Tonight's TV Hot List: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010

Conan
11/10c TBS
After hosting Late Night with Conan O'Brien from 1993 to 2009 and The Tonight Show from 2009 to 2010, funnyman Conan O'Brien bursts back to television with this newly minted late-night talk show. Although the series features the usual fare — interview segments, musical guests and comedy bits — the string-dancing, flame-haired talk-show vet is expected to punch up the proceedings with his wildly irreverent comedy flair. Longtime Conan collaborators also return: Andy Richter serves as the series sidekick, and Jimmy Vivino, former associate music director of Conan's previous talk shows, conducts the house band. Tonight's opener features interview guests Seth Rogen and Lea Michele, plus music performer Jack White. — Dean Maurer

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Matt Lauer Reports8/7c NBC Matt Lauer interviews former president George W. Bush in conversations recorded in Midland, Texas, his childhood home and church, Centennial Park and Dallas. While the 43rd president delves into his book, Decision Points (which will be released tomorrow), he also addresses some potential shock-and-awe topics. Included: his experience on 9/11; his decision to attack Iraq; reflections on Hurricane Katrina; his DUI in 1976; and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's resignation in 2006. — Dean Maurer

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902108/7c CW Adrianna's stock in the popularity market skyrockets when Victor sets her up on a date with Joe Jonas (appearing as himself). Of course, she loses points with Navid when he gets bumped off her dance card. It's all good though, because the secret he uncovers about his father is going to occupy his attention for a while. Speaking of parents, Annie and Dixon drop in to visit their father and are greeted by a woman who they've never met before. Could it be that Harry is moving on? — Rhoda CharlesCake Boss9/8c TLC Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi of Jersey Shore fame takes a break from boozin' at the beach to pay the bakery a visit. Mother's Day is approaching, so she and Buddy collaborate on a special confection she'll give to her mom. Buddy is also commissioned to create a nautical-theme cake, so he takes a field trip to New York's South Street Seaport Museum, hoping to find inspiration. — Karen A. Kelty
House8/7c Fox You've probably noticed Thirteen's absence. (Olivia Wilde's taking a leave to film a movie.) Cuddy has, and she foists a replacement on House: Martha Masters (Amber Tamblyn). Her IQ is through the roof and she has two doctorates, but neither is in medicine. Martha is a third-year med student but House is still skeptical, to say the least. Their moral compasses don't jibe, either ("She's like the love child of Einstein and Mary Poppins"). So fireworks ensue when she signs on tonight. Their patient: a senator's suitably cynical campaign manager. Not surprisingly, medical ethics come into play, and Cuddy gets involved. — Paul Droesch

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A Fighting Chance7/6c ESPN2 The inspirational story of Kyle Maynard, born a quadruple amputee, leads off a night of military-themed ESPN programming. After becoming a nationally ranked wrestler and strength record-holder, Maynard's focus is an official mixed martial arts bout against an able-bodied fighter. Away from competition, he speaks to severely wounded military veterans about overcoming adversity. The documentary is followed by two hours of boxing from Camp Lejeune, N.C., where super-bantamweights Rico Ramos (17-0, 9 KOs) and Heriberto Ruiz (44-9-2, 26 KOs) headline the Salute to America's Heroes card. — Roger LeisterThe Big C10:30/9:30c ShowtimeThe penultimate show of Season 1 is poignantly pivotal and jarring, and the shocks and tears are buttressed with a bittersweet humor. Cathy's decided on a radical treatment, bee-sting therapy, in an effort to cure her cancer. So she and Dr. Todd head to Canada and a rendezvous with the flighty, eccentric Bee Man (Liam Neeson). Back at home, or at least next-door, Marlene's Alzheimer's episodes become more frequent and lead to a frightening encounter with Adam.