From Bessie Smith to the newly inducted Joan Jett “Women Who Rock” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) ties into the similarly named exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
The stories of Ma Raney, Mother Maybelle, Heart, Mavis Staples, Deborah Harry and Kathleen Hanna are featured, as well as the trio pictured left of Darlene Love, Wanda Jackson and Cyndi Lauper, who narrates. The commentary comes from songwriter Cynthia Weill and critics Ann Powers, Nelson George and Holly George Warren. With any luck there will be plenty of performance clips.
The big moment on TV happens early today as Regis Philbin takes his final bow on a morning show after 28 years and nearly 17,000 hours of live television performed.
The farewell march on “Live with Regis and Kelly” (9 a.m., check local listings) has been going on almost since he announced the departure a year ago. In recent episodes, it’s taken up the entire show and all manner of show biz stars have shown up to say goodbye and in the case of Robert De Niro and David Letterman, also give him a sloppy kiss.
When they mentioned the latest chapter in the “Regis Farewell Spectacular” Thursday, he exploded “Enough with the farewell spectacular!” But that’s what people love Regis: Exploding in frustration for comic effect.
Details for today’s morning show have been kept secret – producer Gelman has been plotting it himself – but both Kelly Ripa and Kathie Lee Gifford will be on hand, as they were for Thursday’s show.
Philbin says he has no immediate plans after today’s final show; his replacement hasn’t been named, but Jerry Seinfeld agreed to co-host the first post-Regis week; Neil Patrick Harris the second.
When you have a heart attack before Thanksgiving, as Henry does on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.), you can’t even blame the food.
Chuck and Sarah go back to the Buy More store on “Chuck” (NBC, 8 p.m.) not only to go undercover but because it’s a large expensive set that would have otherwise gone unused.
Service is bad at a Greek restaurant in California, Gordon Ramsay finds on “Kitchen Nightmares” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
A tiger gets loose and attacks two on “Fatal Attractions” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.). But it’s moths that sets somebody off on “My Extreme Animal Phobia” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
The uncompromising first “American Idol” talks performs in “VH1 Unplugged: Kelly Clarkson” (VH1, 11 p.m.).
There’s cabin terror for fresh step-siblings (and former couple) Jake and Claire in a one-hour special “Degrassi: Nowhere to Run” (Nickelodeon, 9 p.m.).
A Delaware person who makes a lot of food for soup kitchens gets some help on a two hour “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
It’s Oklahoma State at Iowa State (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in Big 12 action.
The British actor Richard Todd is featured in the triple bill of “Chase a Crooked Shadow” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “A Man Called Peter” (TCM, 10 p.m.) and “The Hasty Heart” (TCM, 12:15 a.m.).
Then it’s the horror double feature of “Equinox” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and “The Green Slime” (TCM, 3:30 p.m.).
“Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Girls” (Sundance, 9 p.m.) begins a new season in a new city: Nashville.
“Batman: The Brave and the Bold” (Cartoon Network, 7 pm.) presents its final episode.
When it comes to Friday night fantasies, I prefer “Fringe” (Fox, 9 p.m.) to “Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m.) or “Supernatural” (The CW, 9 p.m.). “Fringe” is reaching its midseason finale (which means it won’t be around for several weeks), so a lot of action will likely occur.
“Real Time with Bill Maher” won’t be back for a new season until Jan. 13. Until then, the replacement in the time slot is kind of an insult – Wes Craven’s serial killer saga “My Soul to Take” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Regis’ last show. The View: Eric Stonestreet, Amy Schumer, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. The Talk: Donny Osmond, Mario Lopez. Ellen DeGeneres: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Bruno Mars. Wendy Williams: Ricardo Chavira, Tai Beauchamp, Carla Hall. Rosie O’Donnell: Ellen Barkin.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Herman Cain, Brian Regan, Grouplove. Jay Leno: Jim Parsons, Meghan McCain, Tom Morello with Ben Harper. Jimmy Kimmel: Robert Pattinson, Freida Pinto, Thompson Square (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Michelle Williams, Alton Brown, Iliza Shlesinger, Animal. Craig Ferguson: Don Rickles, Beth Behrs, Shadoe Stevens. Tavis Smiley: Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith, Marie Lu. Carson Daly: Sean Durkin, Mr. Fish, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Chelsea Handler: Mindy Kaling.