Amid a flurry of superhero shows on screen and TV, “Powerless” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) stands out because it focuses on the smaller support people in the background. In this case it’s the company run by Bruce Wayne’s inept cousin that makes devices that allow citizens to cope from superhero fight fallout. Vanessa Hudgens is fine in the workplace comedy with a tone similar to the adjoining “Superstore” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and the cast includes both Danny Pudi and Ron Funches. For being a co-product of DC comics, it’s allowed to make some fun of the overly-revered classic characters.
A much more conventional sitcom — which is sad because it’s based on a play by Pulitzer prize winning Tracy Letts — is “Superior Donuts” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.), about a new hire at an old donut shop, with Judd Hirsch trading insults with newcomer Jermaine Fowler like some sort of rehashed “Chico and the Man.” Also in the cast: Katey Sagal, Maz Jobrani and David Koechner.
For years, CBS has been happy to turn out bad, predictable dramas for audiences who watch them in large numbers anyway. Now it’s got a truly heinous one: “Training Day” (CBS, 10 p.m.), a variation of the old Denzel Washington film, with Bill Paxton as an amoral, murderous sociopath who speaks in a laughable Clint Eastwood whisper and thinks he’s doing great police work. Justin Cornwell plays his skeptical new partner. It’s odious work at exactly the wrong time.
Also new today is “Nirvanna the Band the Show” (Viceland, 10 p.m.), a new comedy from Spike Jonez based on the Toronto webcast.
The 16th season finale of “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) is the first between two women. Heather Williams, 26, of Easton, Penn., and Kimberly-Ann “Ryan” Ryan, 29, of Traverse City, Mich., will compete for the big prize: head position at a restaurant at the Venetian Las Vegas.
The joke of “A Groundhog Day Story” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) is that the documentary repeats all night until 3 a.m., just like the film “Groundhog Day” (AMC, 9 p.m.) which plays over and over for 20 hours, just like the action in the Bill Murray film.
Cuba Gooding Jr. goes “Inside the Actors Studio” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
Christopher Waltz goes to IHOP with Jerry Seinfeld in “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” (Crackle, streaming).
It’s Brandi Glanville vs. Brandy on “My Kitchen Rules” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Josie and the Pussycats sing “Sugar Sugar,” the Archies hit, on “Riverdale” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Annalise is close to demanding prison reform on “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Alex is still missing on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“Scandal” (ABC, 9 p.m.) flashes back on the campaign — theirs not ours.
Sheldon tests an emption detector on “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
A girl’s symptoms quickly change on “Chicago Med” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
An assassin uses disease to kill on “The Blacklist” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Mom” (CBS, 9 p.m.) has its pot cookie episode.
On “Life in Pieces” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.), Greg wants to be best man at Matt’s wedding.
Turner Classic Movies’ 31 Days of Oscar quickly goes from the As to just the start of the Bs with “Au Revoir Les Enfants” (7:30 a.m.), “Auntie Mame” (9:30 a.m.), “Baby Doll” (noon), “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” (2 p.m.), “Bachelor Mother” (4 p.m.), “The Bad and the Beautiful” (6 p.m.), “The Band Wagon” (8 p.m.), “The Barefoot Contessa” (10 p.m.), “Barry Lyndon” (12:15 a.m.), “The Battle of Algiers” (3:30 a.m.) and “Battleground” (5:45 a.m.).
NBA action includes Atlanta at Houston (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Golden State at Clippers (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Rangers at Buffalo (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Michigan State at Nebraska (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Missouri at Florida (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Bryant at Mount St. Mary’s (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Memphis at South Florida (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.), Arizona at Oregon State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Belmont at Murray State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), UAB at UTEP (CBS Sports, 10 p.m.), Gonzaga at BYU (ESPN2, 11 p.m.), Saint Mary’s at Pacific (ESPNU, 11 p.m.) and Arizona State at Oregon (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Keanu Reeves, Jeff Perry, Carson Kressley, Carrie Ann Inaba. The View: Dr. Phil McGraw. The Talk: Bill Paxton, Justin Cornwell, Lindsay Miller, Marcia Gay Harden, Thomas Lennon. Harry Connick: Jace Norman, Dan Schachner. Ellen DeGeneres: Drew Barrymore. Wendy Williams: Michael Bolton. The Real: Ken Jeong, Suzy Nakamura, Kandi Burruss.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Dr. Phil McGraw, Michael Bolton, Maren Morris. Jimmy Kimmel: Charlie Weber, BJ the Chicago Kit. Jimmy Fallon: Kristen Stewart, Dan Rather, Big Sean. Seth Meyers: Leslie Mann, Jeff Perry, Alex Guarnaschelli, Kenny Aronoff. James Corden Mindy Kaling, Bill Paxton. Carson Daly: Russell Peters, Summer Moon, Yvonne Orji (rerun). Trevor Noah: Blair Underwood. Conan O’Brien: Ken Jeong, Colin Hanks, K. Flay.