“Stranger Things” may have ended its run Dec. 31, but a new animated spinoff that fills a story that fits between seasons two and three. “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” (Netflix, streaming) brings back the young cast, or at least drawings of them, with the Upside Down rumbling beneath the snows of Hawkins, Ind.
Richard Gadd, who created and starred in the 2024 streaming hit “Baby Reindeer,” returns with a new series, “Half Man” (Netflix, streaming), about the tempestuous relations between a pair of childhood friends over the decades. Jamie Bell stars opposite him.
Kate Hudson’s star may have risen with her recent Oscar nomination, but she’s back as the chief executive of a big city NBA team in the agreeable comedy “Running Point” (Netflix, streaming). Justin Theroux plays her brother, back early from rehab.
The NFL Draft (ABC, ESPN, NFL, 8 p.m.) is big enough to run live on three networks from Pittsburgh, with the top picks going first.
The way to have a finale these days is simply to play two episodes back to back. It happens with the second season end of “Matlock” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The Joel McHale comedy “Animal Control” (Fox, 9 p.m.) ends its fourth season; “Going Dutch” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) ends its second.
“The Hunting Party” (NBC, 10 p.m.) goes after a serial-killer comedian.
Galadriel Stineman stars as a woman who manages a gift shop in Amish country, only to turn into a detective in “Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries” (UPtv, 9 p.m.).
“Law & Order” (NBC, 8 p.m.) investigates the brutal murder of a news reporter; while “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.) ingfiltrates the world of professional fighting.
A plan to save Woodstone is threatened by a personal conflict on “Ghosts” (CB, 8:30 p.m.).
“Next Level Chef” (Foc, 9 p.m. orders up some noodle dishes.
A plan to gain new clients at a country club goes all wrong on “George & Mandy’s First Marriage” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Scrabble” (CW, 8 p.m.) and “Trivial Pursuit” (CW, 9 p.m.) are among the game shows tonight.
Tensions rise among the “Ladies of London: The New Reign” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) begin their reunion episodes.
A woman hired as a live-in tutor in a secluded Scottish estate becoms emeshed with the family’s secrets in the made-for-TV thriller “Murder at Highland Manor” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.).
“Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo” (History, 9 p.m.) dugs up a rare sports car buried in a backyard.
Looking back to the explosion 40 years ago this month, here’s “Chernobyl’s First 48” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
Finally, here’s “Stonehedge: The Final Mystery Revealed” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
The Thursday night salute to Texas on Turner Classic Movies has “Places in the Heart” (8 p.m.), “Tender Mercies” (10 p.m.), “A Well Spent Life” (11:45 p.m.), “Written on the Wind” (12:45 a.m.), “Blossoms in the Dust” (2:30 a.m.) and “Boom Town” (4:15 a.m.).
During the day are the films of director Fran Borzage, born this day in 1894 with “Big City” (6 a.m.), “Flirtation Walk” (7:30 a.m.), “Green Light” (9:15 a.m.), “Living On Velvet” (10:45 a.m.), “The Mortal Storm” (12:15 p.m.), “Seven Sweethearts” (2 p.m.), “Shipmates Forever” (3:40 p.m.), and “Strange Cargo” (5:45 p.m.).
Baseball includes Milwaukee at Detroit (ESPN, 1:10 p.m.) and Yankees at Boston (Fox6:10 p.m.).
NBA playoffs have Knicks at Atlanta (Prime Video, 7 p.m.), Cleveland at Toronto (Prime Video, 8 p.m.) and Dnever at Minnesota (Prime Video, 9:30 p.m.).
Stanley Cup playoffs have Bufalo at Boston (TNT, truTV, 7 p.m.), Carolina at Ottawa (TBS, 7:30 p.m.) and Colorado at Los Angeles (TNT, truTV, 10 p.m.).
College baseball includes Alabama at Tennessee (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Kate Hudson, Monica Mangin. The View: Kate Hudson, Justin Theroux, Nikki Glaser. Kelly Clarkson: Colman Domingo, Patrick Ball, Ari Lennox, Kyle MacLachlan, Aaron Moten. Drew Barrymore: Zayn, Will Taylor. Jennifer Hudson: Jason Ritter, Kira Abboud. Tamron Hall: Keith Lee, Flagboy Giz.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sen,. Elizabeth Warren, Michael Stipe. Jimmy Kimmel: Ray Romano, Tracy Morgan. Jimmy Fallon: Kate Hudson, Taron Egerton, Noah Kahan, Red Richardson. Seth Meyers: Chrlize Theron, Jorma Taccone. Daily Show: Ben McKenzie.