Thursday night is always a busy night for the DVR, and decisions will be even tougher this fall with Glee joining the party. Two of the best new shows — Last Resort (ABC) and Elementary (CBS)  – are in the lineup as well. After a million years on Monday, Two and A Half Men is paired with CBS’s top comedy, The Big Bang Theory. 30 Rock signs off.

NEW SHOWS

Last Resort (Sept. 26)

ABC’s military drama, from Shawn Ryan (The Shield), has the most compelling premise of the new fall shows. The crew of a nuclear submarine defies an order to fire missiles toward Pakistan, goes on the run and sets up camp on at a fictional island where it declares itself a tiny sovereign nation. Andre Braugher and Felicity’s Scott Speedman — who will hopefully attract much-needed female viewers — head a strong cast.

Beauty and the Beast (Oct. 11)

The CW dumped The Secret Circle, giving this update of the popular eighties series the prime spot after The Vampire Diaries. Kristen Kruek (Smallville) and hunky New Zealander Jay Ryan (Terra Nova) replace Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman in the lead roles. The CW loves pretty people. When TV critics questioned Ryan’s good looks, B&B showrunners insisted that their Vincent is a beast on the inside instead of the outside.

Elementary (Sept. 26)

Almost everyone believes that CBS has a big hit in the making in its contemporary take on Sherlock Holmes, with Jonny Lee Miller as the detective and Lucy Liu as a female Watson. Unlike the superlative BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elementary, created by Rob Doherty (Medium), is set in New York City where the the sleuth will chase the usual CBS procedural suspects. The producers say don’t expect any hanky-panky between Miller and Liu.

RETURNING SHOWS

30 Rock (Oct. 4) – The NBC comedy, which regained some of its spark last season, says goodbye with a 13-episode seventh season. How will things end for Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), Jack (Alec Baldwin) et al? Expect the writers to finish the series in style.

The Big Bang Theory (Sept. 27) – Howard will remain in space for several weeks — but still won’t be able to escape his meddling mother — while, back on earth, Amy forces Sheldon to accept that their romance is real.

Glee (Sept. 13) – Fox’s hit comedy moves to Thursday night for season 4. The show will jump back forth from the choir room at McKinley High in Ohio to New York where Rachel attempts to break out at NYADA. Kate Hudson guests as the dance teacher Rachel can’t stand.

Grey’s Anatomy (Sept. 27) – ABC’s medical drama opens season 9 a few months after last season’s cliffhanger. In season 2, we get to see what unfolded in the forest. Derek will have to deal with his own physical limitations after his hand injury in the plane crash that killed Lexie. Eric Dane will be back for two episodes to wrap up his story.

Parks & Recreation (Sept. 20) – Leslie (Amy Poehler) continues her long-distance relationship with Ben — who’s working on a congressional campaign with April as one of his interns — while getting used to life on the City Council.

Person of Interest (Sept. 27) – The compelling second-year CBS drama picks up where last season left off, with Finch having been kidnapped by madwoman Root (Amy Acker). Ken Leung and Margo Martindale have guest spots this season.

Scandal (Sept. 27) – Creator Shonda Rimes promises to quickly answer the key question, “Who is Quinn Perkins?,” when the addictive ABC drama returns for its second season. Henry Ian Cusick (who played Stephen Finch) won’t return.

The Office (Sept. 20) – Original showrunner Greg Daniels returns for the ninth and final season, promising to answer all questions — including who has been shooting the documentary in the Pennsylvania paper company all these years.

Two and a Half Men (Sept. 27) – Ashton Kutcher returns as Charlie Sheen’s replacement for a second season. The big change this season is a new day and time slot — Thursdays at 8:30 following The Big Bang Theory, CBS’s top comedy.

Up All Night (Sept. 20) – Maya Rudolph’s “The Ava Show” gets canceled, forcing Reagan (Christina Applegate) to become a stay-at-home mother and Chris (Will Arnett) to return to the workforce. The second-year NBC comedy is back on Thursdays.

The Vampire Diaries (Oct. 11) – The CW’s most popular show ended with Elena choosing Stefan over Damon and then sacrificing her life to save Matt — becoming a vampire in the process. The new season begins with Elena transitioning to her new status.

CABLE

Burn Notice (Nov. 8) – The season 6 summer finale ended with Michael and his group stuck in Panama. The USA Network spy series returns in the fall with seven episodes.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (Oct. 11) – On season 8 of the hit FX comedy, the Gang goes to therapy, hunts for Nazi treasure and tries to undermine Philly’s toughest union – the trashmen.

The League (Oct. 11) – FX’s ensemble comedy, back for a fourth season, follows a group of old friends in a fantasy football league who care deeply about one another – so deeply that they use every opportunity to make each other’s lives miserable.