With a couple of new shows on today (though one of them being the unknown “X Factor,” which nobody can tell whether it will do the kind of business “American Idol” or even “The Voice” did), a lot of returning shows turn in new seasons, which come with a couple of stunts.
“Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.), fresh off a record breaking number of wins at the Emmys goes an hour in its premiere, with a trip to a dude ranch in Jackson Hole.
Ray Romano pops up on the hour-long opener for “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.) opposite his former TV wife Patricia Heaton.
Mark Valley joins the cast of “Harry’s Law” (NBC, 9 p.m.) which moves to a glossy new office (goodbye shoe store) and pretty much turns into any other David E. Kelley legal saga, with even a Denny Crane substitute. It’s concentrating more on cases, and the first has Alfred Molina up for murder and Jean Smart as an unscrupulous DA with a Nancy Grace style.
The team from “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 9 p.m.) has to face a Senate inquiry, while “CSI” (CBS, 10 p.m.) gets a new supervisor with a kindler, gentler style and a pedigree from “Cheers,” Ted Danson.
The 13th season start for the ever-topical “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC, 10 p.m.) concerns a maid who accuses a high level diplomat of rape, with Anika Noni Rose guest starring.
Coach might find a way to stick around after all on “Survivor: South Pacific” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
It’s already makeover night on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.). But the all-stars have each been through this exercise before. Ashlee Simpson is guest judge.
The well-wrought saga “The Hour” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) reaches its first season finale. It will be returning for a second.
The New York Philharmonic with soprano Daborah Voigt perform Strauss, Wagner and Barber “Live from the Lincoln Center” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
The documentary “Not in Our Town: Light in the Darkness” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) returns to the scene of a hate crime in Long Island in which local teens killed an Ecuadoran worker.
You know a chef with 60 cats is going to need some soup stock some day on “Confessions: Animal Hoarding” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
“100 Orgasms a Day” (Discovery Fitness, 8 p.m.) kicks off a night of “Strange Sex” (Discovery Fitness, 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30 p.m.).
John Noble of “Fringe” hosts “Dark Matters: Twisted But True” (Science Channel, 10 p.m.).
Hip new neighbors move in on a new “Up All Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Hard to avoid James Dean night on Turner Classic Movies, with a 2005 biography, “James Dean: Forever Young” (8 p.m.) followed by his roles in “East of Eden” (9:45 p.m.), “Rebel without a Cause” (midnight) and “Giant” (2 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Jonah Hill, Jane Lynch, Kelly Monaco. The View: Sofia Vergara, Joe McGinniss, Carla Hall, Tony Bennett with k.d. lang. The Talk: Chaz Bono, Lacey Schwimmer, Mario Lopez, Soleil Moon Fry, Molly Shannon & Kris Jenner. Ellen DeGeneres: Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Adam Levine, Maroon 5. Wendy Williams: Roseanne Barr, Levi Johnston.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Taylor Lautner, Minka Kelly, Wilco. Jay Leno: Amy Poehler, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the Kooks. . Jimmy Kimmel: Julie Bowen, Elisha cuthbert, Pitbull. Jimmy Fallon: Jonah Hill, Whitney Cummings, Elbow. Craig Ferguson: James Spader, Juno Temple. Tavis Smiley: Ron Suskind. Carson Daly: Richard Engel, Chris hardwick, Death Cab for Cutie. Jon Stewart: Gov. Mitch Daniels. Stephen Colbert: Daniel Yergin. Conan O’Brien: Jim Parsons, Chris Pratt, Grouplove. Chelsea Handler: Gavin Rossdale, Chris Hardwick, Jen Kirkman.