Ostentatious displays of costumes usually marks Halloween for the daytime shows, always looking to outdo each other and their own previous seasons with crazier outfits.Tonight, during peak trick or treat time, is the annual replay of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (ABC, 8 p.m.), coming at just the last minute (before the onslaught of Christmas programming).
Just as iconic (if you’re having a midweek Halloween party) are the Universal classics from the 1930s, all in a row: “Frankenstein” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Son of Frankenstein” (TCM, 9:30 p.m.), “The Wolf Man” (TCM, 11:15 p.m.) (pictured above, and spelled with two words), “The Mummy” (TCM, 12:30 a.m.), “The Mummy’s Hand” (TCM, 2 a.m.), “Island of Lost Souls” (TCM, 3:15 a.m.) and “The Invisible Man” (TCM, 4:30 a.m.). Hey, what happened to Dracula?
With the disappearance of the World Series (tonight would have been Game 6), Fox is filling its slot tonight with the first night of live competition of the season, coming a day early on “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Because it’s live, Simon Cowell and Britney Spears can comment on the singing of the National Anthem last week by fellow judge Demi Lovato. And called into work a day early, it’s our first glimpse of new hosts Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez. Ten sing tonight, another 10 tomorrow.
Another sudden schedule change has “30 Rock” (NBC, 8 p.m.) moving up a day, in the slot of the canceled “Animal Practice,” for this week only, we are told. It’s surprising move, especially since this week’s episode is the second half of a pair that deal with Jenna Maroney’s deciding the presidential election.
How big was your pumpkin this year? Not as big or as well decorated as those in Keene, N.H., where they have “Pumpkin Wars” (HGTV, 9 p.m.).
The Lance Armstrong scandal reaches “South Park” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
“American Horror Story” (FX, 10 p.m.) is timely not just because it’s Halloween. It also concerns an oncoming deadly storm.
A girl goes missing after a party and a computer geek is a suspect on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
The NBA’s second night includes San Antonio at New Orleans (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Los Angeles Lakers at Portland (NBA, 10:30 p.m.). And there’s a knockout round for Major League Soccer as well with Houston at Chicago (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) in the Eastern Conference.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Diane Sawyer. The View: Jeffrey Ross. The Talk: Jennifer Coolidge, Vicki Lawrence, Carnie & Wendy Wilson, Cat Cora. Ellen DeGeneres: Jane Lynch.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Rita Ora. Jay Leno: Taylor Lautner, Lior Suchard, Macy Gray. Jimmy Kimmel: David Letterman, Vampire Weekend. Jimmy Fallon: Bobby Cannavale, Carly Rae Jepsen. Craig Ferguson: Demi Lovato, David Morrissey. Carson Daly: Nate Silver, Ronda Rousey, the Features. Tavis Smiley: Sarah Lawrence;Lightfoot, Luciana Souza. Jon Stewart: Jon Ronson. Stephen Colbert: Lilly Ledbetter. Conan O’Brien: Chelsea Handler, Nat Faxon, Needtobreathe. Chelsea Handler: John C. Reilly, Brody Stevens, Loni Love, Gary Valentine.