What's On Tonight (Thursday): CBS! CBS! CBS!

 

Courtesy Collider.

Tonight's Top Pick is the timeslot premiere of Matlock, arguably the jewel in the crown of CBS Thursday's return. Of course, I could say the same thing about Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Ghosts, or Elsbeth. I'm just so glad to have scripted programming to recognize!

While I map out the next few weeks of Top Picks, let's see what else TV has to offer us for Thursday, Oct. 16. All times are Eastern.


STREAMING
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, 3:01 a.m., Peacock. Series premiere. "From 1972-1978, 33 young men were kidnapped, murdered, and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer's house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why? He was charming and funny. Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He even volunteered to entertain sick kids ... while dressed as a clown. The twisted layers of Gacy(Michael Chernus)'s life are peeled back while weaving in heartrending stories of his victims, exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends, and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities, and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror." Eight episodes available.

The Diplomat, 3:01 a.m., Netflix. Third season premiere. "U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), who accused Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) of hatching a terrorist plot and admitted she’s after the VP’s job, faces life now that the president is dead, her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell) may have inadvertently killed him, and Penn is leader of the free world. None of this slows Hal’s campaign to land Kate the vice presidency. Kate steps into a role she never wanted, with a freedom she never expected, an increasingly complicated friendship with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and an unnerving bond with First Gentleman Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford)." Eight episodes available.

Starting 5, 3:01 a.m., Netflix. Second season premiere. "Go behind the scenes of the lives of NBA stars Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tyrese Haliburton, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers stars ultimately meeting in the 2025 NBA Finals." Eight episodes available.

Karen Pirie, 3:01 a.m., Britbox. Second season finale. "A Darker Domain, Part III." "The case takes a dramatic turn and the pressure from all sides increases as Karen races to track down those responsible for the kidnap before the truth is buried."

Eli Manning Presents: The Undercovers, 3:01 a.m., Amazon. Second season finale. "Justin Jefferson." "Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson disguises himself as a nature photographer to explore and investigate the rapidly growing sport of flag football from an insider's perspective."

War Dawgz, 3:01 a.m., BET+. Special presentation. "The U.S. is under attack. Terrorists have struck New York, Washington DC, and Chicago. It's time to fight back." The ensemble cast includes Michael Beach, Raven-Symoné, Kadeem Hardison, Brandon Quintin Adams, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva, 3:01 a.m., Paramount+. "Ride or Die." " With the enemy in sight and everything on the line, Tony and Ziva must face all their fears." Season finale next week.

The Red King, 3:01 a.m., AMC+. "Owen and Winter think they're helping the case by conducting an illegal search of Gruffudd's house. Their actions prompt an angered response from an exhausted and unwell Grace." Season finale next week.

Silent Witness, 3:01 a.m., Britbox. "Homecoming, Part II." "The brutal murder of Bruce Morgan-Jones gives the police a link to an MP and possible conspiracy at local government."

Reasonable Doubt, 12:01 a.m., Hulu. "No Church in the Wild." "The defense gambles on a first witness, dragging Ozzie's dark trauma into the light. A family dinner shatters Lewis's perception of everything he thought he knew."

TALKIN' 'BOUT TALK

Today, 7 a.m., NBC. Richard Gere (The Widsom of Happiness) and Today Food. Later, LinkedIn's top startups, Nick Offerman (Little Woodchucks), Michael Chernus (Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy), and a fall home maintenance checklist. After, Matt Rogers guest co-hosts an hour with Lili Reinhart (American Sweatshop), Mychal Threets (Reading Rainbow), more Today Food, and fall accessories.

The View, 11 a.m., ABC. Laurence Fishburne (The Witcher) and Nick Offerman (Little Woodchucks).

The Steve Wilkos Show, times and stations vary. "As an infant, Lily suffered serious injuries at the hands of her father. She now wants to know if her mother had anything to do with the abuse. Later, Kaitlin says her stepfather sexually abused her, but her mother refuses to believe her."

Courtesy YouTube.

PRE-PRIMETIME SPORTS

MLB Baseball, 6 p.m., TBS and TruTV. National League Championship Series, Game 3. Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers.

Thursday Night Football, 7 p.m., Amazon. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals.

NHL Hockey, 7:30 p.m., ESPN+ and Hulu. Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Islanders.

Thursday Night College Football, 7:30 p.m., ESPN. Tulsa Golden Hurricane at East Carolina Pirates.

NBA Basketball, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2. Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks.

8 P.M.

9-1-1, ABC. "Spiraling." "As a geostorm ravages Earth, Athena and Hen's space mission teeters on the edge. On the ground, the 118 battles chaos when technology goes rogue."

Last Lands, 8:30 p.m., Disney+ and Hulu. Series premiere. "A deep dive into the battle to protect the health of the planet and streams. The gripping two-part documentary series, in partnership with Global Conservation, is hosted by award-winning ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff and spotlights conservation efforts to preserve Earth's most threatened ecosystems." Concludes next week.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, CBS. Second season premiere. "A Tie Breaker and a Huge Mistake." "Tensions rise in the tire store when new co-owners Georgie and Ruben realize they can't agree on anything. Jim struggles to find his purpose now that he's retired."

