Critic’s corner

November 17, 2010|Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff

Modern Family 9 p.m., Channel 5

There are a few very touching relationships tucked into all the character comedy on this show. My favorite is the bond between Ed O’Neill’s Jay and Rico Rodriguez’s Manny, stepfather and stepson. The moment when Jay called Manny his kid a few weeks ago was so sweet — sweet but not sappy, as the writers and O’Neill moved forward from it quickly. The two guys are so different, with Jay as the brusque manly man and Manny as the bold romantic, but they blend together beautifully. Pictured: Sofia Vergara, Rodriguez, O’Neill.

Human Target 8 p.m., Channel 25

Fox is hoping to expand the audience for this action series this season. “Human Target’’ returns with some tweaks, ushered in by new showrunner Matthew Miller (“Chuck,’’ “Las Vegas’’). There will be more women on the scene — Indira Varma and Janet Montgomery are new regulars — and the stunt-heavy fight sequences will be balanced with more humor. What won’t change: Mark Valley’s wink-wink good guy and his team, played by Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley.

The Man With Half a Body 8 p.m., TLC

The channel with half a brain.

Boardwalk Empire 10 p.m., HBO

Hello Jimmy. It’s so nice to have you back where you belong.

I’m Alive 8 p.m., Animal Planet

Hey, so is Eddie Vedder.

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