Tonight's TV Hot List: Thursday, July 9, 2009

Big Brother 11
8 pm/ET CBS
The theme for the 11th edition of the summer reality series is high school. No, the 12 houseguests aren't teens, but the dozen participants are divided into one of four cliques (popular, athletes, brainiacs, off-beats) that anyone familiar with high school will instantly recognize. The four groups will compete against one another for food, prizes and safety from eviction. In addition, a 13th mystery player will soon join the fun. Let the games begin! — Tim Holland
So You Think You Can Dance
9 pm/ET Fox
With last week's elimination of Karla and Vitolio, it's down to 12 contestants continuing their dance toward destiny. Speaking of which, Kelly Rowland, who was one-third of the Grammy-winning trio Destiny's Child, performs tonight with French DJ David Guetta, singing "When Love Takes Over." — Joe Friedrich
Royal Pains
10 pm/ET USA
Tonight Hank and Evan take a break from the luxury of the Hamptons...to spend a weekend on a private island. The two take a job looking after an extremely wealthy family, but the trip is no vacation. One of the women in the family is dead set on giving birth on the technology-free island, despite Hank's advice about the inherent danger that comes with such isolation. Evan, meanwhile, plays nanny to a teenager and quickly butts heads with his charge. — Brie Hearn
Soundstage
10 pm/ET PBS
Indie-pop band Death Cab for Cutie showcases selections from its 2009 EP The Open Door and 2008 CD Narrow Stairs, as well as fan faves from earlier efforts, including "Cath...," "I Will Possess Your Heart" and "The Sound of Settling." Led by guitarist Ben Gibbard, the group formed in 1997 and, as documented in Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot's insightful book Ripped, found unlikely success due to the Internet and frequent mentions on the TV series The O.C. — Jeff Gemmill
LA Ink
10 pm/ET TLC
Another season kicks off as the heavily illustrated Kat Von D returns to L.A. after a months-long book tour to find High Voltage Tattoo busier than ever. Business is certainly booming, which is obviously a good thing, but the shop is understaffed now that veteran artists Kim and Hannah have moved on, so it looks like some new faces will be joining Kat's crew in Season 3. — Karen Andzejewicz