Sarah Chalke returns as a sitcom regular in the new domestic comedy “How to Live With Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.). In it, the single mother moves back with her free spirited parents played by Brad Garrett and Elizabeth Perkins. Well, you can kind of see where this one is going to go: She doesn’t want her daughter exposed to the wild ways of her parents, stuff happens. It sounds like it might be a good one week diversion on the old “Up All Night.” But every week?
It gets as good as a boost as it’s ever going to get from the lead-in of a new “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.) with Justine Bateman guest starring. All of the comedies are new tonight on that network including “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and, in a new time, “Suburgatory” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
In a way, the reality version of “How to Live with Your Parents” also premieres tonight with “Forever Young” (TV Land, 10 p.m.), in which five people under 30 move in a house with five others who are over 70 to see what happens (different bedtimes, for one thing, I’m guessing). The show, from the network that regularly brings other elderly scripted comedies like “Golden Girls” (TVLand, 8 p.m.), is produced in part by Ashton Kutcher, who previously brought us “Beauty and the Geek” and “Punk’d.”
After covering the Beatles and Motown, there will be a likely letdown when the theme falls to classic rock on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Unless your idea of entertainment is Lazaro Arbos doing Bon Jovi.
The documentary “Lunacy!” (Epix, 8 p.m.) looks at people with special relationships to the moon — some sell plots of it, one wants to move there, one who has visited there now paints it.
The documentary “Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects” (Sony Movie Channel, 8 p.m.) looks at the achievements of the pioneering filmmaker behind “Jason and the Argonauts,” “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” and other films. Among the insider stories: the octopus in “It Came from Beneath the Sea” only had six legs because of budget considerations.
Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz is the new host for the second season of “Best Ink” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.), the tattoo artist competition. Hannah Aitchison is a new judge joining Joe Capobianco and Sabina Kelley. It’s always a fun competition to watch, but I worry about the people who lend their skin for what are judged to be the worst designs. No consolation prizes (or laser tattoo removal) for them.
“Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks into plants that may have the power to eat or attract other plants on their own, a story that only begins with the Venus Flytrap.
The new reality series “Pot Cops” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) follows the search and destroy crews going after lucrative marijuana crops in Humboldt County, Calif.
The merge – and an unappetizing eating challenge – comes to “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Hope Davis guest stars on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Matt & Kim, Santigold, Yung Skeeter and B.o.B. perform in an Oregon concert on “Brilliance Uncapped” (Fuse, 9 p.m.).
“Chelsea Lately” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) celebrates an arbitrary milestone with a one hour episode that includes many regulars as well as Blake Shelton.
A 26-film, month-long, Wednesday night salute to Laurence Olivier on Turner Classic Movies begins with four classic performances of Shakespeare, “Henry V” (8 p.m.), “Hamlet” (10:30 p.m.), “Richard III” (1:15 a.m.) and “Othello” (4 a.m.).
Baseball includes Boston at Yankees (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and San Francisco at Dodgers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
NBA action includes New York at Atlanta (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Memphis at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Pittsburgh at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Minnesota at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jeremy Irons, Jeremy Sisto, Juanes. The View: Sarah Chalke, New Kids on the Block. The Talk: Blake Shelton, Lulu Kenned-Cairns. Ellen DeGeneres: Bruno Mars, Ted Danson.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Louis CK, Rachel Maddow, the Flaming Lips. Jay Leno: Rosario Dawson, Max Greenfield, Gloriana. Jimmy Kimmel: Russell Brand, Bob Costas, Gary Allan. Jimmy Fallon: Sarah Silverman, Hugh Dancy, Gordon Lightfoot. Craig Ferguson: Lisa Kudrow, Bonnie Raitt (rerun). Carson Daly: Lawrence Wright, Delta Rae. Tavis Smiley: Eva Mendes. Jon Stewart: Sheryl Sandberg. Stephen Colbert: A.C. Grayling. Conan O’Brien: Steven Yeun, Darius Rucker. Chelsea Handler: Brad Wollack, Chris Franjola, Sarah Colonna, Jen Kirkman, Jeff Wild, Fortune Feimster, Heather McDonald, Ross Mathews, Loni Love, T.J. Miller Blake Shelton.