30 Rock 8:30 p.m., Channel 7
This sitcom has won three best-comedy Emmys and countless media plugs, but it nonetheless lags in the ratings. Last week’s season premiere drew 6.3 million viewers, which was down 30 percent from last year’s. I wonder if the show would do better on a different night, when the competition isn’t so fierce. In any case, the writing is as good as ever tonight, as Will Arnett returns as Jack’s arch nemesis, Devin Banks.
FlashForward 8 p.m., Channel 5
You can relax, if you’re getting into this show. Since the ratings have been solid so far, ABC has announced a full-season order. I hope future episodes of the sci-fi mystery series add depth and distinction to the characters, though. We need to care more about these people - including Joseph Fiennes’s Mark - in order to continue to care about the mystery they’re enveloped in.
Nature’s Most Amazing Events 8 p.m., Animal Planet
A lion stalks a wildebeest. Hasn’t that poor lady gotten enough attention?
Vampire Diaries 8 p.m., Channel 56
Dear Diary, my pimples don’t show at night!
Deep Fried Paradise 10 p.m., Travel Channel
Is that code for “open bar’’?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail 10 p.m., IFC
Bring out your dead. No ratdog, though, please.
Private Practice 10 p.m., Channel 5
Violet has post-stress trauma.