Joan Allen stars in “The Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.), a new series whose premise sounds kind of familiar. She’s an ambitious politician whose son went missing a decade ago. Suddenly he reappears, though not all are sure it’s really him. Rupert Graves is the dad; Liam James and Alison Pill are the siblings. And Andrew McCarthy puts in the most complex performance as one who was nabbed for murder in the original disappearance. It starts out OK, but looks like it may fall apart at any moment.
In the documentary “Looking for Lowry” (Ovation, 7 p.m.), Sir Ian McKellen looks into the life of the painter of the painter L.S. Lowry in the documentary “L
The field gets even smaller for the latest Republican Primary Debate (Fox, 9 p.m.), this time in Detroit. Donald Trump returns to the network he avoided, alongside Mario Rubio, Ted Cruz and John Kasich. Ben Carson announced he’ll sit out; he’s anticipated to announce a suspension of his campaign Friday.
The field is reduced to the top eight on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Another likable person on Spike Jonze’ new Viceland network is the rapper Action Bronson, who likes to go to good restaurants when he’s touring. His profanely titled travel/food show, “F*ck That’s Delicious” (Viceland, 10 p.m.) starts in Washington, D.C., where he scores a table at Rose’s Luxury without waiting in line. Then he goes to play the Fillmore in Silver Spring.
Later comes “The Flophouse” (Viceland, 10:30 p.m.), a series about the actual group houses that struggling comics share in Los Angeles, where they often put on shows for one another. It’s at once funner and far more real than similar fare on Comedy Central.
One of the most creative “Saturday Night Live” members finally gets her own show with “Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack” (TruTV, 11 p.m.) with skits, clips and small bits she chooses herself.
Things get lively when J.B. Smoke moves next door on “Life in Pieces” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
Just about everybody gets captured on “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
Wes looks for clues about his mother’s death on “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Meredith’s first surgical patient returns with a new aneurysm on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Jamie suffers a sudden tragedy on “You, Me and the Apocalypse” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Emergency services materials are turned into fashions on a new “Project Runway All Stars” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
Lexa tries to keep the piece on “The 100” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
The cooks on “Top Chef” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) compete in San Francisco.
A mysterious visitor advocates for mercy on “Vikings” (History, 10 p.m.).
The film within a sitcom thing continues on “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.).
The naughty movie “Spring Breakers” (TMC, 10 p.m.) is on cable.
On Turner Classic Movies, the 31 Days of Oscar are over, making way for a month-long Thursday night celebration of precisely the films the Catholic Legion of Decency condemned since it was formed in 1933. Among the first indecent, immoral, “The Story of Temple Drake” (8 p.m.), “Black Narcissus” (9:30 p.m.), “Design for Living” (11:30 p.m.), “The Outlaw” (1:15 a.m.), “Baby Face” (3:30 a.m.) and “Wild Boys of the Road” (5 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops today include Georgia at South Carolina (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Illinois at Maryland (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Memphis at Temple (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Massachusetts at Rhode Island (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), California at Arizona (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Connecticut at SMU (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Cincinnati at Houston (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Northwestern at Penn State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Stanford at Arizona State (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
Pro basketball includes Phoenix at Miami (NBA, 7:30 p.m.), San Antonio at New Orleans (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: John Stamos, Lana Parrilla, Daughtry. The View: Jane Mayer, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier. The Talk: Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Keltre Knight. Ellen DeGeneres: Zooey Deschanel, Bonnie Raid. Wendy Williams: Jennifer Lopez. The Real: Cocoa Brown (rerun). Meredith Vieira: CeeLo Green.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Christopher Meloni, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Edward Byers, Ray Lamontagne. Jimmy Kimmel: Jason Bateman, Aja Naomi King, CeeLo Green. Jimmy Fallon: Pharrell Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Loretta Lynn. Seth Meyers: Tina Fey, John Stamos, Jay Pharoah, Patrick Carney. James Corden: Gerard Butler, Will Forte, M. Ward. Carson Daly: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Day Wave, Mike Luciano and Phil Matarese. Tavis Smiley: Max Kenner, George Chochos. Trevor Noah: Mayor Bill de Blasio. Larry Wilmore: Michael Kenneth Williams. Conan O’Brien: Conor McGregor, Dave Attell, BJ the Chicago Kid.