The balance to be struck on most network procedurals is between the time spent on crime on how much we get to know the investigators.
Because Emily Deschanel’s starring character on “Bones” (Fox, 9 p.m.) is pregnant as she is, and there’s talk of shacking up with the dad, there’s a lot more personal banter on the season premiere than there is time spent on the crime at hand.
Bones is a little hormonal, but she’s about as logical and emotionless as Spock. That Fox has two hit series starring a Deschanel sister is remarkable; each is a little odd in her own way.
Judy Lieff’s inventive film “Deaf Jam” on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) explores the expressive and joyful movement behind the American Sign Language poetry movement – largely through the work of some vibrant young performers in New York. More than just a showcase for deaf and hearing poets working together, it’s also about the artistic meeting of the minds of talented young Palestinian and Israeli women.
Elsewhere, the audience makes its first choice on “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and someone goes home.
“Burn Notice” (USA, 10 p.m.) returns for its mid-season premiere.
I was wrong about reruns on NBC’s comedy night. There are all new episodes of “Community” (NBC, 8 p.m.), an end of the world scare on “Parks & Recreation” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) and a Dwight-led efficiency move on “The Office” (NBC, 9 p.m.). And “Whitney” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.) is doing something too. Top your comedy options with new “Beavis and Butt-head” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
Simon Baker directs himself in a new episode of “The Mentalist” (CBS, 10 p.m.) that features David Paymer as a crime-solving blogger.
They may have announced a divorce this week after just 72 days of marriage, but the final two hours of their four hour special “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event” (E!, 9 p.m.) gets a rerun anyway. So we can check it for flaws in the relationships that should have been obvious.
In lieu of a reunion show, last week’s finale of “Project Runway” is followed by the special “Tim Gunn: Behind the Seams of Season 9” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) featuring unused footage and his own comments. Sounds weird, but he’ll make it work. It’s followed by a “Project Accessory” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), in which contestants draw inspiration from Swarovski crystals.
In a show only available to its satellite subscribers, Jason Priestly returns as a car salesman for the second season of “Call Me Fitz” (DirecTV, 9:30 p.m.).
The U2 documentary on the making of “Achtung Baby,” “From the Sky Down” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) gets a replay.
In “Expedition Whiskey” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.), the 2006 mission is simple: Find the liquor stash by South Pole explorer Ernest Shackelton 93 years earlier.
“Conan” (TBS, 11 p.m.) officiates a gay wedding to cap his week in New York.
A 21-film Thursday night salute to boats and travel all month on Turner Classic Movies begins tonight with “Romance on the High Seas” (8 p.m.), “April in Paris” (10 p.m.), “Luxury Liner” (11:45 p.m.), “New Moon” (1:30 a.m.) and “And the Ship Sails On” (3:30 a.m.).
In college football, it’s Florida State at Boston College (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Eddie Murphy. The View: Tracy Morgan, Chris Matthews, David Arquette. The Talk: Gabourey Sidibe, Katie Aselton. Ellen DeGeneres: Eddie Murphy, Jermaine Jackson. Wendy Williams: Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks & Sheree Whitfield, Pat & Gina Neely. Rosie O’Donnell: Martin Short, Kim Zimmer.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Mark Harmon, Mike Judge, Matt Lauer, Eli Young Band. Jay Leno: Kristen Stewart, Dave Attell, Joe Jonas. Jimmy Kimmel: Eddie Murphy, Manny Pacquiao, Chickenfoot. Jimmy Fallon: Kirsten Dunst, Chris Hardwick, Air Supply. Craig Ferguson: Alan Alda, Ariel Tweto. Tavis Smiley: Mark Bowden, Lisa Randall. Carson Daly: Paul Patranella & Bill Allen, Radical Face, Jane’s Addiction. Jon Stewart: Brad Paisley. Stephen Colbert: Nathan Wolfe. Conan O’Brien: Louis C.K. Chelsea Handler: Miranda Cosgrove, Ben Gleib, Loni Love, Greg Fitzsimmons.