Ghosts, 8:30 p.m., CBS. Fifth season premiere. "Soul Custody." "Sam, Jay and the ghosts attempt to extricate Jay from his deal with Elias Woodstone, the devil. Isaac helps Patience through a crisis of confidence. Pete and Alberta navigate the fallout from their kiss."

Law & Order, NBC. "Two and Twenty." "A billionaire banker is murdered and the 2-7 must investigate his many clients and employees. Price and Maroun struggle to keep the jury's focus on the crime and not the victim's darker side."

The Sunshine Murders, UpTV. "The Art of Murder, Part II." "Helen, Thalia, and Shirley run into Helen's colleague George, at the island where they're on holiday to examine the body of the local heartthrob."

Hell's Kitchen, FOX. "There's Something Fishy Going On." "The chefs visit Stonington, Connecticut, to compete in a very fishy relay race. During dinner service, both teams step up their game but will it be enough to keep them in the competition?"

Police 24/7, The CW. "That's My Wife." "Police pursue a man recklessly driving a motorcycle. Officers coordinate with each other to pin in a suspected stolen car. Police respond to a traffic accident involving an injured woman. Police investigate a suspicious man going door to door asking for help getting his car unstuck."

The This Old House Hour, PBS. "Asheville: Waterproof Work" and "Washer Dryer Relocation." "In Swannanoa, Kevin helps Jim's brother Bill tile a bathroom. Father and son roofers JD and Jayden. Removing rot and replacing the damaged area of Paula's deck." Next, "Kevin meets with an audiologist to discuss the importance of hearing protection. Richard, Nathan and Heath team up to help a couple age in place by relocating their washer and dryer to the main floor."

The Real Housewives of Orange County, Bravo. "Going Dutch." "Shannon hosts a bridal lunch for Jenn. Heather opens up about her relationship with her father. Gina and Travis celebrate their family being back together. Tamra and Eddie prep to be empty nesters. The ladies head to Amsterdam and cruise the canals." Encore at 10:30 p.m.

MLB Baseball, 8:30 p.m., FS1. American League Championship Series, Game 4. Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners.

Movie Night!

The Terminator, 8:30 p.m., BBC America. 1984 movie.

Courtesy YouTube.

9 P.M.

Matlock, CBS. Time stop premiere. "Another Matlock." "While the team is tasked with protecting a witness, Matty and Olympia square off over the Wellbrexa document. Matty and Edwin contemplate whether or not to help Alfie's father."

English Teacher, FX. Second season finale. Sixty-seven minutes. "Lock In" and "Graduation." "The teachers oversee the school's overnight lock-in." Next, "The teachers try to prevent a student prank from ruining graduation." An encore follows.

9-1-1: Nashville, ABC. "Hell and High Water." "A tornado's path leads the Station 113 team to an intense rescue at a water tower. Ryan and his wife reach a turning point. Dixie has an assignment for Blue. Cammie coaches a distressed teenager through her mother's childbirth."

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC. "Clickbait." "When a tween suffers a life-threatening miscarriage, the SVU must unravel a web of online fabrications to identify a suspect. Rollins carefully weighs her career options."

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, FOX. "Mind Set." "The recruits must focus as they plummet down a 330-foot drop, then at the bottom, they must recite a set of coordinates which they were asked to memorize prior to the drop. The recruits are challenged to navigate through tight tunnels and trenches."

The Real Housewives of Miami, Bravo. Special presentation. "Reunion, Part III." "Lisa demands an apology. Larsa comes face to face with Jody. The ladies relive the good, the bad and the ugly from their travels by land and sea. Marysol is accused of stirring the pot behind the scenes." Encore at 11:30 p.m.

Movie Night!

Just Go With It, 9:30 p.m., MTV.

10 P.M. AND AFTER (NBC has a rerun of Law & Order: Organized Crime at 10.)

Elsbeth, 10 p.m., CBS. Time slot premiere. "Doll Day Afternoon." "When a murder investigation at a famous New York toy store spirals into a hostage crisis, Elsbeth must negotiate with Nolan (David Cross), the hapless ex-con inside. Captain Wagner clashes with a rival whose reckless tactics could turn the standoff deadly."

Grey's Anatomy, 10 p.m., ABC. "We Built This City." "The team at Grey Sloan navigates a chaotic first day of surgical rotations amid hospital renovations. Meredith spends time with Amelia."

Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, 10 p.m., Bravo. Bette Midler.

The Graham Norton Show, 11 p.m., BBC America. Julia Roberts, Colin Farrell, Gloria Estefan, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Robbie Williams.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, 11:35 p.m., CBS. Nick Offerman, who also does the Community Calendar, plus a cooking demo with José Andrés and Nathaniel Rateliff sitting in with Louis Cato and the Late Show Band.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 11:35 p.m., ABC. Maya Rudolph, Roy Wood Jr., and Wet Leg.

Nightline, 12:37 a.m., ABC.

Movie Night!

The Invisible Man, 10 p.m., Syfy. 2020 movie.

Courtesy YouTube.

LATE NIGHT PICK!

Angel Heart, 12:30 a.m., Showcase.

Sources: The Futon Critic, TV Passport, individual show websites, TV Everyday, IMDB, Google.