What kind of special things do shows do to make their season premieres special? Double the running time and go to England.
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC, 8 p.m.) does both on its sixth season return, with Leslie going to London to accept an award. Also, Tom fights the person targeting his business (not Diddy, it turns out, but the Fonz). And something big happens to Ron.
It’s sad, though, that “Parks and Rec” is the last workplace comedy standing on NBC’s formerly cutting edge Thursday nights. With the ends of “The Office” and “30 Rock” last sason, the rest of NBC’s Thursday schedule is now all family fare.
The trip to London makes sense for the second season premiere of “Elementary” (CBS, 10 p.m.) since that’s where Holmes is from. (It does maintain its usual hour timeslot at least).
Fresh from another Emmy win Jim Parsons and the cast of “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.) start their seventh season with an hour long episode.
Two hours of “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 9 p.m.) to start its 10th season may be too much for anyone to bear, however. That it concerns a mudslide may not bode well.
The fifth season return for “Glee” (Fox, 8 p.m.) is not two hours, but it is the first of a two part episode celebrating the most famous group from England, the Beatles. “Drive My Car,” “Got to Get You Into My Life” and “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” are about the deepest cuts they’ll try. Otherwise it’s all “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude” and “Get Back.”
Big name stars return to comedies tonight in the new shows “The Michael J. Fox Show” (NBC, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) and “The Crazy Ones” (CBS, 9 p.m.) with Robin Williams. More on them in the item above.
“Parenthood” (NBC, 10 pm.), returning for its fifth season, is expected to get a boost from Michael J. Fox lead-in. The action stars eight months after the season finale so Crosby and Jasmine’s baby is about to born.
Amber Tamblyn makes her bow as a series regular on the season 11 premiere of “Two and a Half Men” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.), portraying the long lost daughter of the departed character of Charlie Sheen. Will they have to change the title?
Young creative types are the inspiration on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.). Designer Peter Som is guest judge.
Ad agencies vie for the Gibson guitar account on “The Pitch” (AMC, 11 p.m.).
Two customers TCB for TCBY on “The Customer is Always Right?” (OWN, 10 p.m.).
Three winners return for the finale of “Supermarket Superstar” (Lifetime, 10:30 p.m.), winning $100,000 and a place on shelves for their product.
His and her’s wrist tattoos are never a good idea on “Four Weddings: Unveiled” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Wondering how a night of reruns of “America’s Next Top Model” (Esquire, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.) fits into the brand.
The month-long Thursday night salute to Kim Novak comes to an end with “Middle of the Night” (8 p.m.), “Of Human Bondage” (10:15 p.m.), “The Legend of Lyiah Clare” (midnight) and “The Great Bank Robbery” (2:15 a.m.) capped by a repeat of her interview this year with Robert Osborne in “Kim Novak: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival” (4 p.m.).
College football tonight includes Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) and Iowa State at Tulsa (Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Robin Williams, Peter Krause. The View: Olivia Wilde, Hannah Ware, Stuart Townsend, Debbie Matenopoulos. The Talk: Robin Williams, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reed Alexander. Ellen DeGeneres: Zooey Deschanel, Ricky Martin. Wendy Williams: Tami Roman, Carrie Keagan, Joe Levy, Big Sean.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bono, Johnny Galecki, Kings of Leon. Jay Leno: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ron Paul, Little Big Town. Jimmy Kimmel: Rebel Wilson, Anthony Bourdain, Avril Lavigne. Jimmy Fallon: Tina Fey, Goldfrapp, Thundercat. Craig Ferguson: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Maggie Grace. Carson Daly: Davey Havok, Kitten (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Linda Ronstadt. Jon Stewart: Robin Williams. W. Kamau Bell: Big Freedia. Conan O’Brien: Andy Samberg, Slash. Chelsea Handler: Cat Cora, Jeff Wild, Fortune Feimster, Ross Mathews.