Prime choices

SUNDAY

The template for many an espionage thriller, famously set to celluloid by suspense master Alfred Hitchcock in 1935, John Buchan’s novel “The 39 Steps� comes to “Masterpiece Classic� in a new by-the-book adaptation. Rupert Penry-Jones stars. (KCET, 9 p.m.)

MONDAY

Sure she can sing, but can she act? We’ll find out as country-music cutie and Season 4 “American Idol� champ Carrie Underwood guest stars as Ted’s (Josh Radnor) latest love interest, above, on a new episode of “How I Met Your Mother.�(CBS,

8 p.m.)

TUESDAY

The multi-character police drama “Southland� left little more than a chalk outline on NBC’s prime-time pavement last season, but now Ben McKenzie and the boys in LAPD blue are back with all-new episodes and a new beat on cable. (TNT, 10 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY

There will be a whole lot less nipping and substantially less tucking as the not-for-the-squeamish, plastic surgery drama “Nip/Tuck� ends its seven-season run at 100 episodes. Below, Julian McMahon (left) and Dylan Walsh star. (FX, 10 p.m.)

THURSDAY

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the due date that Dunderheads have been awaiting. Jim and Pam’s (John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer) little bundle of joy arrives on a double-episode (above) of “The Office.� (NBC,

9 p.m.)

FRIDAY

A fourth-place finish on the fifth season of a certain talent competition certainly didn’t stop Chris Daughtry from conquering the music charts. The gruff-voiced, smooth-pated rocker is profiled on a special edition of “American Idol Rewind.�(TV Guide, 9 p.m.)

SATURDAY

The heavy-handed security guard played by Seth Rogen in “Observe and Report� makes Kevin James’ “Paul Blart: Mall Cop� look like a Girl Scout. Ray Liotta and Anna Farris costar with Rogen in director Jody Hill’s edgy 2009 comedy. (Cinemax, 10 p.m.)