Friday TV: ‘Portlandia’ Brunch Special, Hold the Grilled Cheese

It’s been a long dry spell for “Portlandia,” the funny sketch series with a keen sense of place. Having won a couple of Emmy nominations this week, it’s between seasons currently, but returns for one night to expand its amusing season finale, when all the world aligned in the Oregon city for a place in line for brunch.

The expanded edition, “Portlandia: The Brunch Special” (IFC, 11 p.m.) adds extra moments and looks behind the scene of the episode that also featured Bobby Flay, Kyle MacLachlan, Tim Robbins and Lorne Michaels as well as creators and leads Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. It will make you crave marionberry pancakes.

It’s not the only appearance of Flay tonight. A makeover of a cheese truck is the subject of “3 Days to Open with Bobby Flay” (Food Network, 10 p.m.).

After appearing with Placido Domingo at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato returns to her hometown for a concert with the Grammy-winning Kansas City Symphony under the direction of Michael Stern. They perform in the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, designd by Moshe Safdie.

A documentary on the event, “KCS Presents Joyce DiDonato” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) is part of the PBS Summer Arts Festival.

“John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) starts a third season with sets from Wyatt Cenac, Hari Kondabolu, Mark Normand and Ben Kronberg.

Possible abuse by the border patrol is investigated on “Need to Know” (PBS, 8:30 p.m.).

The tricky issue of jobs is addressed on “Homeland: Immigration in America” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).

The Canadian made succubus saga, “Lost Girl” (Syfy, 10 p.m.), moves to a new night.

Surprise nominee for best reality show yesterday was “Shark Tank” (ABC, 8 p.m.), showing a rerun tonight.

A grilled cheese truck has Ed Helms is guest on a new “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 10 p.m.).

Phoenix is the destination on “Chasing UFOs” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.).

I believe my property qualifies for “My Yard Goes Disney” (HGTV, 8 p.m.) because it looks so Goofy.

“House Hunters on Vacation” (HGTV, 8:30 p.m.) leads to “House Hunters World Tour” (HGTV, 9 p.m.).

Four of Barbara Stanwyck’s raciest roles came before the Hollywood code. They’re on Turner Classic Movies tonight: “Shopworn” (8 p.m.), “Ten Cents a Dance” (9:15 p.m.), “Illicit” (10:45 p.m.) and “Forbidden” (12:15 a.m.).

Then a couple of vampire tales, “Near Dark” (2 a.m.) and Roman Polanski’s “Fearless Vampire Killers” (3:45 a.m.).

Finally, a happy episode of “Louisiana Lockdown” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) – a prisoner is released after 18 years.

Two episodes of “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) is followed by a pair of “Tyler Perry’s for Better or Worse” (TBS, 9 and 0:30 p.m.), followed by “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (TBS, 10 p.m.), with no Tyler Perry in sight.

Don’t want to fight the lines for the latest Batman movie? Catch the two earlier films in the Christian Bale trilogy tonight. They play opposite one another: the 2005 “Batman Begins” (FX, 8 p.m.) and 2008’s “The Dark Knight” (TNT, 8 p.m.).

It’s not the only comic book based movie on tonight with “X-Men: First Class” (HBO, 9 p.m.).

Conan O’Brien isn’t on tonight but “Conan the Barbarian” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) is.

The Tour De France (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) is on Stage 18, from Blagnac to Brive-la-Galliarde.

The second round of the British Open (ESPN, 5 a.m.) is on even earlier.

Daytime Talk

Kelly Ripa: John Stamos, Carla Gugino, Rob Thomas. The View: Michael Caine, Michael Corbett, Randy Jackson. The Talk: Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Chris Powell, Pat Harvey. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, John Mayer, Victoria Justice (rerun).

Late Talk

David Letterman: Alec Baldwin, Michael Kiwanuka (rerun). Jay Leno: Ben Stiller, Rose Byrne, Missy Higgins. Jimmy Kimmel: Bryan Cranston, Larry King, Zac Brown Band (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Kyra Sedgwick, Bob Odenkirk, A$ap Rocky. Craig Ferguson: Jason Biggs, Jordana Brewster. Tavis Smiley: Frank Gehry. Carson Daly: Megan Hilty, Deborah Bassett, We Are Augustines (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Russell Brand, James Davis, Sarah Colonna, Gary Valentine (rerun).