What's On Tonight (Thursday): Somebody better call Animal Control!

 

Via Giphy/Courtesy FOX.

Tonight's Top Pick is the premiere of Animal Control, which I hope has more going for it than wackiness. It isn't that wackiness wouldn't be fun, but how do you sustain that over the course of a series?

While I ponder the logistics, let's see what else TV has to offer us for Thursday, Feb. 16. All times are EST.


STREAMING
Star Trek: Picard, 3:01 a.m., Paramount+. Third season premiere. "The Next Generation." "After receiving a cryptic, urgent distress call from Dr. Beverly Crusher, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard enlists help from generations old and new to embark on one final adventure: a daring mission that will change Starfleet, and his old crew forever." Costarring, among others, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Martina Sirtis and Brent Spiner. Also featuring Daniel Davis and Amanda Plummer, plus a returning Jeri Ryan.

The Upshaws, 3:01 a.m., Netflix. Return. "A working-class Black family in Indiana strives for a better life and a happy home while juggling everyday struggles in this comedy series." Eight episodes available.

Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches, 3:01 a.m., AMC+. "Tessa." "Rowan makes a shocking discovery but has to deal with it alone. A tragic event brings Rowan closer to the Mayfairs, and Lasher. Sip falls deeper down the rabbit hole of the key necklace."

Poker Face, 3:01 a.m., Peacock. "The Future of the Sport." "While working at a go-kart complex, Charlie becomes involved in a bitter feud between an aging race car driver (Tim Blake Nelson) and a hotheaded young upstart (Charles Melton), whose rivalry has explosive consequences."

Wolf Pack, 3:01 a.m., Paramount+. "Fear and Pain." "Garrett joins Ramsey's Arson Task Force, hoping to stay ahead of the investigation and protect his children's secret. Blake tries to protect Danny from a monstrous encounter."

TALKIN' 'BOUT TALK

Today, 7 a.m., NBC. Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown) and the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios. Later, hair health, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Taye Diggs and Dr. Deepika Chopra's life lessons. Finally, "Love Week" continues, plus more with Elizabeth Debicki, Today Food and travel expert Adrianna Brach.

The View, 11 a.m., ABC. A Star Trek: The Next Generation reunion with View co-host Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden and Michael Dorn.

The Kelly Clarkson Show, times and stations vary. Joel McHale (Animal Control), Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts) and singer Corey Ward.

Tamron Hall, times and stations vary. "Susan Lucci talks about life after loss and her empowering new project." Susan's a widow, if you didn't already know. Also, "Brandice Daniel brings Harlem's Fashion Row to the Tam Fam" and Gus Kenworthy (Special Forces: World's Toughest Test).

Dr. Phil, times and stations vary. "For the Love of the Game?," concerning sports gambling.

Courtesy YouTube.

PRE-PRIMETIME SPORTS

PGA Tour Golf, 4 p.m., Golf. The first round of the Genesis Invitational, from Pacific Palisades, California.

College Basketball, 7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic at Middle Tennessee State, CBS Sports Network.

Louisville at Notre Dame, ESPN. Women's.

Houston at SMU, ESPN2.

UNC-Asheville at Radford, ESPNU.

NBA Basketball, 7:30 p.m., TNT. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls.

PRE-PRIMETIME MOVIES

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, 7 p.m., MTV2.

Indecent Proposal, 7:03 p.m., MoreMax.

Derailed, 7:04 p.m., StarzEncore.

Enemy of the State, 7:34 p.m., Syfy.

I, Robot, 7:55 p.m., FXM. Encore at 10:15 p.m.

Courtesy YouTube.

8 P.M.

The Parent Test, ABC. 2 hours, season finale. "It's All About Respect" and "America's Most Effective Parenting Style." "Disciplined, traditional and child-led parenting styles take center stage. Kids decide how their parents dress for a professional photo shoot. Families must face fear and frustration when they are trapped in a seemingly endless maze." Later, "The final two challenges of the season tackle some of the biggest obstacles families face. Kids are observed while seeing someone else being bullied. One family takes home the title of the 'Most Effective Parenting Style.'"

Next Level Chef, FOX. "Party Like a Guac Star." "The chefs each prepare a dish from Mexico. One contestant is eliminated."

Law & Order, NBC. "Heroes." "After shots are fired in a popular nightclub, Cosgrove and Shaw suspect the spree was a ruse to target a sole victim. When security footage mysteriously disappears, Price and Maroun must rely on a witness who values reputation over facts."

Walker, The CW. "Past is Prologue." "As Cordell and Cassie dig deeper into the deaths of his military buddies, he uncovers some inconsistencies that may reveal truths he's not ready to face. Trey is presented with a new opportunity. Capt. James receives some news from Kelly."

Young Sheldon, CBS. "A Frat Party, a Sleepover and the Mother of All Blisters." "Paige drags Sheldon to a college party. Missy gets caught in a lie."

Ghosts, 8:31, CBS. "A Date to Remember." "Sam and Jay help Thorfinn create a perfect first date with Flower. Hetty feels slighted by the ghosts' new housemate, Nigel."

This Old House, PBS. "Newburyport: Powering Through." "Disconnecting the main power. The old bump out is demoed. The bathroom is tested for asbestos. A carpenter talks about working with Parkinson's disease. The removal of the vinyl siding reveals the original clapboards."

