It’s been a long time coming, but tonight marks the start of the NBA Finals with Miami at San Antonio (ABC, 9 p.m.). It also marks the move of the playoffs from cable to broadcast primetime, and as such accompanied by an entertainment preshow, “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” (ABC, 8 p.m.) with guests that include Martin Lawrence and NBA player Stephen Curry of Golden State.
In what seems to be a close tie-in with sponsor Christian Mingle or with the preceding show, “The American Bible Challenge” (GSN, 8 p.m.) here comes a dating show, “It Takes a Church” (GSN, 9 p.m.) which takes place in a church and the choices for eligible singles are heralded by their mothers and fellow parishioners and the choices made by the congregation. It’s hosted by Natalie Grant, a Contemporary Christian recording artist, and features a lot of Christian Mingle ads.
The second episode of “The Sixties” (CNN, 9 p.m.) looks at 1963’s Bay of Pigs and Cuban missile crisis.
Jenna Fischer, Jason Biggs, Laura Prepon, Darren Criss, Mario Lopez and Natasha Lyonne participate on “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Two more episodes of “Undateable” (NBC, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) may show it to be the only viable network comedy of the summer.
Auditions wind up on “Last Comic Standing” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.) checks in on subjects of a past report on transgendered.
Mark loses his cat Boomer on a new “Maron” (IFC, 10 p.m.).
That awful crew from “Party Down South” (CMT, 10 p.m.) moves further south, to Georgia for season two.
A new “Big Rig Bounty Hunters” (History, 10 p.m.) hauls some energy drinks.
Teams create their own menus on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“Pawn Stars” (History, 9 p.m.) stumbles into some Keith Haring art work.
In “Greatest Mysteries: American Museum Natural History” (Travel, 9 p.m.) they never answer why they don’t charge admission.
In “Life Below Zero” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.) there isn’t time for doing much more than chopping wood.
There’s a “Sixteen Candles” (ABC Family, 7 p.m.) and “The Breakfast Club” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) double feature. Also “Ghostbusters” (AMC, 8 p.m.) and “Ghostbusters II” (AMC, 10:30 p.m.).
A month-long, 21-film Thursday night salute to Rock Hudson on Turner Classic Movies begins with “The Last Sunset” (8 p.m.), “The Tarnished Angels” (10 p.m.), “Bend of the River” (11:45 p.m.), “Winchester ’73” (1:30 a.m.) and “Fighter Squadron” (3:15 a.m.).
Baseball includes Oakland at Yankees (MLB, 1 p.m.).
The French Open (ESPN2, 9 a.m.) reaches the women’s semifinals.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Channing Tatum, Daughtry. The View: Robert De Niro, Perri Peltz, Tyne Daly, Roseanne Barr. The Talk: Felicity Huffman, Valentine, Steve Samson. Ellen DeGeneres: Emily Blunt, Ansel Elgort, Loni Love (rerun). Wendy Williams: Alison Sweeney.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Hugh Jackman, Joe List. Jimmy Fallon: Mike Myers, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Damon Albarn. Jimmy Kimmel: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Jenny Slate, OneRepublic. Seth Meyers: Jonah Hill, Laura Dern, Nick Turner. Craig Ferguson: John Waters, Yunjin Kim. Carson Daly: Lee Pace, Liquor Store, John Green. Tavis Smiley: Peniel Joseph, Tatiana Maslany. Jon Stewart: Tom Cruise. Stephen Colbert: Chrissie Hynde. Arsenio Hall: Shemar Moore, Daniela Ruah, Malina Moye, Bootsy Collins (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jon Favreau, ROb Riggle, Echosmith. Chelsea Handler: Colin Hanks, Kevin Christy, Whitney Cummings, Jo Koy. Pete Holmes: Eliza Coupe, Beth Stelling.