Spotlight Show of the Night
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) – A new murder leads to a connection with an infamous serial killer. This, in turn, leads Grissom to the class of criminal pathologist Dr. Raymond Langston, or Laurence Fishburne as he’s known to you and me.
As we all know, William Petersen is leaving the show and Fishburne is slated to replace him. This episode is where that process goes down, so this is big stuff in the nine-year history of this show. It’s also a test for the CSI franchise. Can these series survive a major cast change in the lead role? Law & Order proved that it could years ago, so CBS is hoping. If not, this ratings juggernaut could show signs of weakness that the other networks could exploit. Except NBC. They’d probably just expand Jay Leno to two hours.
Beginnings, Endings & Specials
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (Cartoon Network, 8:30 p.m./7:30 p.m., 1st Season Finale) – Tonight, Flapjack faces off against the tough kids from the bad side of town. Then, Bubbie advises him not to follow K’nuckles in the second short. That’s all I got kids. I’ve never seen this cartoon. Sorry about that.
NFL: Saints at Bears (NFL Network, 8:15 p.m./7:15 p.m.) – Both teams are 7-6 and yet the Saints are in last in their division while the Bears are in second. Football is a crazy beast that way. So how is this Thursday night thing working? It makes for a short week for the team and not everyone has the NFL Network still. I guess if you do have it, it gives you the chance to see one more game in a given week, since so many of them are on at the same times on Sunday.
Ratzilla (The Discovery Channel, 10:00 p.m./9:00 Central) – While sightings of enormous rats are being reported in places as disparate as New Jersey and Florida, Discovery takes a look at what’s going on and what the greater implications of this implosion of enormity could mean.
A Renaissance Christmas (PBS, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central) – Chicago’s Music of the Baroque Chorus and Brass Ensemble put on a concert of music from medieval, Renaissance and early baroque periods but I guess that was too long for the title. Plus “Renaissance” sounds a lot classier then “tune in to see medieval music.” They’ll play classical pieces of the era as well as Christmas pieces as they were originally performed, so it should be a neat show.
The Sarah Silverman Program. (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m./9:30 p.m. Central, 2nd Season Finale) – Sarah decides to take a pot-shot at the sham that is marriage by getting engaged to Doug, her dog. But when he saves her life, she begins to rethink the seriousness of her gesture. Which in the world of Sarah Silverman means she does something outrageous like marry him and try to consummate the union. I’m just saying.
The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest Criminals (TruTV, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central) – Do I even have to explain what this is? With commentary from law-enforcement personnel and journalists, we can look at some of the stupidest people to ever commit crimes with raw footage and professional analysis of their idiocy.
Total Drama Island (Cartoon Network, 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central, Series Finale) – It’s a “Rejected Olympic” run for the final two contestants on this bizarre cartoon reality competition show. Think Drawn Together only a lot less vulgar and disturbing. Plus, it’s a competition reality show.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Dec 11, 2008 @ 18:00 EST5EDT
I missed the initial post where the format changed, so was very confused when I started seeing the new format. I loved the old style since it allowed me to see what was new, and also go back and catch up on things that I missed watching that night (it is hard to find historical tv listings). With the rise in catchup services on the internet, your previous listing format meant I never missed anything.