Homicide tackles the NFL on a special episode of “Women’s Murder Club” (9 p.m., ABC). Let’s call it special because it was supposed to air Friday night, but it was rescheduled to replace “Big Shots” for one night during sweeps.

Look for a guest spot by Jason Sehorn, a former player for the New York Giants and real life husband of “Women’s Murder Club” star Angie Harmon.

It remains to be seen whether this stunt casting will grab many viewers away from “Without a Trace,” the dominant series during this hour. Last week’s crossover episode of “CSI” and “Without” was the night’s most watched event by a wide margin.

“Big Shots” is expected to return to ABC’s schedule two weeks from tonight. Next Thursday, ABC will treat Thanksgiving-night viewers to an episode of “October Road,” a weak drama from last spring about a novelist returning to his hometown that was watched by few and forgotten by all.

In another season, “Big Shots” would have been canceled by now. It’s terrible. A wretched combination of phony characters and dialogue that seems unnatural even by bad soap opera standards, it can’t die soon enough for my tastes. The same could be said of “Private Practice,” but at least that attracts a large audience. “Big Shots” does not.

In a season dominated by lackluster ratings and a writer’s strike, it looks like the networks are holding on to what they have and have shown uncharacteristic deliberation about giving weak shows the hook. Hence, even “Cavemen” endures. Thus far, only the reality shows “Nashville” (Fox) and “Online Nation” (CW) and the super stinker karaoke drama “Viva Laughlin” (CBS) have bitten the dust.

¢ Jorga Fox makes her final appearance on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS). The actress, who has played Sara Sidle since 2000, made it clear that she was looking to move on from the demands of a weekly episodic drama. Before “CSI,” she had a short stint on “The West Wing.” And before that, she appeared on more than 30 episodes of “ER” between 1996 and 1999.

¢ Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown and John Roberts offer questions to the candidates the Democratic Primary Party Debate (7 p.m., CNN) live from University of Las Vegas, in Nevada.

¢ Viewers who want a really big head start on their holiday cooking should not miss “Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving Special” (6 p.m., Fine Living). The domestic diva offers timesaving tips and cooking advice and glances back on some of her favorite Thanksgiving moments.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Joy loses patience with her surrogacy arrangement on “My Name is Earl” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Betty tries to set things right with Daniel on “Ugly Betty” (7 p.m., ABC). Mo’Nique guest stars.

¢ Jack develops a crush on a congresswoman (Edie Falco) on “30 Rock” (7:30 p.m., NBC).

¢ Michael becomes embroiled in Jan’s suit against Dunder-Mifflin on “The Office” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Teen survivors of a bus crash fill the emergency room on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Arizona hosts Oregon in college football action (8 p.m., ESPN).

¢ “Biography” (8 p.m.) profiles Jennifer Lopez.

¢ A student goes on a racist rant and then vanishes on “Without a Trace” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Abby’s behavior does not go unnoticed on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).

Cult choice

Soldiers take on flying monsters fresh from the laboratory in the 2007 shocker “Bats: Human Harvest” (8 p.m., Sci Fi).