For those who loved Denis Leary’s “Rescue Me,” find your way to the sharp new comedy “Sirens” (USA, 10 p.m.). Though Leary himself isn’t in it, his fingerprints area all over this workplace comedy about Chicago EMTs.
Using the same kind of conversational approach in which whole chunks of a show are given to people arguing or actually discussing things (instead of shooting set-up lines to eachother), it’s far funnier than most comedies on the air and, like “Rescue Me,” has a strong ensemble led by Michael Msley, the straight guy, a longtime EMT partner played by Kevin Daniels and a wide-eyed innocent in new recruit played by Kevin Bigley. Jessica McNamee plays a Chicago cop and the lead’s love interest in a comedy that is currently short of women.
But a whole lot of guest stars are promised in the 10-episode first season including Jean Smart, Loretta Devine and Nora Dunn, as well as familiar faces from “Rescue Me” crew, Lenny Clarke and John Scurti. I love the fact that it’s a half hour, things move fast, there aren’t a lot of dramatic turns and sometimes the ambulence emergencies are the smallest thing that happens on a show.
A much sadder addition to the comedy world is the return of George Lopez to the sitcom form, perhaps as a consolation for a failed talk show. In “Saint George” (FX, 9 p.m.) he plays a recently divorced businesman whose blonde ex is still very much in his life, though he’s coaxed to the clubs by a couple of familiar faces, Danny Trejo and Danny Zayas (of “Dexter”). It isn’t so much a celebration of Latino culture as a sad admission at what little opportunities are afforded them. And Olga Meridiz is so much like the mother on “The George Lopez Show” she might as well be the same one.
Another familiar in comedy, Steve Daly, fronts his own show “Review” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.), in which he plays life critic Forrest MacNeil, reviewing all aspects of life, from stealing to addiction, in a comedy way.
The latest advance in the changing CNN is the addition of new documentary series. Tonight’s “Chicagoland” (CNN, 10 p.m.) is from the makers of “Brick City.” And just as that series cocused on a charismatic mayor, Cory Booker of Newark, this one has a big role by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. But it also spreads jumps to other aspects of the busy city from education to social policy. And the two series have a common element: Police Chief Garry McCarthy, formerly of Newark and “Brick City.”
Opposite the debut of the series, MSNBC has its own documentary special, “Why We Did It” (MSNBC, 9 p.m.) in which Rachel Maddow finds new information about the Iraqi invasion, including new interviews with military leaders who never thought occupation was a good idea. Maddow usually sets up her arguments in a logical, passionate way as well.
Has anyone seen “The Independents” (Fox Business, 10 p.m.)? It’s a likely low-rated talk show that is anything but its title, of course — it tows the right wing line demanded by Fox News as one would expect. But it stars, perhaps as a way to confuse audiences that it’s Maddow — a young woman with her own big dark glasses, Kennedy, a person with no more authority talking world issues than she did discussing new wave bands as one of the wackier MTV VJs. Like other Fox chat hosts, she mostly eggs on like-minded panelists but in a way that is more goofy and mumbly than the others. It’s kind of fascinating bad TV, with bad policy (making fun of gun laws is an ongoing theme) and not destined to be on long, even on this barely noticed network.
In the new “Celebrity Home Raiders” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) stars choose items from their houses to auction for charity. First up is Gene Simmons who will likely put up an I.O.U. for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award.
“Suits” (USA, 9 p.m.) returns for its third season with increased tension between Harvey, Jessica and Scottie (maybe because their suits are still at the cleaners?).
Plans for the big two-city concert of healing at Pawnee and Eagleton continue on “Parks and Recreation” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.). Can we count on a Mouserat reunion?
The cooking competition “Beat Bobby Flay” (Food Network, 10 p.m.) moves to its normal time slot.
The movie music of Ennio Morricone is the focus tonight on Turner Classic Movies with “For a Few Dollars More” (8 p.m.), “Death Rides a Horse” (10:30 p.m.), “The Mercenary” (12:30 a.m.), “The Five Man Army” (2:30 a.m.), and “Guns for San Sebastian” (4:30 a.m.).
NBA action includes Miami at San Antonio (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Lakers (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes Colorado at Detroit (NHL, 8 p.m.) and Pittsburgh at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes LSU at Vanderbilt (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Memphis at Cincinnati (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Villanova at Xavier (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Charlotte at Marshall (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Penn State at Northwestern (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), George Mason at La Salle (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.), UCLA at Washington (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Iowa at Michigan State (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Hawaii at UC Santa Barbara (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Butler at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Virginia Commonwealth at Richmond (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.) and Southern California at Washington State (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Spring baseball includes Yankees at Phillies (MLB, 1 p.m.), Rangers at Padres (MLB, 5 p.m.) and Dodgers at Angels (MLB, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ty Burrell, Scot Foley. The View: Tom Selleck, Omar Epps, Thomas Rhett, Rachel Campos-Duffy. The Talk: Simon Baker, Jessica Radloff, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Meryl Streep, Vanessa Hudgens (rerun). Wendy Williams: Jeff Lewis, Don Lemon, Siggy Flicker, Jane Velez-Mitchell.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Andrew Hadlock, Bob Mould. Jimmy Fallon: Liam Neeson, Lindsay Lohan, Bad Things. Jimmy Kimmel: Aaron Paul, Bellamy Young, Jetta. Seth Meyers: Martha Stewart, Lil Jon. Craig Ferguson: Rosie Perez. Carson Daly: Neil deGrasse Tyson, LP, Chris Burkard. Tavis Smiley: Emeli Sande, Robert Randolph. Jon Stewart: Kimberly Marten. Stephen Colbert: Theaster Gates. Arsenio Hall: Rick Ross, Brie & Nikki Bella, Natalie “Natalya” Neidart, Arlane “Cameron” Andrews, Trinity “Naomi” Uso, Eva Marie, Summer Rae. Conan O’Brien: Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Connolly, Drive-By Truckers. Chelsea Handler: Allison Janney, Whitney Cummings, Fortune Feimster, Brad Wollack, Mary McCormack. Pete Holmes: Paul Scheer, Adam Cayton Holland.