Who Killed Our Father?, Lifetime Movie Network. Premiere, 2 hours. "After the death of her foster sister, Leila takes a DNA test and discovers the identity of her biological father and sister. However, when her father is tragically murdered, she soon finds herself in more danger than she ever could have imagined."

Movie Night!

Now You See Me, AMC.

Ant-Man and the Wasp, FX. Encore at 10:31 p.m.

The Cabin in the Woods, HBO2.

Beverly Hills Cop, Sho2.

West Side Story, TCM.

9 P.M. (CBS has a So Help Me Todd rerun tonight.)

Animal Control, 9:01 p.m., FOX. Series premiere. "Weasels and Ostriches." "Shred encounters a wild weasel in an attic. Frank slips his Slim Jim in Shred's back pocket as they approach a dozen ostriches."

Call Me Kat, 9:30 p.m., FOX. "Call Me Better Than Paul Rudd." "Kat and Max move in together and host a Super Bowl party in their new apartment but face some relationship trouble along the way. Randi tries to make some extra cash."

Nikki Bella Says I Do, E! Season finale, 90 mins. "We'll Always Have Paris." "After a roller-coaster week, Nikki, Artem and Matteo are finally reunited in Paris. Nikki and Artem must lay all their cards on the table before they walk down the aisle. The romance and spontaneity of Paris helps reignite a spark between the couple."

La Otra Mirada, PBS. 90 mins. "There Is No Failure." "Still upset and disappointed with Vicente, Luisa receives a visit from someone unexpected, her son Arcadio and Catalina, his fiancee."

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC. "Dutch Tears." "A recently released convict goes looking for his arresting officer, Fin Tutuola. Carisi tries to get an arrest warrant without a positive suspect ID."

Walker: Independence, The CW. "The Pittsburgh Windmill." "Abby proposes a scheme to reroute the railroad away from Calian's tribal land. Tom finds the tables turned while attempting to take down his brother. Kate and Kai navigate their fractured friendship. Gus remains convinced that Tom is up to no good."

NHL Hockey, ESPN. New Jersey Devils vs. St. Louis Blues.

College Basketball

Santa Clara at BYU, CBS Sports Network.

Ohio State at Iowa, ESPN2.

Tennesee State at Morehead State, ESPNU.

Movie Night!

Spider-Man: Far From Home, StarzEncore.

Long Shot, MoreMax.

Like Water for Chocolate, 9:35 p.m., The Movie Channel Xtreme.

Beverly Hills Cop II, 9:45 p.m., Sho2.

Memento, 9:55 p.m., Cinemax.

Courtesy YouTube.

10 P.M.

CSI: Vegas, CBS. "Third Time's the Charm." "The team investigates the mysterious death of a competitive eating contestant. Chavez partners with Allie to prove where the mysterious silver ink notes have been coming from."

Law & Order: Organized Crime, NBC. "All in the Game." "When a member of the task force goes missing, Teddy takes advantage of the chaos to make his escape. Bell secures a key piece of evidence in her case against Murphy."

The Chase, ABC. "Hoping This is a Slumdog Millionaire Moment." "Chaser James 'The High Roller' Holzhauer battles against a murder mystery enthusiast, a veterinary pathologist, and a Michigan local whose irrational fear includes floating heads."

CMT Storytellers, CMT. Second season premiere. "Kelsea Ballerini shares intimate stories in between performances of her beloved hits, 'Peter Pan' 'Miss Me More,' 'homecoming queen?' and more. Audience members get a chance to ask Kelsea questions."

Impractical Jokers, TBS/TruTV. "Post Malone." "The jokers give unsolicited etiquette advice and live tape strange product reviews. One lucky joker takes all the blame for celebrity guest Post Malone."

NBA Basketball, TNT. L.A. Clippers vs. Phoenix Suns.

Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Bravo. Liam Neeson and Paul Rudd.

Johnny Carson, Antenna. Jay Leno, Fred Savage and magician Brian Gillis are the guests on this Feb. 2, 1989 episode.

Movie Night!

Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, 10:15 p.m., The Movie Channel.

The Men Who Stare at Goats, 10:25 p.m., HBO Signature.

Now You See Me 2, 10:30 p.m., AMC.

The Other Guys, 10:30 p.m., Bravo. Encore at 1:03 a.m.

Olympus Has Fallen, 10:55 p.m., Paramount.

LATE NIGHT TALK

The Daily Show, 11 p.m., Comedy Central. Guest Host Sarah Silverman.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:34 p.m., NBC. James Spader, Jay Hernandez and Samara Joy.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, 11:35 p.m., CBS. Rev. Al Sharpton and Jessica Williams.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 11:35 p.m., ABC. Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, Mike Epps and Beck.

The Late Late Show With James Corden, 12:36 a.m., CBS. Niall Horan and Orlando Bloom.

Late Night With Seth Meyers, 12:36 a.m., NBC. Tina Fey, Nate Bargatze and sittting in with the 8G Band, Zoë Brecher.

Via Tenor.

LATE NIGHT PICK!

Pulp Fiction, 1 a.m., BBC America. Also airing at 8 p.m.

Sources: Futon Critic, zap2it, individual show websites, IMDB, Google, Interbridge, TV Everyday.