Thursday Watch List: Jay Leno Is Your New Larry King

Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch at home while you stay at home and get ready for the new “Harry Potter” movie. I myself am already ‘faced on butterbeer. LET’S GO!

THE TONIGHT SHOW – 11:30PM (NBC) Former President George W. Bush stops by Leno’s studio to plug his new book, “Decision Points.” This, I believe, is W’s first late-night appearance in a very long time, if ever. And he couldn’t have chosen a better foil in Leno, who will likely avoid any hard-boiled questioning of the former commander-in-chief. I can’t imagine Bush ever accepting similar invitations from Dave or Jon Stewart. That just wouldn’t ever happen. It would certainly make for more compelling TV, but I doubt Bush would ever want to deal with the hassle.

When Larry King was forced to retire a while back, a lot of people speculated on his replacement before CNN went and hired that British guy. But now, it’s clear to me that King’s spiritual successor won’t be that guy, but rather Leno. They’re virtually identical, minus eight wives or so. ANTICIPATION: BUSHHHHHHH!

CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING – 8:00PM (ABC) The Peanuts gang celebrates the holiday in this annual special -- the one that doesn’t have a Great Pumpkin or an extended recital of Bible verses. The hour-long special includes a bonus cartoon, “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers,” in which the characters are all passengers aboard the legendary Pilgrim ship. ANTICIPATION: HOLIDAY MAGIC!

PAWN QUEENS – 10:00PM (TLC) If you own a pawn shop or an auction house, cable TV wants you! This latest addition to the bargaining genre is a show about Minda and Nikki, two gals who run a pawn shop for ladies. Oooh, a sunb-nose pistol AND old Frederick’s of Hollywood pasties? That’s a bargain! ANTICIPATION: HARDCORE PAWN!

UNDERCOVER: DOUBLE LIFE – 10:00PM (Discovery) This new docu-series profiles an ATF agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a violent motorcycle gang. And check me if I’m wrong, but it’s gotta be kinda hard to keep your cover when there’s a freakin’ camera crew trailing behind you. Oh, these guys? They’re my… uh… security detail. Yes! Yes, that’s it! Nothing to fear at all! Now, let us engage in some underhanded criminal activity! ANTICIPATION: HE DEAD!

THE OFFICE – 9:00PM (NBC) It’s another Jack Coleman sighting! First he was on “House,” now he switches over to Dunder Mifflin. This man has range, I tell you! ANTICIPATION: COLEMAN!

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