neal returns to 'Bones'

Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Damon tries to save Rose after she is bitten by a werewolf, but her increasingly bizarre behavior puts everyone in danger. Meanwhile, Tyler and Caroline reveal their true feelings for each other.

Community (8pm, NBC) - Annie stages a play with an anti-drug message at a local middle school, but the production hits a snag when Pierce lets his creative side run wild. As the conflict intensifies, Senor Chang unexpectedly steps in to restore order.

Bones (9pm, Fox) - Before the final appeal of her death sentence, Heather Taffet, aka The Grave Digger, is hit by a sniper's bullet, but the Jeffersonian team's ensuing investigation could point to either Booth (David Boreanaz) or Max (Ryan O'Neal, right) as a suspect.

Parks & Recreation (9:30pm, NBC) - The flu hits Pawnee, sending Leslie to the hospital and interrupting her preparations for the local Harvest Festival. Elsewhere, Ron and Andy do some male bonding, while Tom spends the day at the spa.

Fairly Legal (10pm, USA) - Kate oversees a settlement between the state and a falsely convicted man who spent 22 years in jail. Though finally free, the man is unable to move forward due to the pain of his past.

Archer (10pm, FX) - Season 2 kicks off in the Swiss ski resort Gstaad, where the ISIS crew has gone to protect a billionaire's teen daughter from kidnappers. One complication is that the girl wants to seduce Archer, who keeps getting caught in compromising situations that make it appear he is the seducer.

What to Watch on Thursday: "Parks & Recreation" returns on NBC

Community (8pm, NBC) - Shirley (left) has big news for the group now that her ex-husband (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is back in her life. "The Office," "30 Rock," and "Outsourced" are also all new tonight.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Auditions continue. Check back on Friday for our take on the new judges.

Perfect Couples (8:30pm, NBC) - This is officially the premiere of this new NBC sitcom, but they already aired an episode several weeks ago, right? It's about three sets of couples struggling with their relationships.

Royal Pains (9pm, USA) - The show returns with Hank and Evan learning more about Eddie after his heart attack.

Piers Morgan Tonight (9pm, CNN) - Ricky Gervais is the guest.

Parks and Recreation (9:30pm, NBC) - We're so happy to welcome this show back for Season 3! Tonight, Leslie (Amy Poehler) enlists Ann's help in persuading auditors (Rob Lowe and Adam Scott) to give the Parks Department more money. Elsewhere, Ron and Andy start coaching youth basketball and April has some surprising news.

Fairly Legal (10pm, USA) - A new show that fits nicely in the USA family. This one is about a lawyer-turned-mediator who tries to save her recently deceased father's firm while dealing with her own personal problems. It's enjoyable and the lead (Sarah Shahi) is likable.

Schools, businesses & communities can win for recycling efforts

Do you know a community, school or business that is committed to recycling? Their efforts could pay off with the American Forest & Paper Association Recycling Awards.

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