Thursday TV Preview

TV’s famous peacock owns the Thursday night airwaves. The ultra-reliable duo of The Office and 30 Rock is complimented well by two promising new shows. One has Michael Scott in female form (Amy Poehler) and I Love You, Man babe Rashida Jones, while the other has O.C.‘s ‘Ryan’ trying his hand as a rookie cop in LA. So pull up a chair, prop those feet up, and let the NBC peacock blow your mind for 3 straight hours. Your preview after the break.

Parks and Recreation 8:30/7:30c on NBC

In the series pilot, mid-level bureaucrat Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) takes on what should be a fairly simple project: turn an abandoned construction site into a community park, but navigating the local government of Pawnee, Ind., proves to be quite the challenge. Tonight, Leslie embarks on a door-to-door campaign, hoping to build support for the park project, while Tom resorts to more questionable tactics.

The Office 8/7c & 9/8c on NBC

Tonight, the bizarre bond between Dwight and Michael faces a great challenge when Dwight begins to regard bigwig Charles (Idris Elba) as his newest hero. Meanwhile, Andy comes to Jim’s emotional rescue.

30 Rock 9.30/8.30c on NBC

Last week, Joy about the 50th "TGS" episode turned to worry when word spread about imminent budget cuts at 30 Rock. Before long, Jack distributed pink slips, Kenneth took on new responsibilities, and Liz wheeled and dealed to spare her staffers from layoffs. Meanwhile, Jenna and Tracy suspected that Kenneth masked a deep dark secret. Tonight, saddled with a suspension from work, a lost Liz misses all the "TGS" chaos and seeks a way to bide her time. Meanwhile, film bigwigs mull over pulling the plug on Jenna’s Janis Joplin movie, so Jack and Jenna try (just a little bit harder) to stir up buzz.

Southland 10/9c on NBC

Last week, in the opener of the police drama, rookie cop Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie) had a tough first day with his seasoned partner, Det. John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz), who prepared him for the realities of working the streets of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, a young girl was swiped from her yard. Tonight, the mother of an abandoned baby girl found in a busy intersection is sought, and the case stirs up past issues for Lydia. Elsewhere, Bryant and Moretta place a juvenile in a student police program in order to protect her.

Late Show Round-Up

–Listed Below from Best to Worst–

Leno 1135/1035c NBC

Jessica Alba, Bob Saget, Johnny Lang

Jimmy Fallon 1235/1135c NBC

Rachel McAdams, Michael Emerson, Matthew Stafford, Solange

Craig Ferguson 1235/1135c CBS

Madeleine Albright, Amy Smart

Jimmy Kimmel 1205/1105c ABC

Zac Efron, Patti Stranger, Franz Ferdinand

Letterman 1130/1030c CBS

Matthew Perry, Elisha Cuthbert, Rascal Flatts

—no new Conan until June 1st —

Happy Viewings– Screenjunkies.com