And the final NBC sitcom finale up tonight, May 14, is 30 Rock’s Season Three-ending “Kidney Now!” at 9:30pm ET.

Jack begins establishing a relationship with his biological father Milton (Alan Alda), whose health isn’t so great. Following an appearance on a talk show, Liz somehow manages to overcome her unimpressive dating background and becomes recognized as a relationship expert. Also, Kenneth helps Tracy get over painful high school memories when the comedian is invited to speak at graduation.

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Tonight’s (May 7) NBC comedy lineup includes special guest star Alan Alda (The West Wing, ER, M*A*S*H) on 30 Rock.

Keep reading to learn what else is happening on all four sitcoms. And, remember, next Thursday, May 14, is season-finale time for each of the shows.

MY NAME IS EARL

Inside Probe, Part 2: The intriguing story of Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher’s disappearance told in Part One concludes dramatically. Earl and Randy think it was an alien abduction, Darnell suspects a hundred-year-old feud, and Joy and Catalina believe it had something to do with Ernie’s freaky sex tapes. When the truth is revealed, however, everyone is shocked to realize the answer has been under their noses all along. Geraldo Rivera and NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip return as guest stars. [8pm]

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There are just three more fresh episodes left in the current seasons of NBC’s four Thursday primetime sitcoms. Here’s what’s coming up tonight.

MY NAME IS EARL

Inside Probe, Part 1: When Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher disappears, Geraldo Rivera’s TV show Inside Probe arrives in Camden to investigate. Eight years later, the story has become a murder case, with Earl and Randy the prime suspects as Rivera’s report finally airs on television. Yet, after NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip provides clues from the fateful night, other Camden residents also become suspects. The episode concludes next week. [8pm]

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I guarantee that fans of old-school nighttime soaps are gonna love MY NAME IS EARL’s brand-new episode “Friends with Benefits” tonight at 8pm EST. It features Falcon Crest’s Morgan Fairchild and Knots Landing’s Joan Van Ark as guest stars. How sweet is that?

Now all we need is somebody from Dallas and the nostalgic circle of joy would be complete. Also dropping by during the episode is Less Than Perfect alumna Andrea Parker.

When Mr. Turtle finds his way home after being lost, Earl decides to return him to Darnell, who’s in Witness Protection and currently living in an upscale community with his family. Joy struggles to adjust to their new wealthy lifestyle and fit in with her trophy-wife neighbors, while back in Camden, Randy accidentally starts dating a guy named Jim (!).

Following at 8:30pm are divas Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) on KATH & KIM’s “Celebrity“: When Kath decides to audition for a community production of Cats after watching the performance of local celebrity Lenore (Coolidge), she prepares for the trials and tribulations of fame by asking Athena (Rudolph) for spiritual guidance. Meanwhile, Phil gives Kim a job at his sandwich shop, which leads to some surprising results.

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I just know all the Mad Men fans out there can’t wait for the next fresh episode of 30 Rock called “Generalissimo.” That’s because it features the one and only John Hamm, who happens to play Don Draper on AMC’s Emmy-winning, critically acclaimed period drama.

On NBC’s own Emmy-winning sitcom, Hamm guest stars as Dr. Drew Baird, Liz Lemon’s cute single neighbor and latest love thang, as the photo above clearly shows. Somehow, I don’t think the relationship is going to work out too well because, well, these things never do for poor, lovelorn Liz. That’s one of the reasons why fans care about her travails so much.

Incidentally, Hamm’s longtime significant other Jennifer Westfeldt, former star of the ABC sitcom Notes from the Underbelly, is guesting on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy tonight at 9pm EST [view a sneak peek]. In addition, The Riches’ Noel Fisher (Cael Malloy) has a role on Fox’s Bones at 8pm EST [view a sneak peek]. Just thought I’d throw that out there for folks who care…

As for comedy shows, other notable guest stars coming up tonight include Dexter’s Lauren Vélez on Ugly Betty, country music’s Wynonna Judd on Kath & Kim, former series regular Rashida Jones on The Office, and Ugly Betty’s Salma Hayek returning on 30 Rock. Read on for plotlines — there’s got to be something for everybody.

