Cartoons never fade, they just get reimagined.
After recent remakes of “Looney Tunes,” “He-Man” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” here comes a renewed version of the 1980s “ThunderCats” (Cartoon Network, 8 p.m.).
It comes with more of a reliance on fantasy and magic than the old series, as the pink haired boy leader of Third Earth, Lion-O and his feline troops – Tygra, Cheetara, Panthro, WilyKat and Snarf — fight the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra to protect the Sword of Omens and the Eye of Thundera.
Lion-O is voiced by Will Friedle of “Boy Meets World” and “Batman Beyond.” Taking the voice of Cheetara, surely the most sultry cartoon heroine on the Cartoon Network is Emmanuelle Chiqui – Sloan on “Entourage” (HBO2, 8:30 p.m.).
And Larry Kenney, the voice of Lion-O in the original, returns as the voice of Claudius.
With the ThunderCats on guard for a new generation, can it be long before the return of TigerSharks?
Tonight’s one hour premiere will be followed by a weekly half hour slot Fridays at 8:30 p.m. starting next week.
Plus it’s not the only action cartoon to premiere tonight, with the debut of both “Iron Man” (G4, 11 p.m.) and “Wolverine” (G4, 11:30 p.m.). The two series, showcasing the stars of Marvel comics and big screen adaptations in vivid Japanese anime, feature Adrian Pasdar and Milo Ventimiglia as lead voices in the respective shows.
Big night for Steve Buscemi tonight, with two episodes of his Emmy-nominated performances in “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO Signature, 8 and 9 p.m.) opposite his genealogy search in “Who Do You Think You Are?” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and his brief appearance in “Pulp Fiction” (IFC, 8 p.m.) (he was the waiter dressed as Buddy Holly).
“Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.), renewed Thursday for a 10th season to begin early next year, continues the current season with an episode that includes political strategist Margaret Hoover; Matt Kibbe, president of libertarian advocacy group FreedomWorks; actor Bryan Cranston, former New York governor Eliot Spitzer and financial fraud investigator Harry Markopolos.
On “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.), there’s a repeat of a 2009 Barbara Walters special on children with a disease that causes them to age rapidly. But they shouldn’t be mocked, lest the mocker be caught on “Primetime: What Would You Do?” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Country’s latest star performs and answers fan questions in “Invitation Only: Jason Aldean” (CMT, 10 p.m.).
The action moves to Los Angeles on a new “Torchwood: Miracle Day” (Starz, 10 p.m.).
Some people still don’t realize that Anna Paquin of “True Blood” (HBO2, 11 p.m.) won an Oscar 20 years ago, for her child role in “The Piano” (Sundance, 10 p.m.).
The plus-sized comic takes the stage in “Jon Pinette: Still Hungry” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.).
“Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids” (TLC, 10 p.m.) reaches its season finale. And now they have all these dresses they’ll never wear again.
The monthlong salute to singing cowboys on Turner Classic Movies concludes with a couple from Rex Allen – “Under Mexicali Stars” (8 p.m.) and “The Last Musketeer” (9:15 p.m.). They are followed by two from African-American cowboy star Herb Jeffries with “Two-Gun Man from Harlem” (10:30 p.m.) and “Harlem Rides the Range” (11:45 p.m.) and one from Ken Maynard, “In Old Santa Fe” (12:45 a.m.).
Later comes the crazy cult classic “Symbiopsychotaxplasm: Take One” (TCM, 2 a.m.) which isn’t about singing cowboys, but actors preparing an audition.
Vertical freestyle bicycling, big air skateboarding and freestyle Moto X are part of day 2 of the “X Games” (ESPN, 7 p.m.) from Los Angeles.
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Craig Ferguson, Michael Psilakis. Gayle King: Daniel Holzman, Michael Chernow, Rebecca Black. The View: Mario Cantone, John Pinette, Randy Fenoli. The Talk: Gillian Anderson, Kathy Griffin, Beth Littleford. Ellen DeGeneres: Steve Carell, Alison Sweeney (rerun). Wendy Williams: Kelly Ripa, cast of “The A List. “
Late Talk
David Letterman: Robin Williams, Judy Greer (rerun). Jay Leno: Gillian Anderson, Aziz Ansari, Kelly Rowland. Jimmy Kimmel: John Stamos, Ashley Benson, Owl City (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Brian Williams, Rashad Evans, Big Sean, Ben E. King. Craig Ferguson: Tim Gunn, Ted Alexandro. Tavis Smiley: Barry Manilow (rerun). Carson Daly: Walton Goggins, Dave MacDowell, Soundtrack of Our Lives (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Bill & Giuliana Rancic, Dov Davidoff, Heather McDonald, Ross Mathews (rerun).