The new “Bent” (NBC, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) is not based on the 1979 play on persecution during Nazi Germany (that would be “Hogan’s Heroes”).
Instead, it’s a harmless show about a divorcee and a contractor flirting and fighting while the kitchen project never gets done. It seems to have a little energy, though, from “Spin City” producer Tad Quill and especially from strong leads from Amanda Peet and David Walton. The supporting cast is pretty good, too, with J.B. Smoove, Jeffrey Tambor among them. You won’t learn anything new, but it’s fairly smartly written, doesn’t have a laugh track, and sparkles compared to other Wednesday night NBC stuff like “Are You There, Chelsea?” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
Mostly, it seems NBC isn’t into it, giving it zero promotion and playing two episodes at a time as if to get it out of the way quickly.
Also new tonight; “Duck Dynasty” (A&E, 10 p.m.), which has nothing to do with Unca Scrooge or “Duck Tales” but a family in Louisiana who made millions on a duck call business. The bearded clan would much rather be out hunting though. Naturally, the theme song is from lookalikes ZZ Top.
The Top 10 on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) choose from the Billy Joel songbook. So who’s going to try “We Didn’t Start the Fire”?
From the producers of “Celebrity Rehab” comes “Couples Therapy” (VH1, 10 p.m.). Therapist Dr. Jenn Berman still concerns herself with a delicious brand of B-level celebrities that “Rehab” would have – Angelina from the first season of “Jersey Shore,” Vienna and Kasy from “Bachelor Pad,” rapper DMX, the former Mrs. Hulk Hogan among them. It comes alongside the “40 Greatest Celebrity Feuds” (VH1, 7 p.m.), now starting its third season
Also new on VH1 tonight is “House of Consignment” (VH1, 10 p.m.), following a luxury online consignment clothing store in Chicago.
And “American Digger” (Spike, 10 p.m.) is a new show about amateur archeology and treasure hunting team led by a former professional wrestler Ric Savage.
Selita and Pooch hall co-host the annual “Rip the Runway” (BET, 10 p.m.) fashion event that is also the comeback platform for Lil’ Kim. Also performing: Estelle, B.o.B., Diggy Simmons, Jeremih, Meek Mill, Wale, Araab Muzik and Robin Thicke.
The rapper Eve returns to the sitcom world with a role as a stripper on “Whitney” (NBC, 8 p.m.), in an episode that features a proposal. Bobby Moynihan of “Saturday Night Live” guest stars as a bully on “Happy Endings” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Urkel was M.I.A. for years. Now Jaleel White is posting high scores on “Dancing with the Stars” and guest starring on a new “Psych” (USA, 10 p.m.) with Mekhi Phifer.
The Christmas episode gets a springtime rerun on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
As the promos have promised all week, a stretcher is called in for somebody on “Survivor: One World” (CBS, 8 p.m.), which switched up teams dramatically last week.
Are the American women not as strong as the Brits on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
“My Crazy Obsession” (TLC, 10 p.m.) lives up to its name with an episode featuring the guy who chooses to live like a baby.
Jenna Elfman drops in on the effects shop on “Monster Man” (Syfy, 10 p.m.)
“Auction Hunters” (Spike, 9 p.m.) holds a live event.
It’s a strange road from game to cartoon. But after 700 million downloads of “Angry Birds” there’s no denying them a show. A new short film, “Angry Birds Space,” runs tonight during both “SpongeBob SquarePants” (Nickelodeon, 7 p.m.) and “Power Rangers Samurai” (Nicktoons, 7 p.m.). It explains how the Angry Birds end up in space, thanks to a cosmic vortex, and introduces six new bird characters. I smell a sequel of a game coming.
Jacyln Smith guest stars on a new “CSI” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The Wednesday night month-long salute to Karl Malden continues on Turner Classic Movies with “Nevada Smith” (8 p.m.), “The Hanging Tree” (10:15 p.m.), “How the West Was Won” (12:15 a.m.), “All Fall Down” (3:15 a.m.) and “Meteor” (5:15 a.m.).
In NBA action it’s Knicks at 76ers (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Lakers at Mavericks (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Red Wings at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Josh Duhamel Martin Short. The View: Dr. Doris Day, Lori Greiner, Dr. David Agus (rerun). The Talk: Miss Piggy, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Rachael Harris. Ellen DeGeneres: Elizabeth Banks, Casey James.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Debra Messing, Josh Hutcherson, Oberhofer. Jay Leno: Kim Kardashian, Sherri Shepherd, Tennis. Jimmy Kimmel: Don Rickles, Dave Franco, Dr. Teeth and the electric Mayhem featuring Travis Barker. Jimmy Fallon: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Jericho, Wendy Liebman. Craig Ferguson: Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Miller. Tavis Smiley: Thomas Gibson. Carson Daly: Grover Norquist (rerun). Jon Stewart: Grover Norquist (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Katherine Boo (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Joel McHale, Sanjay Gupta, Birdy. Chelsea Handler: Nicole Richie, Dan Levy, Arden Myrin, Bill Bellamy.