It's been a big year for fictionalized mall cops, what with Paul Blart and Ronnie Barnhardt, the hopelessly anger-plagued cop in Observe and Report. Tonight, security guards have the opportunity to shed their schlumpy, Segway-riding stereotypes with TLC's premiere of Mall Cops: Mall of America. The Bloomington, Minnesota shopping center was flooded with requests to film a reality documentary after the mall cop films this year, but chose the production company who promised to most positively depict the mall and its cops (so don't expect any date rape jokes or Segway gags here).
Mall Cops: Mall of America [10 PM, TLC]
The Learning Channel promises viewers an action-packed day at the country's second largest mall, experienced through the eyes of the security team. Even though we probably won't see any shoppers heckling the cops, there will be a shoplifting arrest, a screaming crazy, and a celebrity on a rollercoaster. The hour-long program could be turned into a series if it is successful tonight.
30 Rock [9:30 PM, NBC]
The Jay Leno Show's funniest lead-in premieres its fourth season, following brand new episodes of Community, Parks & Recreation and The Office. Jack (Alec Baldwin) promotes TGS with Tracy Jordan while cutting costs at the network. Tracy (Tracy Morgan) is uncharacteristically inspired to connect with the public. Liz (Tina Fey) and Pete (Scott Adsit) search for new on-camera talent and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) takes part in a strike. Steve Buscemi guest stars.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia [10 PM, FX]
The Philadelphia bar mates test the limits of socially acceptable behavior again in tonight's episode when Dee (Kaitlin Olson) jealously attempts to derail the Waitress's (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) wedding. Meanwhile, Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and Mac (Rob McElhenney) drag despondent Charlie (Charlie Day) back into the dating scene.
Paper Moon [8 PM, TCM]
Twenty-five years later, Tatum O'Neal's record as the youngest Academy Award winner (she was 10 years old) still stands despite the wealth of child actors and actresses littering Hollywood these days. Even if the public is currently more familiar with O'Neal's family struggles and drug dalliances than her career-defining film, her 1974 performance is still impressive as the spunky, pint-size con artist. She stars opposite her father, Ryan O'Neal.