'Twas the week before Christmas, and on the small screen, TV options appeared few and far between; The DVR’s ready to record some new shows, And provide a distraction from winter woes.  

Fresh off the premiere of Lifetime’s unintentionally hilarious monstrosity, Liz and Dick, comes a new chapter of a love story that defines a generation. This week, Liz Lemon and Criss Chross will be joined in holy hotdog matrimony on 30 Rock (8 p.m. Thursday, NBC).   

R. Kelly weaved a literary web of love, secrets and betrayal when he released the 22-chaptered Trapped in the Closet videos from 2005-2007. Five years after the last chapter descended upon us, R. Kelly has whipped up an additional 18 chapters of the saga (and, reportedly, another 30 coming in 2013) to be served up alongside your Thanksgiving leftovers (9 p.m. Friday, IFC).  

In Catfish The TV Show, Nev Schulman helps young folks track down and meet their long distance loves in person. The series has potential to tread some new waters and take subject matter just a little bit seriously. Of course, in true MTV style, it could also seem incredibly scripted or exploitative.   

Tag-teaming Thursday nights, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League make FX the weekly spot for quotable comedy and gross-out laughs.  

Last year’s FX breakout American Horror Story surprised audiences while weaving sexy and scary storylines into one addicting series. So how do Ryan Murphy and his crew top such a sensational season? By creating a new frightening format altogether.  

Blending violence and gore with drama and heart, The Walking Dead (9 p.m. Sundays, AMC) is the perfect seasonal scare-fest for grown-ups. Returning for its third season, TWD picks up a few months after the finale left off, with Rick and the crew attempting to take over a nearby prison.  

After six action-packed seasons, even a show about a sociopath in sheep’s clothes can get stale. Thankfully, this season, things are taking an interesting turn as Dexter must “break code” and share his secret with a significant character — and the implications are hefty.  

If Sunday’s Emmy Awards were any indication, Homeland (10 p.m. Sunday, Showtime) should be at the top of any savvy channel surfer’s watchlist. The political thriller nabbed awards in the drama category for outstanding series, writing, lead actor (Damian Lewis) and lead actress (Claire Danes) — just in time for this week’s second season premiere.  

Louis C.K.’s dark comedy offers serious commentary on show business, parenting and life’s unexplainable quirks, making Louie more than just a sitcom about the fictionalized life of a foul-mouthed comedian.