In a week when gay partnership is central in the news, with declarations by Joe Biden, the historic ‘evolutionary’ statement by Obama, the voting action in North Carolina, here comes a USA Network series that pushes the buddy film relationship of detective partners to such a degree that they have to go to couples therapy.
The central joke of the new “Common Law” (USA, 10 p.m.) is that they might as well be gay. But, in this supposedly enlightened age, it should be asked: What if they were?
Accusing someone of being gay is not the sure fire laugh it used to be even a couple of years ago on TV. And this one seems just dated, though it includes at the center of it crime incidents they have to figure out, despite their “Odd Couple” pairing – one is a sloppy lady’s man; the other a neat freak who is married.
It’s an OK cast, with Michael Ealy of “The Good Wife” and “Sleeper Cell” with Warren Cole of “The Chicago Code.” Their therapist is Sonya Walger from “Lost” and a bunch of other shows. And their chief is the great character actor Jack McGee (Chief Reilly from “Rescue Me”). And there’s that usual blend of humor and drama that have been the hallmark of USA shows like “Fairly Legal” (USA, 9 p.m.).
“Fringe” (Fox, 9 p.m.) reaches its fourth season finale, full of wildly creative ideas. Now, more than that, it has an end in sight: Next season will be its last after 13 episodes. As it did with “Lost,” kowing the fixed series finale can only help the storytelling and help shape a more satisfying story when it ends. And there’s a lot of things to tie up and explain by then. Leonard Nimoy guest stars tonight.
Not making it to next season, reportedly: “The Finder” (Fox, 8 p.m.). So tonight’s first season finale will likely be the last episode you’ll ever see.
An idea for “Shark Tank” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is for flavored peanut butter. But isn’t peanut butter already a flavor? I hope one of the sharks brings that up.
A terrorist attack is afoot on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The season finale of “CSI: NY” (CBS, 9 p.m.) coincides with the shooting of Gary Sinese’s character. Can he (or the show) survive?
Jason Sudekis of “Saturday Night Live” looks into his genealogy on a new “Who Do You Think You Are?” (NBC, 8 p.m.). Though it’d be funnier if he did it in his Mitt Romney character.
Richard Clarke, Margaret Hoover, David Cay Johnston, Grover Norquist and Eva Longoria are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
Quilts and fiber arts are stressed on “Craft in America” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
NBC ordered a second season of “Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m.) months ago.
Sigourney Weaver is featured in both “Alien: The Director’s Cut” (Cinemax, 7:20 p.m.) and “Avatar” (FX, 6:30 p.m.).
Roger Daltrey co-stars in the 2006 “Johnny Was” (TMC, 8:25 p.m.).
One of the more underrated movie comedy teams, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, are featured on Turner Classic Movies with “Bedazzled” (8 p.m.), “The Wrong Box” (10 p.m.) and “The Bed Sitting Room” (midnight).
They are followed by a coupleof horror and suspense movies from the early 70s: “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and “Zigzag” (TCM, 3:30 a.m.).
It’s Grizzlies at Clippers (ESPN, 9 p.m.) in game 6 of their NBA playoff series.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Felicity Huffman, Nick Lachey. The View: Eva Longoria, E.L. James, Carmen Wong Ulrich, Robin & Lucimarian Roberts, Bob Saget. The Talk: Eva Mendes, Cierra Ramirez. Ellen DeGeneres: Hilary Duff, Nick Cannon, Molly Sims.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jon Cryer, Tommy Johnagin, M. Ward. Jay Leno: Jenna Fischer, Jay Mohr, Katherine Jenkins. Jimmy Kimmel: Scarlett Johansson, Roger Daltrey (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Stephen Colbert, Nick Cannon, Big K.R.I.T. Craig Ferguson: Larry King, Anna Chlumsky. Tavis Smiley: Ryan O’Neal. Carson Daly: B.o.B., Lex Land, Bomba Estereo, “Indie Game: The Movie,” Thee Oh Sees (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeff Wild, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Ross Mathews (rerun).