Wayne Brady guest stars as Julius’ younger brother, Louis, on a Thanksgiving episode of “Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m., CW). Louis’ status as a college-educated chiropractor puts Julius in a competitive spirit. Chris’ parsimonious patriarch even springs for brand-name groceries.

Clever and warmhearted as ever, this “Chris” unfolds in “24” style, complete with split screens and a ticking clock counting down the minutes to the big meal.

This episode reminds us of what a good job this series does of presenting life from the point of view of a child on the cusp of manhood. Chris is oblivious — or at least tolerant — of the less-than-perfect behavior of the deeply flawed adults in his life. Because that’s what family is all about.

¢ “Thanksgiving Unstuffed” (9 p.m., National Geographic) explores many of the traditions and urban legends that have attached themselves to the holiday. It also asks some serious scientists to explain the physics of the balloons used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., and Rob Keck of the National Wild Turkey Federation weigh in on traditions of turkey cooking and turkey calling.

According to the giblet geniuses assembled here, there is no proof to the widely accepted notion that the enzymes in turkey meat make us sleepy. There simply isn’t enough tryptophan in a Butterball to sedate us. We get tired from devouring so many calories at one sitting.

“Unstuffed” even examines the roots of the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving shopping spree and explores the origins of the term “Black Friday.”

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Painful family memories bubble up on “Prison Break” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ The Peanuts gang reflects on the Pilgrims on the 1973 animated special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (7 p.m., ABC), followed by the premiere of “He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown” (7:30 p.m., ABC).

¢ The Jacksonville Jaguars host the New York Giants in NFL action (7:30 p.m., ESPN).

¢ Claire’s high-school homecoming devolves into fright night on “Heroes” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Sigourney Weaver plays a stern taskmaster at a juvenile-detention facility in the 2003 comedy “Holes” (7 p.m., Disney).

¢ Former rejects return to dish and discuss on “The Bachelor: Rome” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ A bachelorette charity auction turns deadly on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Matt faces a writers’ rebellion on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (9 p.m., NBC). This series has been renewed for a full season.

¢ Brian starts a new job at his father’s firm on “What About Brian” (9 p.m., ABC).