It’s interesting to see Animal Planet’s parameters change as they strive for new programming. Having done shows on non-animals (“Monsters Inside Me” is about viruses), things that house creatures (“Tanked”), non-existent animals (“Finding Bigfoot,” “Mermaids,” “Lost Tapes”) and random topics from mining (“Ice Cold Gold”) to outdoor structures (“Treehouse Masters”), here’s an apparent repeat of a two hour special that is at least closer to the original topic: one about kids who have been raised like animals.
In “Raised Wild” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.) anthropologist Dr. Mary-Ann Ochota investigates cases that include these areas: “A girl on all fours snarls amid a pack of wild dogs; a filthy child is groomed by a troop of monkeys; and a small boy, surrounded by chickens, pecks at the ground in search of food.” Which begins to make it start to sound a little too much like “Mermaids” or “Finding Bigfoot.”
The truth about Thursdays is that while it’s been previously considered TV’s hottest night, there is literally not much to write about. Most networks stick with new episodes of their stated schedule and there’s very little to highlight.
A couple of weird discoveries in the Solano house add to the mystery on “Gracepoint” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
The competition tonight on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) determines who goes to New York Fashion Week.
Thursday Night Football has Indianapolis at Houston (CBS, 8:25 p.m.).
The remains of a right wing radio host is found in a storm drain on “Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Wondering when producer Rachida Jones will make a cameo on her sitcom “A to Z” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.).
“Pawn Stars” (History, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) finds some vintage skateboards and then a guitar pedal used by Kurt Cobain.
A friend of Olivia seeks her help when her daughter goes missing on “Scandal” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
With Joe and Teresa Guidice going off to jail, you know “Watch What Happens Live” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) will make the most of it. Tonight: Part two of their conversation.
A sea plane makes an emergency landing on “Airplane Repo” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
A San Diego couple may have thought real estate prices were high there until they travel to Melbourne, Australia on “House Hunters International” (HGTV, 10:30 p.m.).
The “Food Truck Face Off” (Food Network, 8 p.m.) reaches Miami.
Alex and Bailey prepare to face the hospital board on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Not sure how many calories are burned solving puzzles on “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
House prices are high on “House Hunters International” (HGTV, 10:30 p.m.).
The month-long, Thursday night presentation of 27 ghost stories on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Portrait of Jennie” (8 p.m.), “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” (9:45 p.m.), “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman” (11:45 p.m.), “A Guy Named Joe” (2 a.m.) and “The Ghost of Yotsuya” (4:15 a.m.).
It’s that all purpose Halloween or Yuletide tale from Tim Burton: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Disney, 8 p.m.).
The new hockey season continues to roll out with games that include Colorado at Minnesota (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.). Preseason basketball includes Memphis at Houston (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Golden State at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
College football includes BYU at Central Florida (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.), Hampton at North Carolina AT&T (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.) and Minnesota State at Winona State (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Steve Carell, Emmy Rossum. The View: Nick Cannon, Christela Alonzo. The Talk: Bellamy Young, Jessica Radloff, David Guas. Ellen DeGeneres: Robert Downey Jr., Nicole Richie, Jack White. Wendy Williams: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Laplin. Meredith Vieira: Craig Ferguson. Queen Latifah: Melissa Etheridge, Jordin Sparks.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Robert Duvall, Elle Fanning, Rival Sons. Jimmy Fallon: Steve Carell, Julianne Hough, Philip Selway with the Dap-Kings. Jimmy Kimmel: Michael Pena, Tinashe with School Boy Q. Seth Meyers: Robert Downey Jr., Emmy Rosum, Chris Gethard. Craig Ferguson: Simon Pegg, Jamie Chung (rerun). Carson Daly: Lauren Cohan, Dum Dum Girls, Meatbodies. Tavis Smiley: Hilary Swank. Jon Stewart: Jeremy Renner. Stephen Colbert: Robert Plant. Conan O’Brien: Megan Fox, Todd Glass (rerun).