“Community” — which has poked fun at zombie films, action movies and even Christmas specials during its three years — will turn its mocking eye at “Glee.” In the comedy about a community college study group (8 p.m. EST Thursdays, NBC), the gang is asked to take over the glee club. At first reluctant, the group soon discovers it can get into the groove of it all.
Of course, this being “Community,” the results won’t be quite so smooth or warm and fuzzy. That’s not how “Community” rolls. The show takes painstaking efforts to center on details, which includes singing rehearsals and mapping out choreography when needed.
“Some episodes are 70- to 80-hour weeks,” star Joel McHale once told me in an interview. “Our paintball-war episode took eight days to do.”
Most half-hour sitcoms are done in a week and the workload is relatively light compared with other TV jobs.
For McHale, “Community” has allowed him a showcase. One week, he may be an action star. This week, he’s a singer and dancer.
“If your career has peaks and valleys — and the valleys are when you work your ass off — then the peaks are when you can stop and enjoy the view,” he noted in the interview.
Other highlights for the week of Dec. 4 to 10.
Sunday
— “The Pillars of the Earth” (8 p.m., ReelzChannel). In 12th century England, the late king’s daughter and son squabble over the throne.
— “Neverland” (9 p.m., Syfy). This two-part miniseries (concluding 9 p.m. Monday) traces Peter Pan’s first journey to Neverland and the dangers he encountered then.
— “Carlos Mencia: New Territory” (10 p.m., Comedy Central). The comic returns to the cable channel that was his home for years to present his latest standup special, taped in Pechanga Casino in Temecula, Calif.
Monday
— “American Country Awards” (8 p.m., Fox). Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth are hosts of this week’s country music awards show. (Doesn’t it feel like there’s a new one every week?)
— “The Long Island Serial Killer” (9 p.m., A&E). This two-hour crime special probes the case of a serial killer, reportedly still at large, on Long Island.
— “T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle” (9 p.m., VH1). Troubled rapper T.I. looks to reform his broken image after a prison stint with this new reality show about his home life with wife Tiny and their children.
— “Hidden City” (10 p.m., Travel Channel). Thriller novelist Marcus Sakey goes from town to town in the United States to dig up skeletons.
Tuesday
— “Teen Mom 2” (10 p.m., MTV). Teen mothers and the men who sometimes love them are back for another season of angst, fights and midnight bottle feeding.
— “Sons of Anarchy” (10 p.m., FX). The fourth-season finale sees Jax trying to juggle a gun deal and an Irish gang before time runs out.
Wednesday
— “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC). On a warm December day, the family decides to throw together a Christmas celebration.
Saturday
— “Video Game Awards” (8 p.m., Spike TV). Here’s hoping Donkey Kong will get the write-in vote.
— “Snowmageddon” (9 p.m., Syfy). A magical snow globe, when shaken, makes bad things happen in the real world.
