Watch it
“How I Met Your Mother” (8 p.m., CBS). Ted and Zoey figure out the next step in their doomed relationship, and Barney celebrates “Desperation Day,” the day before Valentine’s when desperate women are desperate to hook up.
“Mad Love” (8:30 p.m., CBS). Series premiere. The plot sounds totally familiar, following four attractive, 30-something New Yorkers and their relationships. Sounds a lot like “HIMYM,” in fact. But the outstanding cast makes me think it might be better than it should be. Tyler Labine (“Reaper,” “Sons of Tucson”) stars as the sidekick/narrator, who tells the story of his best friend Ben (Jason Biggs, “American Pie”) and his new girlfriend, Kate (Sarah Chalke, “Scrubs”). Judy Greer (“Arrested Development,” “Archer”) plays Labine’s love interest, and I’ll watch her in anything. Should be worth checking out, and it looks like an improvement over “Rules of Engagement,” at least.
“The Chicago Code” (9 p.m., Fox). The police seek revenge after one of their own is gunned down. Was Gibbons behind it? Don’t worry, I’ve heard there’s less voice-over this week. Oooh, and Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins) debuts his new theme song for the show.
Record it
“Chuck” (8 p.m., NBC). Sarah is reunited with her former spy team — I can’t believe they’re really calling it this — the C.A.T. Squad. Sigh. Then they try to take down bad guy Lou Diamond Phillips.
“Top Gear” (8 p.m., BBC America). The guys head to Iraq to trace the route the Three Wise Men took to Bethlehem. Gossip Yikes.
“Gossip Girl” (9 p.m., The CW). Chuck makes a last-gasp effort to save Bass Industries, and Serena wrestles with her ridiculous feelings for Ben. Who until a month ago (in TV time) was plotting to destroy her life.
“The Colbert Report” (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central). LCD Soundsystem perform, just a matter of weeks before their (supposedly) final-ever performance.
Skip it
“The Bachelor” (8 p.m., ABC). What a great way to spend Valentine’s Day! Tonight the gang heads to Anguilla for a Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot, and Brad dumps two more women.
