"True Detective" Airs on HBO On January 12 (Twitter)

“Girls” returns with its third season on Sunday, January 12 at 10 p.m. This season of “Girls” has a 12-episode order in contrast to the usual 10. The show is coming off four Emmy nominations and a low-rated but controversial second season. Hannah’s involvement with an older man and her OCD both inspired conversation and controversy, and Christopher Abbott (Charlie) decided to leave the show less than a month after the season finale. “Girls” is familiar with the onslaught of criticism, however, so it’s doubtful these events will have a strong impact on the third season. 

“True Detective” will premiere in the 9 p.m. slot preceding “Girls” on Jan. 12. The network bought the series back in April of 2012. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey star as two detectives whose lives intertwine during a 17-year hunt for a Louisiana serial killer. This marks McConaughey’s first foray into scripted television, and it’s Harrelson’s first series regular position since his stint on “Cheers.” Michelle Monaghan, Kevin Dunn and Tory Kittles also star. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will follow a similar mini-series format as cable hit “American Horror Story.” Each season will involve a new cast and story while maintaining the overarching genre premise. 

“Looking” rounds out the list of shows set to premiere in early 2014. The show revolves around three gay men in San Francisco who explore the city from the point of view of the younger generation. Jonathan Groff, most recently of “Glee” and "Boss," stars alongside Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett. The series premieres on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 p.m. following the third episode of the third season of “Girls.” “Looking” comes from creator Michael Lannan, with Andrew Haigh (“Weekend”) and Sarah Condon (“Bored to Death”) as Executive Producers. “Looking” fits in with HBO’s stronger push towards new comedy, with the American remake of “Getting On” and the Duplass Brothers’ “Togetherness” set for the upcoming months. “Looking” is currently filming on location in San Francisco. 

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