Queerview television guide: September 17

Thursday night returns to being comedy night with the return of several critically-praised series. The season premieres of Parks & Recreation and The Office offer gay-themed episodes while fx's bad behavior comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia returns for another season of poorly-conceived schemes.

But first, Fish's parents have arrived in Llanview and we'll be following their arrival with a liveblog, so be sure to join us starting at 2 PM Eastern!

The Today Show (NBC) Check local listings
Gay-faves Megan Mullally, Debbie Allen and Bebe Neuwirth are expected to stop by to discuss the Fame remake.

The Early Show (CBS) Check local listings
Today's show includes a visit to the set of How I Met Your Mother with the cast, including king of the AfterElton Hot 100 Neil Patrick Harris.

One Life to Live (ABC) Check local listings
It'll certainly be interesting to see how Cristian handles the surprise arrival of Ma and Pa Fish... does he go about phoning alerts to Layla and Oliver? Does he give them a wacky set of bad directions?

The Tyra Banks Show (syndicated) Check local listings
As part of Tyra taking a look at plastic surgery horrors, like people who tried to give themselves silicone injections, Tyra will be talking to the cast of Addicted to Beauty.

Bones (Fox) 8:00 PM EDT
Gay icon Cyndi Lauper guest-stars in tonight's season premiere as a psychic who sets the Jeffersonian team on the trail of multiple bodies burred in the capitol.

Parks & Recreation (NBC) 8:30 PM EDT
Amy Poehler's mockumentary series gets a bit gay in tonight's second-season premiere. Leslie Knope's latest political stumble comes when she officiates the wedding of two penguins at the local zoo -- but when it turns out she married a pair of gayguins, it starts a storm of controversy.

The Office (NBC) 9:00 PM EDT
Most seasons I'd be mentioning the return of The Office by noting the existence of gay accountant Oscar and his barely-there status. However, tonight's season premiere also has Andy Bernard (Daily Show alum Ed Helms) questioning his heterosexuality. Could the friendship he struck up with Oscar last season have anything to do with this?

Fringe (Fox) 9:00 PM EDT
Fox Thursday-night guest star list continues to grab our attention with Noah's Arc alum Christian Vincent plays Olivia's doctor.

Christian Vincent

Project Runway (Lifetime) 10:00 PM EDT
The remaining competitors have to "use newspapers to create fashion" -- does this mean we're getting a challenge where they have to make use of unusual materials? If so, can't wait.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (fx) 10:00 PM EDT
For four seasons, the gang of cretins at Paddy's pub have shown that you can create an offensive comedy with gay jokes that don't even approach the borderline of homophobia. Hopefully, this fifth season will continue that tradition as they face the mortgage crisis, a road trip, internet dating and "kitten mittens". 

(As a side note, the Always Sunny premiere will be followed by a stealth preview of Archer, the new animated spy parody from the creators of the gay-inclusive Frisky Dingo, which also managed to deliver gay jokes without getting homophobic.)

Watch What Happens Live (Bravo) Midnight EDT
Andy Cohen's chatfest includes Lance Bass on the guest list tonight.

Daytime Preview for Friday, September 18

The View (ABC) Check local listings
It looks like Kathy Griffin recieved an unbanning because she's scheduled to appear on tomorrow's show along with Rachel Zoe. And just after they faced Joel McHale who has mocked them so much. And to make things even more interesting, Kate Gosselin is guest-hosting.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated) Check local listings
Emmy Awards host Neil Patrick Harris visits Ellen just in time to talk up both the Emmys and How I Met Your Mother.

One Life to Live (ABC) Check local listings
Oliver's visit from the parents is supposed to continue today as he struggles to come out to them.