Comedy fans have a whole lotta options tonight because no less than three shows — two sitcoms and a dramedy — return with new episodes for a new year. Here’s a brief rundown, in broadcast order:

Scrubs
My Jerks/My Last Words

On the eighth-season and ABC premiere, NBC’s former long-running staple gets a new boss in the form of Friends and Dirt alumna Courteney Cox, who ends up not being as pretty as that famous face is. In addition to dealing with Sacred Heart’s latest chief of medicine, J.D. must also cope with the hospital’s screwiest group of interns ever, while Carla does her best to keep Elliott’s enormous sense of self-worth from ballooning too much.

Immediately afterwards on “My Last Words,” the Sacred Heart bunch begins to suspect Dr. Maddox’s (Cox) real nature, even as J.D. and Turk put their heads together to help out a dying patient. The big guest star, at least to me, is former A Different World cast member Glynn Turman. [9pm and 9:30pm, ABC]

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It’s been a while since viewers were forced to say goodbye to The CW sitcom Aliens in America, but fans of series star Adhir Kalyan (pictured at right in the photo with Aliens co-star Dan Byrd), also known as Muslim exchange student Raja Musharaff on the series, have a reason to get happy early in the New Year.

Next week, the actor debuts on the FX dramedy Nip/Tuck, which resumes its fifth season — after almost a year away! — with the midseason premiere “Ronnie Chase.” The big event takes place at 10pm EST on Tuesday, January 6.

Kalyan plays Dr. Raj this time, and you can preview his appearance in the short behind-the-scenes video after the jump. He’s looking good as a doctor, although who knows how long he’ll survive around “challenging” — to say the least — plastic surgeons Sean and Christian.

Incidentally, the South African actor also plays the character Sanjay in the upcoming Kevin James (Hitch, The King of Queens) comedy flick Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which I’m really looking forward to seeing for some reason. (It must be all those billboards I passed by while holiday shopping…)

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Tomorrow is a good day for fans of comedy series on basic cable: DVD sets for ABC Family’s Greek, FX’s Nip/Tuck, and TBS’ 10 Items or Less all hit retail outlets on December 30.

Well, 10 Items or Less was actually released last Saturday, December 27, but people can still get in on the special reduced prices most stores are offering to lure buyers.

Details about the boxed sets follow.

10 Items or Less — Seasons One and Two

Discs: 2
Episodes: 13
Languages: English, Closed Captioned
List Price: $29.95
Extras: A Look Behind-the-Scenes, Coffee Break Blooper Reel, Internet Viral Videos: Choking and Apology, Notes from the Casting Couch

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That’s right, Aliens in America fans. Adhir Kalyan, who plays Muslim high-school exchange student Raja on The CW’s entertaining but underrated rookie sitcom Aliens in America, is heading to the McNamara and Troy offices on Nip/Tuck to play a 16-year-old wonder-surgeon.

How old is Kalyan in real life, you wonder? Twenty-five this year! So, what’s up with all of these Doogie roles?!

In any case, Kalyan’s Nip/Tuck character, unimaginatively named Raj, will step in to help out one of the series’ central plastic surgeon after bad luck befalls the other. My only hope is that Aliens in America gets renewed against all odds, ensuring that Kalyan will stay where he belongs for now — with the Tolchuks.

Kalyan’s guest-star run is scheduled to begin when Nip/Tuck returns to FX for the last half of its current fifth season. No premiere date has been announced yet.