It’s time to spark up a J, laugh out loud and then question your existence with an Australian guy in a gnarly dog suit. Wilfred’s back (10 p.m. Thursdays, FX).  

When fun in the sun loses its draw, it’s nice to retreat in the AC with some quality TV. Here are some returning favorites and new picks to watch out for this season. HBO Documentary Film Serie  

Louis C.K.’s dark comedy offers serious commentary on show business, parenting and life’s unexplainable quirks, making Louie more than just a sitcom about the fictionalized life of a foul-mouthed comedian.  

The 1920s is an era romanticized and glorified, often by individuals who weren’t even alive at the time. Boardwalk Empire takes what we love about the ’20s, backed with historically based events and characters, and serves it up with whole a lot of darkness.  

Let’s face it: The majority of shows on TV can be considered “guilty pleasures” at best. Just based on the sheer ratio of churned-out, crappy television to quality programming, the Kardashians and gypsies far outnumber the Drapers and Game of Thrones. But there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence, right?  

As summer winds down, students head back to school, football fans flex their tailgating muscles, fashionistas break out new wardrobes and TV people prepare for the return of fall favorites. Here’s a peek at what’s to come this season.  

When IFC took on Bullet in the Face (10 p.m. Thursday and Friday), the network embraced the campy side of action favorites to present an explosive, comedic television event.  

“You’re either in, or you’re out.” In addition to cranking out catchphrases, Heidi Klum has kept her infectious runway reality show going for nearly a decade. Project Runway pits designers against each other as they create ensembles to be shown on the catwalk and judged by big names in fashion.   

When one of the guys behind Mr. Show and Between Two Ferns creates a podcast-turned-television series, you can’t expect a modern day Johnny Carson. Scott Auckerman's Comedy Bang! Bang! playfully spoofs the conventional talk show format, featuring interviews, shorts and skits  

While there’s plenty of hilarious human-dog hijinks (verbalizing dog thoughts/characteristics never gets old), it’s the deep, psychological undertones that give Wilfred a dark edge not found in many other current shows (and makes it a great lead-in to Louie). While American remakes of shows tend to dumb down or lighten up, our Wilfred (with the same actor, Jason Gann, playing the title character) takes even more disturbing turns than its Australian counterpart.