If any comedy needed a reboot it was “Community” (NBC, 8 and 8:30 p.m.), which was kind of spinning out after creator Dan Harmon was removed from the show for a season. His return now comes after two of its main characters, played by Joel McHale and Chevy Chase, have supposedly graduated and the rest of the study group had been scattered to the wind.
It takes a little effort, then, to get McHale’s Jeff Winger character back to Greendale Community College, with the idea that he’s going to sue the school. Before the end of the first episode, though, he’s back as a teacher, and his pals are remarking about a similarly errant season of “Scrubs.” No other show comes packed with the kind of inside jokes or cultural remarks, such that one class that is supposed to determine whether Nic Cage is any good. The genius move may be in getting Jonathan Banks (the unforgettable Mike from “Breaking Bad”) as a crusty old teacher who takes him under his wing.
Together, they’re going to make sure such a great comic cast and energy won’t be wasted again. And alongside NBC’s other ho-hum comedies, it emerges second only to “Parks and Rec.”
Networks continue to stumble in trying to reproduce cable successes. The latest proof is the eight-episode miniseries “The Assets” (ABC, 10 p.m.), a spy drama that isn’t just not as good as “Homeland,” it’s not as good as “The Americans.” Though it has a basis in a real case, that of CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames, it seems a completely fake recreation of Reagan-era cold war tactics in cartoonish ways. Jodie Whittaker, who was so great this summer in “Broadchurch,” is the mousy agent at the center of the caper; the only other asset is the late Peter Jennings popping up on newscasts to set the geopolitical stage.
A second season comes for the chef competition that’s modeled after “The Voice” in that contestants are judged on “The Taste” (ABC, 8 p.m.) of one dish without seeing the chef. As in the singing show, the power is in the judges and mentors, led by Anthony Bourdain and sultry Nigella Lawson — two huge stars on a panel that also includes Ludo Lefebvre and the new addition, Marcus Samuelsson. There are the usual teary stories,high hopes and bitter disappointments among those who cook. But by the end of the two hour season premiere, they will each have chosen their four-chef teams to go forward.
It’s a potential crossover situation on “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.) when Penny lands a role on “NCIS.” All the comedies are new tonight, including “The Millers” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.), “Sean Saves the World” (NBC, 9 p.m.), “The Crazy Ones” (CBS, 9 p.m.), “The Michael J. Fox Show” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.) and “Two and a Half Men” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.).
There are also new episodes of “Elementary” (CBS, 10 p.m.), in which Moriarty pops up again, and “Parenthood” (NBC, 10 p.m.), in which all kinds of things happen, from a freakout to a fight, all while the characters are all talking atop one another.
The big college football game tonight is the Sugar Bowl with Oklahoma vs. Alabama (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
Karena Dawn and Katrina Hodgson of the web series “Tone It Up” get their own new cable series “Toned Up” (Bravo, 10:30 p.m.) that follows their lives as friends and roommates. Its debut follows new episodes of “The Millionaire Matchmaker” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) and “Courtney Loves Dallas” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
The bad action star turned bloated sheriff could only happen in a place with such questionable police leadership as Maricopa County, Ariz. So “Steven Seagal: Lawman” (Reelz, 10 p.m.) is back in what they’re calling “The lost season.” Quick, somebody go lose it again.
The poor man’s “Tosh 2.0” returns with the fourth season of “Ridiculousness” (MTV, 10 p.m.) with Rob Dyrdek.
Eel season begins on “Cold River Cash” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
Now that it’s a new year, it may be time to figure out “How to Survive the End of the World” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.). Then two episodes of the new “Do or Die” (National Geographic, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) explain how to deal with a rampaging bull or survive a skydiving accident.
A sixth season starts on “Mysteries at the Museum” (Travel, 9 p.m.).
Not sure where the fitness and health is in the lurid tales of “Unfaithful” (Discovery Fitness & Health, 9 and 10 p.m.). But I suppose there is discovery.
Turner Classic Movies begins a month-long, 62-film Thursday night salute to Joan Crawford, whose career started so early the five of the films are silent: “The Unknown” (8 p.m.), “Lady of the Night” (1:45 a.m.), “The Boob” (3 a.m.), “Spring Fever” (4:15 a.m.) and “Across to Singapore” (5:45 a.m.). But there is also “Our Dancing Daughters” (9 p.m.), “Our Modern Maidens” (10:30 p.m.) and “Our Blushing Brides” (midnight).
Men’s college hoops includes Wisconsin at Northwestern (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), St. Mary’s, Calif., at Gonzaga (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) and California at Stanford (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Reruns all: Kelly & Michael: Elton John, Sofia Vergara. The View: Seth Green, Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, Mark Halperin & John Heilman, Brad Garrett. The Talk: Donnie Wahlberg, Ree Drummond, Marie Osmond. Ellen Degeneres: Kelly Clarkson, tWitch. Wendy Williams: Bellamy Young, Bahar Takhtehchian.
Late Talk
All reruns: David Letterman: Stephen Colbert Ian McKellen, Chvrches. Jay Leno: Blake Shelton, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Imelda May. Jimmy Kimmel: Colin Farrell, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Megadeth. Jimmy Fallon: Alec Baldwin, Kevin Connolly, Chris Cornell and the Avett Brothers. Craig Ferguson: Will Arnett, Pau Gasol. Carson Daly: Flula, METZ. Tavis Smiley: Nia Long. Arsenio Hall: Kelly Rowland, Dan Bucatinsky, Luenell. Conan O’Brien: Ron Burgandy, Jessie Ware. Chelsea Handler: Adam Scott, John Caparulo, Arden Myrin, Ben Gleib.