What 2 Watch Thursday: 5/1/08

Welcome to IGN TV's What 2 Watch -- your guide to what's noteworthy on TV each night. You may notice we'll point out shows worth watching that air at the same time -- it's up to you to make a choice or fire up a DVR.

THURSDAY, MAY 01, 2008

Smallville: "Apocalypse" -- 8:00pm ET/PT on The CW. Clark discovers that Kara sent messages from Krypton in the past that indicate that Brainiac wants to kill Baby Kal-El so Clark will not exist in the future. Clark is torn because he thinks the world would be better off if he had never arrived in Smallville. Jor-El arranges for him to see what life would have been like if Clark hadn't existed.

My Name Is Earl: "Love Octagon" -- 8:00pm ET/PT on NBC. After waking up from a coma, Earl now knew what was important in his life and he was set on going after it. He knew that he had to find Billie, whom he felt karma brought to him to be his soul mate. However, no one knew where to find Billie and so Earl turned to an unlikely place, Frank. Elsewhere, Darnell and Joy have moved into the Crab Shack, since their trailer is still turned on its side.

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? -- 8:00pm ET/PT on Fox. The new 5th grade class extends a helping hand on this atypical quiz show that tests adults' lack of knowledge as revealed by how much they've forgotten since elementary school. Grownups again find themselves in a classroom setting, revisiting their youth, as they tackle subjects they've already been taught, ranging from art to geography and math to social studies. However, the players are not alone. There is a way for contestants to "cheat" in this classroom. The adults have the opportunity to get some help from real grade-schoolers, who will offer what they think is the correct a-n-s-w-e-r.

Survivor: Fans vs Favorites: "I'm Gonna Fix Her!" -- 8:00pm ET/PT on CBS. One castaway goes from being a power player to the most desperate of all before making a huge discovery that could change the course of the game. Meanwhile, Alexis and James both suffer injuries that could potentially threaten their fate.

Ugly Betty: "Burning Questions" -- 8:00pm ET/PT on ABC. An increasingly delusional Renee becomes convinced that Betty is in love with Daniel and therefore is her rival for his affections. Meanwhile, Hilda's new client at the beauty shop turns out to be ex-neighbor and lifetime nemesis Gina Gambarro, who returns to Queens to rub her fabulous life and wealthy doctor husband in Hilda's face.

NBA Basketball -- 8:00pm ET/PT on TNT. Playoffs.

I haven't been able to catch every game, but I try to catch one or two a week. Last night's Spurs vs Suns game was excellent. It came down to the last minute of the game and turnovers. If the Suns had made more freethrows and committed fewer turnovers, that series wouldn't have ended so soon and we'd be headed back to Phoenix.

Scrubs: "My Waste of Time" -- 8:30 pm ET/PT on NBC. Elliott and J.D. seek out a former patient in order to give him compensation for prescribing a medication, which later proves to have several negative side effects. Through this experience, J.D. and Elliot realize there has been a major change in their relationship. Meanwhile, now that Dr. Kelso is no longer working at the hospital, Dr. Cox loves his new title, however, he is unsure if he wants all of the problems that come with it. Elsewhere, Carla approaches Turk about the possibility of having another child.

The Office: "Did I Studder?" -- 9:00pm ET/PT on NBC. When Stanley snaps at Michael during a meeting, Michael tries to give Stanley an attitude adjustment. Dwight decides to buy Andy's car. Meanwhile, Pam deals with an unexpected inconvenience after spending the night at Jim's.

Supernatural: "Long-Distance Call" -- 9:00pm ET/PT on The CW. Dean is stunned after he receives a phone call from his dad who tells him he has a solution to get Dean out of his deal. Sam and Dean fight because Sam is skeptical that it is really John on the other end of the phone and warns Dean not to listen to him but Dean disagrees and sets off on his own path to follow his father's orders.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: "The Theory of Everything" -- 9:00pm ET/PT on CBS. Grissom and his team discover several victims who have green blood, leading them to the conclusion that their deaths are somehow connected.

Don't Forget the Lyrics: "Episode 132" -- 9:00pm ET/PT on Fox. Poison front man and "Rock of Love" star Bret Michaels takes center stage for a chance to win $1 million for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and St. Jude's Children Research Hospital. Will he rock hard or fall flat?

American Chopper: "Manitowoc Crane Company Bike" -- 9:00pm ET/PT on TLC. OCC does some heavy lifting as they create an industrial-themed bike for the Manitowoc Crane Group. As the build moves forward and the theme comes to life, Mikey lectures a group of second graders.

TNA: iMPACT! -- 9:00pm ET/PT on Spike TV. iMPACT! delivers a distinct brand of high-risk athletic entertainment. Taking pro-wrestling to the extreme, TNA takes younger talent and gives them a stage which would otherwise not be available. The result of the high-flying wrestling is total non-stop action.

Grey's Anatomy: "Piece of My Heart" -- 9:00pm ET/PT on ABC. Addison returns to Seattle Grace to perform an operation and is taken aback by all of the changes in her old co-workers' lives. Meanwhile Meredith and Derek's clinical trial has its first patient, and Rebecca/Ava returns with shocking news for Alex.

30 Rock: "Sandwich Day" -- 9:30pm ET/PT on NBC. Liz gets a phone call from her ex-boyfriend Floyd, whose flight has been canceled and needs a place to stay overnight. After a decision by the Board of Directors', Jack is demoted down to the 12th floor causing him to question his future with the company. Meanwhile, it's Annual Sandwich Day at TGS, and the Teamsters give delicious sandwiches to the staff from a mysterious sandwich shop in Brooklyn. Liz is furious when her sandwich is stolen forcing Tracy, Kenneth, Jenna and Frank to uncover the secret location from the Teamsters lead by Mickey J.

Lost: "Something Nice Back Home" -- 10:00pm ET/PT on ABC. When Jack's health is seriously compromised, Kate and Juliet must learn to work together in order to save him; and something goes wrong as Sawyer, Claire, Aaron and Miles continue their trek away from Locke's camp and back to the beach.

ER: "Under Pressure" -- 10:00pm ET/PT on NBC. Pratt decides to fight for his relationship with Bettina despite her reluctance. Neela treats a young injured couple but quickly finds out about their criminal status. Abby is scared her relationship with Kovac is over when he shows signs of giving up.

Without a Trace: "A Dollar and a Dream" -- 10:00pm ET/PT on CBS. The FBI suspects foul play is involved in the disappearance of a lottery winner who vanishes after coming into millions. Meanwhile, Jack runs a background check on Brian Donovan and discovers some troubling information about him.

Miami Ink: "We are Family" -- 10:00pm ET/PT on TLC. Things are more hectic than ever in the shop. Dre has to pass her certification test or the shop's out a manager. Darren's in love and he's moving fast. Between a new fiancée and baby on the way, he's facing some big life changes.

Lil' Bush: President of the United States: "Wedding" -- 10:30pm ET/PT on Comedy Central. When Lil' Bill Clinton invites Lil' George to his "Rainbow Party," Barbara and George realize he's growing up too fast. They decide the best way to preserve George's innocence is in a "purity wedding" in which he marries Barbara. When Lil' George decides his own father's a better match, they are forced to have a gay wedding, sending Barbara into the arms of super-smooth man-about-town Colin Powell.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart -- 11:00pm ET/PT on Comedy Central. Democratic National Committee Chairman, Howard Dean.

The Colbert Report -- 11:30pm ET/PT on Comedy Central. Author of World Made by Hand, James Kunstler.

Check IGN TV again tomorrow to see What 2 Watch for Friday, May 2.