Guilford native Becki Newton, whose star rose as part of “Ugly Betty,” returns to network TV as one of the recurring characters in “Love Bites” (NBC, 10 p.m.) an hour long anthology series about romance in the modern age, with a new set of guest stars each week – a “Love Boat” for a new century.
Greg Grunberg and Constance Zimmer are also part of the recurring cast and are featured in the premiere, in which he professes his love to Jennifer Love Hewitt, playing herself. Also in the episode, Craig Robinson and Larry Wilmore.
It’s not clear whether Oprah Winfrey will ever get used to not being on afternoon TV and spending her full attention on her cable network, still trying to find its feet. But if she continues to obtain first class documentaries like the one premiering this week, she ought to do just fine. “Sons of Perdition” (OWN, 9 p.m.) is an eye-opening and affecting documentary about three brave teenager boys who escape from the twisted and illegal polygamist cults of Warren Jeffs in Utah.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals with Heat at Mavericks (ABC, 9 p.m.) comes with the second episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” (ABC, 8 p.m.), this one featuring Don Rickles.
TV’s most succinct comedy also has the best cast. The 15 minute “Children’s Hospital” (Adult Swim, midnight), with Rob Corddry, Megan Mullally and Ken Marino, with guest stars like Lisa Edelstein and Jon Hamm, also has a specific target: the absurdity of TV hospital dramas, particularly “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Auditions for “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.) move to Los Angeles.
“NY Ink” (TLC, 10 p.m.) recycles another reality personality as well. Ami James used to run the tattoo shop featured in “Miami Ink.” He’s moved north to open a shop in SoHo, chronicled in his new series.
A new spinoff of the series “The First 48,” concentrates on the initial two days of missing persons investigations. “The First 48: Missing Persons” (A&E, 10 p.m.) follows the work of a specialized unit of the Chicago Police Department. Their first assignment: a 19-year-old straight-A student who has vanished from college.
The finals of the National Spelling Bee (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) doesn’t get a network showcase this year.
“Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) shines a light on repression on gays in other parts of the world.
Instead of king crab, the focus on the new “Swords: Life on the Line” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) are swordfish.
Thursdays on Turner Classic Movies means the kind of monster movies that were featured at drive-in movies. Tonight, the Japanese imports: “Godzilla, King of the Monsters!” (8 p.m.), “Rodan” (9:45 p.m.), “Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster” (11:15 p.m.), “Godzilla vs. Monster Zero” (1 a.m.), “Dinosaurs!” (2:45 a.m.) and “The Valley of Gwangi” (4:15 a.m.).
In baseball, it’s Pirates at Mets (SNY, 1 p.m.). In the French Open (ESPN2, 8 a.m.), it’s the women’s semifinals.
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Ellen Barkin, Buddy Valastro, Haley Reinhart. Gayle King: Paula Patton, Melissa Braverman (rerun). The View: Chris Rock, Bobby Cannavale, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis. The Talk: Betty White, Jack Hanna (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Anne Hathaway, Gary Busey, Jerry Weintraub, Robyn (rerun). Wendy Williams: Tyrese Gibson, George Takei..
Late Talk
David Letterman: Will Ferrell, the Twilight Singers (rerun). Jay Leno: Ed Helms, Chelsea Kane, Iron & Wine (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Jason Sudeikis, Piers Morgan, Lykke Li. Jimmy Fallon: Maya Rudolph, Nick Offerman, Lauryn Hill (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Dick Van Dyke, Kristin Gore. Tavis Smiley: Diane Nash (rerun). Carson Daly: Jason Winer, Oh Land, Soundtrack of Our Lives (rerun). Jon Stewart: Tim Tebow. Stephen Colbert: Salman Khan. Conan O’Brien: Jake Gyllenhaal, Randy Jackson, Panic! At the Disco (rerun). George Lopez: Rainn Wilson, Lil Jon, Panic! At the Disco (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Piper Perabo, Matt Braunger, Josh Wolf, Heather McDonald.