1) “Night Court” season-opener, 8:30 p.m., NBC. The opening scene is quick and brash – when was the last time you saw anyone smash Faberge eggs? — and goofy, but in a good way. The rest continues to have offbeat fun, giving Dan (John Larroquette) big questions: Why is his nemesis (Wendie Malick, shown here with Dan and a defendant) here? And could he be the father of Abby’s boyfriend?
2) “St. Denis Medical,” 8 p.m., NBC. For the scientific minds in a hospital, this is a tricky question: What about all the things that offer comfort, from religion to folklore? Dr. Ron (David Alan Grier) tries to mock that by announcing a “hex” on the place. Then (by coincidence?) there’s a swirl of odd – and very funny – events.
3) “Murder in a Small Town,” 8 p.m., Fox. Two bodies are found in the woods, in similar circumstances. Still, don’t jump to any conclusions. This is a smart, twisty hour that settles one story and pushes another to next week,
4) “Dancing With the Stars,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. A week from the finale, this is dominated by athletes. There are two Olympians – gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and rugby star Ilona Maher – plus DannyAmendola, a former pro football receiver and kick-returner. Others are actress Chandler Kinney and Joey Graziadei, from “The Bachelor.”
5) “Leonardo da Vinci” conclusion, 8-10 p.m., PBS. The second half of this lush documentary finds da Vinci already acknowledged as the world’s greatest painter. Except, he hardly ever paints; his restless mind takes him through science and nature, as major commissioned works aren’t completed.
— Mike Hughes, TV America