everything on NBC seems to be new tonight, but its listed as a repeat and the ads for tonights lineup is confusing

No. My DirecTV guide says it's a repeat (the one where Michael had the surplus to use or lose).

In Austin tonight we get Earl and then a Spurs game. Kind of strange. Not sure why no 30 rock or ER.

Today's the 8th, but no.

they have a misleading promo saying "new" but it's for the whole night and appears only refer to my name is earl. I guess they didn't want to compete with the BCS championship/ cops marathon

No, Office isn't new until February.

I thought the commercial said a new episode next week, 1/15/2009?

^Yea, there's a new episode next week.

30 Rock and ER are both new tonight. I think The Office is the only rerun.

yeah, it wasn't going up against the BCS championship game, that would be folly.

Bah! You're right. Geez, I swear I read that the second half of the season resumed in February. Sorry about the bad info.