Thursday TV: ‘Wipeout’ vs. Final Night of Republican Convention

“Wipeout” (ABC, 8 p.m.), one of the most popular network shows for small children (who often call it “faw down”) has been picked up for a sixth season, ABC announced yesterday.

Even more surprising, perhaps, is that “Anger Management,” the Charlie Sheen sitcom, has done well enough in its initial run to warrant 90 more episodes.

That wasn’t a typo. The comedy completed its 10 episode initial run with an average 4.53 million viewers, triggering the automatic Tyler Perry-sized renewal. Its spot is filled tonight by Steve Carell and Tina Fey in “Date Night” (FX, 8 p.m.).

In other comedy (kidding!) Mitt Romney closes out the 2010 Republican National Convention (CSPAN, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Current TV, CNBC, 7 p.m.; ABC, CBS, NBC, 10 p.m.) with some fanfare. The 10 p.m. hour also includes remarks by U.s. Senator Marco Rubio. The convention begins at 7 wih appearances by Rep. Connie Mac, Newt and Calista Gingrich and a film about Ronald Regan; at 8 p.m., former Gov. Jeb Bush is featured; at 9 p.m., Olympians Michael Eruzione, Derek Parra and Kim Rhode pop up.

Suddenly making its move to cover the convention is “BET News: RNC Live” (BET, 9:30 p.m.) for the first time this week.

It’s pretty weird which films are playing opposite the Republican convention: A whole lot of “Pretty Woman” (AMC, 9 and 10:30 p.m.), “American History X” (Encore, 8 p.m.), “Major Payne” (BET, 7:30 p.m.), “Scream 4” (Showtime 2, 8 p.m.), “The Change-Up” (HBO, 8 p.m.) and “The Exorcist” (IFC, 8 p.m.).

They may have a load of Emmy worthy shows, from “Homeland” to “Episodes,” but the premium network Showtime is also the home of the odious reality series “Gigolos” (Showtime, 11 p.m.), which starts its third season.

Britney, who looked a little ill at the end of last night’s episode, is up for eviction alongside Danielle on “Big Brother” (CBS, 9 p.m.). Suddenly Dan and Frank are safe and allied with Jenn, who made it all possible. Hey, suddenly this is getting good.

“The Next” (The CW, 9 p.m.) continues its quest to find stars, for an audience clearly not watching. And John Rich gets to ride a horse.

There are still a couple of scripted network shows on with new episodes, and both of them are from Canada: “Rookie Blue” (ABC, 9 p.m.) and “Saving Hope” (NBC, 9 p.m.).

Nicole had her little Guido over the weekend so anything that happens on a new “Snooki & Jwoww” (MTV, 10 p..m.) will just look outdated.

Perhaps taking a page from copycat “Fashion Star,” the winner of this week’s competition on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) gets their work into an actual store, in this case Lord & Taylor. Accordingly, store president Bonnie Brooks is guest judge.

In an out of character episode “Louie” (FX, 10:30 p.m.) seems to catch a break when he’s invited to perform on “The Tonight Show.” Earlier, Mary Steenburgen guest stars on “Willard” (FX, 10 p.m.).

A dream trip to New York City on “Trip Flip” (Travel, 9 p.m.) includes lunch with a Yankee and saying hello to Ricky Martin.

Jenna feels the effect when her blog goes public on “Awkward.” (MTV, 10:30 p.m.).

“Childrens Hospital” (Cartoon Network, midnight) engages in some stem cell research — for laughs!

Only a couple episodes are left for “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” (FX, 11 p.m.). Catch it while you can.

Trina shoots a music video on “Braxton Family Values” (We, 9 p.m.).

The participants on “Extreme Chefs” (Food Network, 10 p.m.) have to cook on the desert.

The group One Direction counts down their past favorite Video Music Awards performances on “My First Time” (MTV, 11 p.m.) as they prepare for their own first appearance on the show next week.

And a new video is premiered at the end of the TV special “Taylor Swift World Premiere: ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ Live” (CMT, 7:30 p.m.). It will also play simultaneously on MTV at about 7:49 p.m.

Get to know Warren William, “known for his lusty leading roles in racy Pre-Code movies,” according to Turner Classic Movies, which shows his movies all day. In prime time that includes “Lady for a Day” (8 p.m.) and the 1934 version of “Cleopatra” (9:45 p.m.). Later, it’s “Employees’ Entrance” (11:45 p.m.), “The Case of the Howling Dog” (1:15 a.m.), “The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt” (2:45 a.m.) and “Arsene Lupin Returns” (4 a.m.).

Preseason NFL includes Chiefs at Packers (NFL Network, 7 p.m.) and Broncos at Cardinals (NFL Network, 11 p.m.).

But there’s some early college football, too: South Carolina at Vanderbilt (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Washington State at BYU (ESPN, 10:15 p.m.).

And more early round U.S. Open (ESPN2, 1 and 7 p.m.) is scheduled.

Daytime Talk

Kelly Ripa: Billy Bob Thornton, Eli Manning, Christina Hendricks, Chris Harrison (rerun). The View: Lorraine Bracco, Michael Corbett, Randy Jackson (rerun). The Talk: Scott Wolf, Chi-Lan Lieu (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Ashton Kutcher, Sherrie Gahn (rerun).

Late Talk

David Letterman: Bruce Willis, Brian Regan, the Heavy. Jay Leno: Savannah Guthrie, Dolph Lundgren. Jimmy Kimmel: Joseph Gordon Levitt, Rebel Wilson, Good Old War (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Bill Cosby, Fred Willard, No Doubt (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Lisa Kudrow. Tavis Smiley: Ben Stein. Carson Daly: Tavis Smiley, Allen Stone, Band of Skulls (rerun). Jon Stewart: Michael Steele. Stephen Colbert: Jon Huntsman. Conan O’Brien: Kyra Sedgwick, Mike Birbiglia, Dominic Dierkes. Chelsea Handler: Lizzy Caplan, Jen Kirkman, Morgan Murphy, Dov Davidoff.