Tonight's TV Hot List: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009

30 Rock
9:31 pm/ET NBC
Hello, nurse. Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek (for 2002's Frida) begins a guest-star arc tonight as Jack's newest romantic conquest — his oppressive mother's nurse, Elisa. Jack also finds time to give marriage pointers to Tracy and his wife (Sherri Shepherd), then he gives a little piece of his heart to Jenna, helping her score a role as rock icon Janis Joplin. Here's the biz on Ms. Liz: Her quest to have a baby takes an odd turn when she becomes attracted to a new guy (Peter Dinklage). — Dean Maurer
For full episodes of 30 Rock, visit ourOnline Video Guide.
Ugly Betty
8 pm/ET ABC
Earlier this season, Betty was offered (and, quite rightly, passed on) an opportunity to be mentored by Wilhelmina. But now that she's earned a slot in the prestigious YETI, Betty does her best to impress its influential editor (Bernadette Peters), whose rags-to-riches story could be an inspiration for her own. Meanwhile, Betty meets her counterpart (Nikki Blonsky) at Elle, just as the magazine's rivalry with Mode opens a new chapter. — Joe Friedrich
For full episodes of Ugly Betty, visit ourOnline Video Guide.
14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards
9 pm/ET VH1
For the second year in a row, VH1 presents one of the first major awards show of the year. Tonight's 14th annual gala, sponsored by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, features a house band (Rooney) and plenty of star power. Presenters include Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Beckinsale, Kristen Bell, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Josh Brolin, Rosemarie DeWitt, Aaron Eckhart, Dakota Fanning, Dustin Hoffman, Eva Longoria Parker, Virginia Madsen, Marisa Tomei and Forest Whitaker. Milk and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button lead all films with eight nominations each. — Fred Mitchell
Watch clips of Milk in our Online Video Guide.
Private Practice
10:01 pm/ET ABC
A new year (and a new time slot). New romances, too? Time will tell, but two old ones (Addison-Kevin; Pete-Meg) went pffft in the Dec. 17 episode, and these docs wouldn't be Shonda Rhimes docs without romantic entanglements, so expect something, beginning (maybe) with Violet and Pete. Certainly expect togetherness, if only because Cooper's measles patient forces a quarantine. Meanwhile, that arrogant Wyatt from Charlotte's practice has already ensnared Naomi, and Addison could be next. — Paul Droesch
For full episodes of Private Practice, visit ourOnline Video Guide.
BCS Championship Game
8:15 pm/ET Fox
Talk about going out with a bang. You might want to put some drinks and snacks near your chair so you don't have to get up during this one — the Oklahoma Sooners have one of the game's best-ever offenses, and the Florida Gators are not all that far behind. It's also a battle between the last two Heisman Trophy winners, and teams from the two top conferences in the nation. — Dave Roeder
For more football, visit our Online Video Guide.