Before the big crush of Christmas movies, here’s Lindsay Wagner starring on “The Thanksgiving House” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) which seems to follow the same kind of pattern: high-strung, big city lawyer inherits a house from her late aunt in Plymouth, Mass., but as she moves to unload it, learns that the property is on the site of the original feast. And she learns it from the hunky local archeologist, leading to “the most romantic Thanksgiving ever.”
Despite the turkey day emphasis, the film is listed as the “kickoff to Countdown to Christmas,” so watch out for that. Emily Rose, Justin Bruening and Bruce Boxletner also star.
With Halloween over, it’s all about “Pumpkin Chunkin 2012” (Science, 9 p.m.).
Can the fracking fight make an entertaining movie? Matt Damon and John Krysinski star on “Promised Land” (HBO, 8 p.m.). Damon is all over the place tonight, in “Good Will Hunting” (Encore, 7 p.m.) and “The Bourne Supremacy” (Encore, 10 p.m.).
Elsewhere, Brad Pitt, Richad Jenkins, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta star in the dark mob tale “Killing Them Softly” (Showtime, 8 p.m.), making its cable premiere.
I can confirm that the late Lou Reed could be a terrible interview subject, but either age has mellowed him, or he relates better to other musicians, as seen in a 2008 episode of “Spectacle” (Sundance, 7 p.m.), the music and talk show hosted by Elvis Costello. Julian Schnabel was part of the discussion as well before Reed joined Costello and his band to perform.
Sports dominates prime time network TV tonight, but it’s not just football. The Breeder’s Cup (NBC, 8 p.m.) marks its 30th anniversary as a horse racing event. But then there are games: Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (Fox, 7 p.m.) and Miami at Florida State (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Other college games tonight include Auburn at Arkansas (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), Tennessee at Missouri (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Colorado at UCLA (Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m.), Boise State at Colorado State (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.), UTEP at Texas A&M (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) and Nevada at Fresno State (ESPNU, 10:30 p.m.).
The real estate market in Las Vegas must really have turned around if the series “Flipping Vegas” (A&E, 10 p.m.) is returning for a new season.
Former wide receiver and star of “The T.O. Show” Terrell Owens gets some help on “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN, 9 p.m.).
It’s Christmas on “Dancing on the Edge” (Starz, 9 p.m.), though a bunch of Germans don’t like the band’s holiday show at the hotel.
The actor Dominic West tags along on the big Hindu pilgrimage in Allahabad, India, in “Mythical Journey: Kumbh Mela” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.).
Another variation on their never-ending crime series is “I’d Kill for You” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell play a new “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Kerry Washington hosts a new “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.)