EmpireTo the surprise of even its network “Empire” (Fox, 8 p.m.) became the juggernaut its title promised — certainly the biggest scripted hit the network has had in a very long time, whose numbers have done something no other show has ever done: Increased week by week since its start.

Part of that is star power of its leads Terence Howard and especially Taraji P. Henson as a exes battling over a recording label. But it is also the unique setting and the tapping of stars. Its soundtrack already debuted at No. 1 this week and Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Ora are all guest stars for tonight’s two hour finale, as is Patti LaBelle, who will be more at home here than she was earlier this week on “Dancing with the Stars.”

There is star power behind the camera as well, with Lee Daniels taking the help and tonight’s finale directed by Melvin Van Peebles and Debbie xxxx. “Empire” is event TV that now attracts more activity on Twitter than any current show; its same-week viewing numbers rival all but a couple other shows. That’s why it’s surprising that it’s ending now, so soon after its start. Likely it will be a big, brawling full season when it returns next season.

I’m just as sad though about the season finale of one of the smallest shows on TV, the raucous “Broad City” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.), on which Illana celebrates her 23rd birthday.

The 50th anniversary of the beloved musical gets its own special on “The Untold Story of ‘The Sound of Music: A Diane Sawyer Special” (ABC, 10 p.m.) on which the former anchor revisits the hills and some of the other filming sites with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

The no collar team is also no winner on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.), so they’re already mixing teams up. Tonight’s a two hour episode in advance of the coming March Madness.

In a kind of more lurid, much more hungover version of “Taxicab Confessions,” the drivers of the “Walk of Shame Shuttle” (VH1, 9 p.m.) get all night revelers to spill about what happened the night before.

It accompanies the odd new “Barely Famous” (VH1, 9:30 p.m.), in which daughters of David Foster make fun of the kind of girls who would be on reality shows by being girls on a reality show. It looks like it might be funny if it can be a little more clear about its approach.

Levinson Wood probably lugged a whole lot of provisions for his 4,250-mile African trek. But he brought a film crew too resulting in “Walking the Nile” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.), a three hour special that will, with any luck, also include glimpses of animals.

More wrenching courtroom action is expected on the new episode of “Broadchurch” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).

Nina gets a flashback on “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.).

A car service is hacked on “CSI: Cyber” (CBS, 10 p.m.). Next week: Somebody loses a phone.

Betty White becomes acting mayor on “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land, 10 p.m.) and Billy Baldwin plays a reporter.

The Wednesday night, 35-film, month-long salute to Ann Southern on Turner Classic Movies continues with mostly musicals: “Nancy Goes to Rio” (8 p.m.), “April Showers” (9:45 p.m.), “Panama Hattie” (11:30 p.m.), “Lady Be Good” (1 a.m.), “Walking on Air” (3 a.m.), “Hooray for Love” (4:15 a.m.) and “Thousands Cheer” (5:30 a.m.).

The other two play-in games for the NCAA tournament happen, with North Florida vs. Robert Morris (truTV, 6:30 p.m.) and Boise State vs. Dayton (truTV, 9 p.m.). Full Madness begins tomorrow.

Along those lines, the documentary “Hoops U” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) follows tournament preparations by Notre Dame and the University of Maryland teams.

Otherwise the NIT first round games continue with Arizona State at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Wisconsin-Green Bay at Illinois State (ESPNU, 8 p.m.), Vanderbilt at Saint Mary’s (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) and South Dakota State at Colorado State (ESPNU, 10 p.m.).

NBA action includes Orlando at Dallas (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Atlanta at Golden State (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).

In the NHL, it’s Chicago at Rangers (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.) and Los Angeles at Anaheim (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).

Daytime Talk

Kelly & Michael: Will Ferrell, Derek Hough, Erin Andrews. The View: Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett, Becky Hammon, Raven-Symone. The Talk: Thandie Newton, Elisha Cuthbert, Camila Alves, Carnie Wilson, Dania Ramirez. Ellen DeGeneres: Justin Bieber, Jane Krakowski, Madonna. Wendy Williams: Cedric the Entertainer, Niecy Nash. Meredith Vieira: Grace Gealey, Melissa Joan Hart. Queen Latifah: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Patti LaBelle, Curtis Stone, Art Smith (rerun).

Late Talk

David Letterman: Norm MacDonald, Theo James. Jimmy Fallon: Will Ferrell, Chelsea Peretti, Boots. Jimmy Kimmel: Tony Romo, James Bay. Seth Meyers: Lena Dunham, Erin Andrews, Tove Stryke. Late Late Show: Jimmy Kimmel, John Krasinski, David Cross, Will Arnett (rerun). Carson Daly: Regina King, Anna Mastro & Andrew J. West. Tavis Smiley: Phillip Atiba Goff, Anne Heche. Jon Stewart: Kevin Hart. Conan O’Brien: Sean Penn, Sasha Alexander, Dana Gould.