As tempting it is to entirely ignore every overhyped thing connected with the Kardashians, the anticipated Bruce Jenner interview” with Diane Sawyer on a two hour “20/20” (ABC, 9 p.m.) could actually be a cultural turning point for how transgender people are seen and presented in the United States, depending how it’s handled (I can see Diane Sawyer’s scrunched face of concern right now). The fact that the transformation of the former Olympian is understood as something that should not be automatic fodder for ridicule is already a huge step.
“America’s Ballroom Challenge” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) returns for a fifth season after a six year hiatus from PBS. It has more in common with network dance shows than the dances of American smooth, American rhythm, international standard and international Latin. It also has former “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Mary Murphy doing commentary, alongside dancer Tony Meredith.
The latest in the series of one-hit musicians starring in reality shows about their new jobs in construction and renovation, “Flipping Ships” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) stars Edwin McCain (behind the song “I’ll Be”) restoring old boats to seaworthiness. His first job comes from a colleague, Darius Rucker, who wants his boat souped up for an auction.
Get a glimpse of Amsterdam’s hot tub boats on tonight’s “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Jim Norton: Contextually Inadequate” (Epix, 10 p.m.) is his latest standup special.
Pauly Shore, Jaleel White and Kevin Farley guest star in a “Hangover” themed episode of “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.) that also includes a murder.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Eddie Huang, Christopher Caldwell, Ana Marie Cox and Liz Mair are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
The month-long Friday night salute to special effects supervisor A. Arnold Gillespie on Turner Classic Movies concludes with “Forbidden Planet” (8 p.m.), “North by Northwest” (10 p.m.), “Ben-Hur” (12:30 a.m.) and “How the West was Won” (4:30 a.m.).
NBA Playoff games include Houston at Dallas (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Toronto at Washington (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at San Antonio (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
Stanley Cup playoff games include Ottawa at Montreal (CNBC, 7 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Rangers (NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.) and Minnesota at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 9:30 p.m.).
Baseball action includes Mets at Yankees (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Robert Downey Jr., Diane Sawyer, Quentin Alexander. The View: Diane Sawyer, Russell Crowe, Kevin Pollack, Christela Alonzo, Katherine Schwarzenegger. The Talk: Alex Trebek. Ellen Degeneres: Victoria Beckham, Katie Lowes, the Warning. Wendy Williams: Suzanne Somers. Meredith Vieira: Chrissy Teigen, Ashanti, Mario cantone. Queen Latifah: Jennifer Aniston, Michael Chiklis (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires. Jimmy Fallon: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Olsen. Jimmy Kimmel: Jamie Foxx, Betty White, Jamie Foxx with Chris Brown and Kid Ink (rerun). Seth Meyers: Kit Harington, Adam Horovitz, the Mountain Goats (rerun). James Corden: Jon Cryer, Grace Helbig, Freida Pinto, Andy Grammer (rerun). Carson Daly: Regina King, Sweat Lodge, Anna Mastro & Andrew J. West (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Jack Black.