In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the monitor and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.
The monitor will now have the Dock and Menu Bar and windows will open on it. But you can move the cursor to the MacBook screen and move windows from the monitor over to the MacBook screen.
You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook