• The competition in Thursday’s opening prime-time slot continues to stiffen. I wouldn’t dream of missing UPN’s Everybody Hates Chris or ABC’s Alias - which currently boasts a guest run by Angel’s Amy Acker. But another Buffy/Angel alumnus might just force me to make room for Smallville (WB, tonight, 8 ET/PT): James Marsters, formerly known as Spike, now known as Brainiac. Plus, you get a special appearance by Aquaman, played by former American Idol contestant Alan Ritchson.

• CBS would rather you watch Survivor (8 ET/PT), which has a double elimination tonight. The network insists that this edition is the most challenging yet, which may be true, and that it’s TV’s best-rated reality show, which is certainly true (at least until Idol returns). But is it the most entertaining edition? Not quite, but it is better than any other current reality series, with the exception of America’s Next Top Model. And that includes the usual winner of that quality competition, CBS’ Amazing Race, still trundling along with its fatally dull families.

• As for NBC, it’s an act of mercy these days to ignore Joey (8 p.m. ET/PT). You may, however, want to start paying attention again to Will & Grace (8:30 p.m. ET/PT), which is having a surprisingly strong season. Tonight, Richard Chamberlain, once known as the king of the miniseries, guests as an elderly man Will befriends.