Thursday TV: ‘Wham! Bam,’ Two ‘Big Bangs’

The efforts to get a Muslim superhero comic off the ground is displayed on “Wham! Bam! Islam!” making its debut on the tenth season debut of  “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).

It’s the dream of Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa to create a superhero team that exhibits the 99 tributes of Allah, hence the name of the proposed comic book, “The 99.” Filmmaker Isaac Solataroff is there to follow his various pitches. Don’t hold your breath for the blockbuster 3D adaptation.

After being bumped by a rain delayed game in Detroit Wednesday, that night’s episode of “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.) is moved to tonight (and the episode that would have run tonight will now run on Sunday – if there isn’t a game seven of the rain-soaked American League Championship Series).

A double dose of “Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 and 8:30 p.m.), with Wil Wheaton and Brent Spiner of “Star Trek” making an appearance in the first, and a rerun in the second, filling the place held — for two whole weeks — by “How to be A Gentleman.” That new show failed, production was halted and the remaining episodes will be played on the black hole of network programming known as Saturday night. Next week in the 8:30 slot: the already once-postponed season finale of the all purpose space-filler, “Rules of Engagement.”

A final competition among the five remaining designers on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) has them putting together mini-collections that reflect their style; those who survive will compete in the Fashion Week showdown.

Wynton Marsalis celebrates his 50^th birthday (which really isn’t until the 18^th) on “Live from Lincoln Center” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).

The intersection of drug cartels and the border is the focus of the new series “Bordertown: Laredo” (A&E, 10 p.m.).

“The Secret Circle” (The CW, 9 p.m.) was one of three new shows given a full season pickup on The CW.

A glimpse of Frank’s disco days is provided on a new “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FX, 10 p.m.).

There’s a housewarming party on “Community” (NBC, 8 p.m.), camping on “Parks and Recreation” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.), a garden party on “The Office” (NBC, 9 p.m.) and some more friskiness on “Whitney” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.).

Debbie Allen guest stars as Jackson’s mother on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 9 p.m.).

Senior prank night can get out of hand on “Vampire Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.).

The opposite of “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” may be “Secretly Pregnant” (Discovery Health, 10 p.m.), a new series in which the women know they’re with child, but don’t want others to know.

Deena is after Pauly on a new “Jersey Shore” (MTV, 10 p.m.), which oddly runs opposite “Jerseylicious” (Style, 10 pm.).

It’s Mark Twain night on Turner Classic Movies, with the 1973 “Tom Sawyer” (8 p.m.), the 1939 “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (10 p.m.), “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” (midnight), “The Prince and the Pauper” (2 a.m.) and “The Adventures of Mark Twain” (4:15 a.m.) with Frederic March as Samuel Clemens.

Another American writer is also honored: Stephen King, with both “Christine” (AMC, 8 p.m.) and “Carrie” (AMC, 10 p.m.).

I suppose you wouldn’t be interested in occupying the film “Wall Street” (Cinemax, 6:45 p.m.).

Its director, Oliver Stone, also pops up, as himself, interviewing leaders from South and Central America for his documentary “South of the Border” (Showtime, 8 p.m.).

Too soon? “Halloween II” (TMC, 9:40 p.m.).

Texas could win the whole thing tonight in the ACLS Game 5 of Rangers at Tigers (Fox, 4 p.m.). The Cardinals lead the NCLS 2-0; tonight’s Game 3 is Milwaukee at St. Louis (TBS, 8 p.m.).

Daytime Talk

Regis and Kelly: Taylor Swift, Lauren Alaina, Jerry O’Connell. The View: Stephen Lang., Chynna Phillips. The Talk: Pauley Perrette, Il Volo. Ellen DeGeneres: Kate Walsh, Adam Scott. Wendy Williams: Simon Cowell, Tracy Dimarco, Olivia Blois Sharpe, Gigi Liscio.

Late Talk

David Letterman: Bill O’Reilly, Martina McBride. Jay Leno: Zachary Levi, Gloria Estefan. Jimmy Kimmel: John Goodman, Evanescence. Jimmy Fallon: Cedric the Entertainer, Julianne Hough, Joshua Topolsky, the Moody Blues. Craig Ferguson: Kathy Bates, Anthony Head. Tavis Smiley: Jeffrey Sachs. Carson Daly: Chris Hyes, Justin Townes Earle, the Kills. Jon Stewart: Bill O’Reilly (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Ken Burns (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Simon Helberg, Dropkick Murphys. Chelsea Handler: Gloria Steinem, Bobby Lee, Fortune Feimster, Chris Hardwick.