Although it would be more dramatic to have a rematch of last week’s Presidential Debate, it may be interesting to see how each candidate handles their single scheduled Vice Presidential Debate (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, CNN, CSPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, 9 p.m.). Joe Biden is always entertaining and may be less unbridled than he was when he was in a similar stuation, facing a woman. And Paul Ryan fancies himself ready for the fight. The topics are domestic and foreign issues.
Martha Raddatz of ABC News moderates the event from Centre College in Danvile, Ken. And not just pundits will be paying close attention for the their endless post-debate discussions; so will writers for “Saturday Night Live”
Another unlikely pair plays opposite them tonight. The premiere of “Beauty and the Beast” (The CW, 9 p.m.), a new variation of a story that’s already been a TV series, animated movie and hit musical, takes on the kind of dark stranger story favored by the CW that makes it almost indistinguishable to “The Arrow” that premiered Wednesday.
Nobody will argue against Kristin Kreuk as the Beauty (though she is also a homicide detective), but the only thing making Jay Ryan a beast is the tiniest of scars on his cheek. Still, it has a chance of doing well, if only because it comes after the fourth season opener for “The Vampire Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
More exciting may be the return of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FX, 10 p.m.), which really doesn’t have an all new cast led by Andrew Dice Clay, as a series of clever promos would have it, but Rob McElhenney’s Mac has at least shed all of that season seven weight. The first dilemma for the gang is the future of a grandfather, a former Nazi.
It’s accompanied by the fourth season of “The League” (FX, 10:30 p.m.), the comedy that’s gotten so popular, it’s attracted a lot of football stars — maybe more than are realistic. The first one with a speaking role is Robert Griffin III, Washington’s star quarterback. But Taco is invited to Dallas Cowboys training camp and Kevin and Jenny are about to have their baby. Given the title it might be worth turning over to the special entitled “The Greatest Event in Television HIstory” (Cartoon Network, midnight).
It really is Paul Ryan’s night. In addition to the debate, the guitarist of his favorite band Rage Against the Machine, Tom Morello, is a guest on “Totally Biasted with W. Kamau Bell” (FX, 11;30 p.m.), which begins the first of an extended set of seven episodes at a new time, following the returning “Brand X with Russell Brand” (FX, 11 p.m.).
Bryan Cranston and Catherine O’Hara guest star on “30 Rock” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) as Kenneth’s mom and her boyfriend.
Previously, I thought 8 o’clock was the wrong time slot for “Last Resort” (ABC, 8 p.m.). But because it avoids the debate that takes most network shows off the air tonight, it’s kind of genius.
L.A. Reid hears what his group of “Over 25s” have to give him and Britney Spears listens to the six teenage contestants she’s supposed to mentor as “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.) continues.
Women who hide their conditions behind muumuus are profiled on the series “Secretly Pregnant” (Discovery Fit & Health, 10 p.m.), back for a second season.
What was Gene Kelly’s final film? “Xanadu” (Flix, 8 p.m.) the comically terrible roller skating disco musical with Olivia Newton-John.
It’s getting close to the end of the season on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), with the first of a two part finale that has Tim Gunn visiting the hometowns of the four finalists, Dmitry Sholokov, Fabio Costa, Christopher Palu and Melissa Fleis.
A fight in Hawaii threatens “Tamar and Vince” (We, 9 p.m.) on a new episode of the Braxtons spin-off.
“The Jersey Shore” (MTV, 8 p.m.) can congratulate itself on being a Garden State survivor after CBS canned “Made in Jersey” Wednesday.
It’s another big day of postseason baseball with San Francisco at Cincinnati (TBS, 1 p.m.), St. Louis at Washington (TBS, 4 p.m.), Baltimore at Yankees (TBS, 7:30 p.m.) and Detroit at Oakland (TNT, 9:30 p.m.).
In NFL action, it’s Steelers at Titans (NFL, 8 p.m.). In college football, it’s Western Kentucky at Troy (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.) and Arizona State at Colorado (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
Four movies directed by Robet Aldrich are on Turner Classic Movies tonight: “The Flight of the Phoenix” (8 p.m.), “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (10:30 p.m.), “The Legend of Lylah Clare” (1 a.m.) and “Kiss Me Deadly” (3:15 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Bryan Cranston, Stanley Tucci. Katie Couric: Gretchen Rubin, Paula Faris. The View: Seth Meyers, Helio Castroneves and Drew Lachey, Michael Symon. The Talk: Allison Janney, Susan Feniger, Boris Kodjoe. Ellen DeGeneres: Bethenny Frankel, Octavia Spencer.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Lucy Liu, Daughter. Jay Leno: Terry Bradshaw, Mark Kelly, Grizzly Bear. Jimmy Kimmel: Kevin James, Ezra Miller. Jimmy Fallon: Christina Applegate, Nick Offerman, Jackson Browne. Craig Ferguson: Neil Patrick Harris, Gerry Dee (rerun). Carson Daly: Sam Rockwel, Jordan Roberts, Kimbra. Tavis Smiley: Phyllis Bennis. Jon Stewart: Paul Thomas Anderson. Stephen Colbert: Chrystia Freeland. Conan O’Brien: Denis Leary, Steve Byrne, Cristelo Alonzo (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Bryan Cranston, Michael Yo, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Mo Mandel.
David Letterman: Lucy Liu, Daughter. Jay Leno: Terry Bradshaw, Mark Kelly, Grizzly Bear. Jimmy Kimmel: Kevin James, Ezra Miller. Jimmy Fallon: Christina Applegate, Nick Offerman, Jackson Browne. Craig Ferguson: Neil Patrick Harris, Gerry Dee (rerun). Carson Daly: Sam Rockwel, Jordan Roberts, Kimbra. Tavis Smiley: Phyllis Bennis. Jon Stewart: Paul Thomas Anderson. Stephen Colbert: Chrystia Freeland. Conan O’Brien: Denis Leary, Steve Byrne, Cristelo Alonzo (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Bryan Cranston, Michael Yo, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Mo Mandel.