Watch it
“Dinner With the Band” (8 p.m., IFC). A cool, quirky, super low-budget show that mixes cooking and indie bands. Tonight’s musical guest is — I think (IFC’s site isn’t very detailed) — YACHT, a Portland duo whose “Psychic City (Voodoo City)” was one of 2009’s catchiest tunes. They’re vegans, but it should still be interesting.
“Better Off Ted” (8:30 and 9:30 p.m., ABC). Two new episodes tonight, each preceded by very skippable new episodes of “Scrubs.”
“Chopped” (10 p.m., Food Network). Tonight’s “Top Chef”-lite looked good in the commercials. A chef whose hair looks like the love child of Anne Burrell and Doc Brown drops a hot pan and gets chastened or something. The commercial probably made it look more dramatic than it is, but still . . . .
“Daily Show” (11 p.m., Comedy Central). George Lucas is the guest. I wanna see Jon Stewart grill him for a response to this brilliant dissection of “The Phantom Menace.”
“Late Show with David Letterman” (11:30 p.m., CBS). It’s an indie geek’s dream lineup: Amy Adams, Zachary Levi and Vampire Weekend.
Record it
“Nova: Killer Subs of Pearl Harbor” (8 p.m., PBS). Was it a Japanese mini-sub — not an aircraft — that sank the USS Arizona? New evidence says maybe. Sounds like an interesting documentary.
“Wild Recon” (8 p.m., Animal Planet). Series premiere. A crazy dude gets dropped off into the middle of nowhere and battles the elements and wild animals. Sounds very “Man vs. Wild,” except this guy captures specimens of exotic, deadly animals for scientific research. Tonight he’s in Australia to wrestle an emu and tries to catch a deadly sea snake with — what else? — his hands. I might have to watch this.
“Howe & Howe Tech” (10 p.m., Discovery). Series premiere. Want explosions? (Yes, please!) This new series follows a couple of brothers who develop weapons systems. Tonight they test their mini-tank against TNT and high-caliber bullets.
“Chelsea Lately Bloopers” (10:30 p.m., E). Bloopers, outtakes and unseen footage from the best secret in late-night shows. Should be good for a few laughs.
Skip it
Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Iowa (5 p.m., Fox). Unless you’re an alumni or have money riding on it, there’s absolutely no reason to watch this game.
“Homecoming with Rick Reilly” (8 p.m., ESPN). His sports columns were great 10-plus years ago, but Reilly’s gone downhill. And he’s awful on TV. Tonight he tries to interview Hornets guard Chris Paul. Tune in if you’re a fan of cliches.
