Guest Stars

Some TV shows really know how to use the venerable tradition of stunt casting. "All in the Family" created a classic when Sammy Davis Jr. dropped in on the Bunkers and gave racism the kiss-off. "Love Boat" trafficked in volume and variety, with an A-to-Z roll call of guest stars ranging from Eve Arden to Adrian Zmed. Lifetime's quirky fantasy "Drop Dead Diva" (9 p.m. EDT Sunday) is putting its own spin on the convention, boosted by a celebrity fan club that likes to do more than watch.

NBC says "30 Rock‘"s next season will be its last. The network said Thursday the much-acclaimed sitcom will have an abbreviated run of 13 episodes in its seventh season before calling it quits. The show has been a critical favorite since premiering in 2006. It has won numerous awards, as have its creator-star Tina Fey and co-star Alec Baldwin. Many high-profile guest stars, including Matt Damon, Elizabeth Banks and Al Gore, have appeared on the show. But the series was never a ratings smash, and this year its audience has dwindled to an average 3.5 million viewers.

NBC says "30 Rock‘"s next season will be its last. The network said Thursday the much-acclaimed sitcom will have an abbreviated run of 13 episodes in its seventh season before calling it quits. The show has been a critical favorite since premiering in 2006. It has won numerous awards, as have its creator-star Tina Fey and co-star Alec Baldwin. Many high-profile guest stars, including Matt Damon, Elizabeth Banks and Al Gore, have appeared on the show. But the series was never a ratings smash, and this year its audience has dwindled to an average 3.5 million viewers.

Awake 10 p.m., Channel 7 This new police-procedural-with-a-twist didn't do big numbers out of the box last week, but the intriguing new Jason Isaacs double-life drama did do better than several other recent denizens of this timeslot, including "Prime Suspect" and "The Playboy Club. " Hopefully, that will be enough to keep it on the air as we learn more about what's happening in Detective Michael Britten's two worlds. In this episode, he searches for a "little guy. " Saving Face 8:30 p.m., HBO The TV premiere of this powerful film should draw more notice since it just won the Oscar...

By Matthew Gilbert Once Upon a Time 8 p.m., Channel 5 Regina (Lana Parrilla, above), who is also the Evil Queen, wants Emma (Jennifer Morrison) to leave Storybrooke. Kristin Bauer from "True Blood" guest stars. Allen Gregory 8:30 p.m., Channel 25 Jonah Hill stars in this new animated series, as the voice of a snobby 7-year-old who suffers public school after his family's economic downturn. The Amazing Race 19 8 p.m., Channel 4 The race continues in Malawi.

Awake 10 p.m., Channel 7 This new police-procedural-with-a-twist didn't do big numbers out of the box last week, but the intriguing new Jason Isaacs double-life drama did do better than several other recent denizens of this timeslot, including "Prime Suspect" and "The Playboy Club. " Hopefully, that will be enough to keep it on the air as we learn more about what's happening in Detective Michael Britten's two worlds. In this episode, he searches for a "little guy. " Saving Face 8:30 p.m., HBO The TV premiere of this powerful film should draw more...

THE CHRISTMAS REVELS At: Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, Saturday afternoon. CAMBRIDGE - It would be fun to drag some of the politicians decrying the supposed "war on Christmas" to the Sanders Theatre for this year's Christmas Revels and watch them try to render a verdict. On one hand, they would see people sitting in pews, applauding a Nativity scene, singing traditional carols and warming themselves at the hearth of community. It's still called the Christmas Revels, not Holiday Revels.

By Matthew Gilbert Once Upon a Time 8 p.m., Channel 5 Regina (Lana Parrilla, above), who is also the Evil Queen, wants Emma (Jennifer Morrison) to leave Storybrooke. Kristin Bauer from "True Blood" guest stars. Allen Gregory 8:30 p.m., Channel 25 Jonah Hill stars in this new animated series, as the voice of a snobby 7-year-old who suffers public school after his family's economic downturn. The Amazing Race 19 8 p.m., Channel 4 The race continues in Malawi.

Some TV shows really know how to use the venerable tradition of stunt casting. "All in the Family" created a classic when Sammy Davis Jr. dropped in on the Bunkers and gave racism the kiss-off. "Love Boat" trafficked in volume and variety, with an A-to-Z roll call of guest stars ranging from Eve Arden to Adrian Zmed. Lifetime's quirky fantasy "Drop Dead Diva" (9 p.m. EDT Sunday) is putting its own spin on the convention, boosted by a celebrity fan club that likes to do more than watch.