Before the helmets comes an even funnier hat: Pharrell performs live during the annual “NFL Kickoff 2014” (NBC, 7:30 p.m.), a pre-show for the one Thursday night game on NBC (CBS has been making a big deal about presenting Thursday Night Football this fall). Because the kickoff game is in the home of last year’s Super Bowl champion Seahawks, Soundgarden will also perform. Afterwards, it’s Green Bay at Seattle (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) and for once, it counts.
Ariana Grande, pictured with Pharrell above, will sing the National Anthem at that game, while her brother stays another week on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) where women continue to be the target. Two of the last three females are up for eviction tonight, Nicole and Victoria and Nicole will probably be the one to go, again.
The Dark Army is about to attack on “The Quest” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and a dragon shows up in the second hour. Throughout, the remaining contestants do their best to refrain from breaking out in laughter.
And everything else tonight on broadcast TV is a rerun.
Another reason to hate cable companies: They’re behind the mayhem in “The Honorable Woman” (Sundance, 10 p.m.).
“Garfunkel and Oates” (IFC, 10 p.m.) decide to switch hair colors to test philosophical beliefs.
Jimmy meets Gretchen’s parents on “You’re the Worst” (FX, 10:30 p.m.).
A trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they see the work of Charles James gives designers inspiration on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.). But so does Chopard jewelry. Caroline Scheufele is guest judge.
On “Married” (FX, 10 p.m.), Lina and Russ go on date in their old neighborhood.
Parents who don’t vaccinate are featured on “Extreme Guide to Parenting” (Bravo, 9:30 p.m.).
Why did the radio host go on “Dating Naked” (VH1, 9 p.m.)? Say it with me: He wanted the exposure.
Police relations with the community is the topic on “Black Jesus” (Cartoon Network, 11 p.m.).
“Dazed and Confused” director Richard Linklater chooses the movies on Turner Classic Movies tonight. His choices: “Some Came Running” (8 p.m.), “The Asphalt Jungle” (10:30 p.m.), “Fanny and Alexander” (12:45 a.m.) and “Forbidden Games” (4 a.m.).
“Dirty Dancing” (ABC Family, 6:30 p.m.) got a terrible sequel 14 years later: “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.).
Baseball today includes Boston at Yankees (MLB, 7 p.m.).
College football games today include Grand Valley State vs. Azusa Pacific (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.) and Arizona at Texas- San Antonio (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
In the U.S. Open (Tennis channel, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; ESPN, noon and 8 p.m.) there is doubles and junior play this morning and men’s quarterfinals and doubles later in the day.
Here’s a timely basketball game in the FIBA World Cup: U.S. vs Ukraine (ESPN2, 11:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ray Liotta, Ricky Ubeda, Counting Crows. The View: Patrick Duffy, Nico & Vinz, Suzy Welch & Ginger Zee (rerun). The Talk: Zoe Saldana, Judy Greer, Nat Faxon, David Tutera (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Kim Kardashian, Dermot Mulroney (rerun). Wendy Williams: Leah Remini (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Steve Buscemi, Will Power, Alt-J. Jimmy Fallon: Larry David, Gisele Bundchen, Jeezy with Future. Jimmy Kimmel: Sarah Silverman, Taraji P. Henson, Hunter Hayes. Seth Meyers: Heidi Klum, Kieran Culkin, Leslie Jones. Craig Ferguson: Rachael Ray, Ted Alexandro. Carson Daly: Jared Harris, the Growlers, Andrew Schultz (rerun). Jon Stewart: Adam Levine. Stephen Colbert: Doris Kearns Goodwin. Arsenio Hall: Ray Romano, Future (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Chris Hardwick, Keizo Shimamoto, David Gray.