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30 Rock! 30 Rock! 30 Rock!

Honestly — if you haven’t yet heard, Tina Fey’s masterful NBC sitcom 30 Rock is on an awards-show roll, and January 25th’s 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was no different than all of the other ceremonies in recent memory.

The NBC sitcom positively swept the comedy television awards in all three categories: Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Series. I don’t even have to specify the names of the first two winners because savvy viewers already know.

The biggest loser among the nominees? Ugly Betty, which dropped out of two categories all together. Last year, Vanessa Williams was up for Best Comedy Actress, alongside her co-star America Ferrera, and the series was also nominated for Best Comedy Series then.

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Burn Notice fans are in for a huge delight tonight when the USA Network crime dramedy returns to resume its second season at 10pm EST with the premiere “Do No Harm.”

Longtime viewers will remember that the midseason hiatus began with a bomb waiting for Michael in his apartment. Well, I’m happy to say the former spy survives the disastrous explosion, but it does leave a noticeable mark on his attitude.

As a result, when he decides to help a father with a dying son who has been scammed by a shady drug company, Michael’s approach gives the series a fresh new feel. Yes, it’s darker and moodier, but at the same time, it also has the welcome potential to create more explosions as the season progresses.

I’ve seen the episode, so trust me: If you’re a Burn Notice fan, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s what some folks who like fancy words tend to call “seminal.”

Also coming up tonight on comedy television are new episodes of all four Thursday-night NBC sitcoms and ABC’s Ugly Betty. Synopses follow the jump.

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In what qualifies as complete no-brainer news, NBC has given sitcoms 30 Rock and The Office early pickups for a fourth and sixth season, respectively.

The network announced the decision on January 15 during its presentation at the Televsion Critics Association press tour. Also the recipient of another season is weight-loss reality hit The Biggest Loser.

In addition, while no decision has been made about new comedy Kath & Kim, it was announced that Amy Poehler’s still untitled sitcom will take over the Australian import’s time slot, beginning on Thursday, April 9, at 8:30pm EST.

I’m really looking forward to that one, which stars Office alumna Rashida Jones and current Scrubs intern Aziz Ansari, as well. Hopefully, someone will finally come up with a title by the time it premieres.

Last night, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association sponsored the television broadcast of the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards, and the comedy television winners follow.

Unsurprisingly, 30 Rock made good on its name and rocked the competition with a total of three wins in the usual categories of Best Comedy, Best Lead Actress (Tina Fey), and Best Lead Actor (Alec Baldwin). I think from now on I’ll reserve my surprise for when those three don’t come up victors when they’re nominated.

NOTE: Comedy TV winners are at the top in bold.

Best Television Series: Comedy or Musical

• 30 Rock (NBC)
• Californication (Showtime)
• Entourage (HBO)
• The Office (NBC)
• Weeds (Showtime)

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NBC’s Thursday-night Comedy Done Right lineup returns almost intact tonight, save for The Office, which is a repeat of the current season’s “The Surplus.”

Add a new episode of Ugly Betty for America Ferrera et al fans, and that means there’s a pretty good night of primetime comedy on the way today, January 8.

My Name Is Earl
Got the Babysitter Pregnant

Now there’s a suggestive title, although it’s not what fans might think. Earl didn’t get the babysitter pregnant himself, but he sure plotted to mess her life up when she broke his heart. Older and wiser and with a Karma List on hand, he then decides it’s time to put things right by turning the woman’s immature grown son into a self-supporting man. In the process, Earl realizes his target and his brother Randy have a few things in common. Elsewhere, Joy loses Darnell’s pet turtle (Uh-oh). [8pm, NBC]

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