NBC insists on releasing its fall sitcoms in dribs and drabs. The latest one to get a premiere is the self explanatory “Guys with Kids” (NBC, 10 p.m.). Somebody in Hollywood thought it’d be funny to show fathers raising their own kids – what a crazy idea! Unfortunately it’s not as funny as they imagine.
Jesse Bradford, Anthony Anderson and Zach Cregger are buddies who also must watch their own toddlers. They also have to manage their various wives or exes (Erinn Hayes, Tempestt Blrdsoe and Jamie-Lynn Sigler). Enter the laugh track.
The jokes or either dim or predictable or both and the thing plays like one of those Capitol One commercials with the baby and Jimmy Fallon, who also happens to be the producer. The time slot premiere is Sept. 26 at 8:30 p.m.
It follows the final performance show of “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.), which actually dipped in the ratings after the big hype of hiring Howard Stern as a judge. Certainly they didn’t find a lot of great acts. The final six include a dog trick act, a young dance troupe, a stand-up comic, an “Earth harpist,” “art performers,” and a sand artist.
NBC rounds out its night with the third audition show this week alone for “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.). The fourth hour is just their way of being nasty counterprogramming against the season premiere of the second season of “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.). It’s got its own high profile new judges this year, with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato replacing Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger on the panel with Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.
With two competing singing shows tonight, you’d think finding a new pop star were more important than determining the President.
Wish I could see the series finale of “Damages” (DirecTV, 9 p.m.), the strong legal drama with Glenn Close and Rose Byrne which moved to the satellite service a season ago.
It’s a rare Wednesday night elimination night on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.). Ian put Danielle and Jenn up for eviction, but a power of veto competition still needs to happen.
Yet another chance to see the pilot of the dumb vet show with a monkey, “Animal Practice” (NBC, 10:30 p.m.).
Stu Stone performs on a new episode of “Oh, Sit!” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
The second part of Richard Wagner’s “Ring” cycle, “Die Walkure,” is performed on “Great Performances at the Met” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
A father-son team collects and restores antique guns for resale on the new series “Family Guns” (National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.).
Mike Rowe hunts for opal on “Dirty Jobs Down Under” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
Strangely, in “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (TLC, 10 p.m.), there’s no Honey Yogi (Though there is a Sugar Bear).
The Robert Osborne interview in “Private Screenings: Lauren Bacall” (TCM, 8 p.m., 3:15 a.m.) kicks off the month-long Wednesday night salute to the actress, which continues with “Confidential Agent” (TCM, 9 p.m.), “Young Man with a Horn” (TCM, 11:15 p.m.) and “Bright Leaf” (TCM, 1:15 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jeremy Irons, Owl City. Katie Couric: Heidi Klum. The View: Amy Adams, Dr. Drew Pinsky. The Talk: Aaron Sanchez, Brooke Shields. Ellen DeGeneres: Dave Mattnews Band, Allison Janney, Reese Witherspoon.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Amy Adams, Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., Hacienda (rerun). Jay Leno: Kristen Bell, Ryan Lochte, regina Spektor (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Slightly Stoopid. Jimmy Fallon: Amy Adams, David Gregory, Rory Mcllroy, Florence & the Machine. Craig Ferguson: Heather Graham, Joel Stein. Tavis Smiley: Peter Edelman. Carson Daly: Katharine McPhee, Wallpaper (rerun). Jon Stewart: Democratic Convention wrap-up (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Ed Rendell (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Bob Costas, Lake Bell, the Hives. Chelsea Handler: Tim Gunn, Dan Maurio, Fortune Feimster, Marc Maron.