I was the worst audience for the hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet” despite my love for the music, because I had serious issues with all its changed details about the rise of rock ’n’ roll in Memphis. But the spin-off TV series “Sun Records” (CMT, 10 p.m.) has plenty of time to sort out those details — and the guy to do it, music journalist Colin Escott, even as it includes some tasty musical bits in telling the tales of the rise of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and the stars of the fabled recording studio.
It seems like they got teenagers who play the main roles and I had problems with the casting of Chad Michael Murray as label founder Sam Phillips (blonde?). but he shows some credible passion for the music he records. Jerry Lee Lewis isn’t even in the mix yet, and B.B. King arrives next week. And while the marital infidelity subplot seems unnecessary, it seems like the series has a lot going for it.
It follows a key episode of the transplanted “Nashville” (CMT, 9 p.m.) in which the fate of Connie Britton’s Rayna James may be determined after a big accident last week. Together, it makes a night of music-oriented, Tennessee-centered drama on the network.
Famke Janssen takes up the role of Scottie Hargrave of a private military intelligence firm, introduced on “The Blacklist” (NBC, 9 p.m.) last season, for her own stand alone spin-off, “The Blacklist: Redemption” (NBC, 10 p.m.). As in the original show, she has a mysterious connection to the spy played by Ryan Eggold.
Online, the podcast “My Brother, My Brother and Me” (Seeso, streaming) is turned into a TV show featuring the same three West Virginia brothers who give out bad information.
Answers may be forthcoming in the two hour third season finale of “How to Get away with Murder” (ABC, 9 p.m.), specifically, who killed Wes.
The pretty well done series “The History of Comedy” (CNN, 10 p.m.) turns its gaze to sitcoms.
“Project Runway: Junior” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) ends its season by naming a winner.
Martha gets Chip a job at a car wash on “Baskets” (FX, 10 p.m.). I see an opportunity for slapstick.
On “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Alex finds out how much has changed at the hospital since he left.
The final three have to make tailgate food for the Los Angeles Rams on “My Kitchen Rules” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
On “Riverdale” (The CW, 9 p.m.), the Blossom family’s plan for Jason’s funeral has a secret agenda.
A merchant ship ghost may be behind a murder at a museum on “Supernatural” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
The first mystery box challenge is unveiled on “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Emily starts dating one of the Riddler’s henchmen on “Powerless” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
It’s Comic-Con time on “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Greg and Jen are locked out of the house on “Life in Pieces” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.).
A friend of Frank’s is killed by yakuza assassins on “Training Day” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Jack has a dinner party on “The Great Indoors” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
On “Superstore” (NBC, 8 p.m.), Amy sees Mateo out on a secret date.
Wendie Malick guest stars on “Mom” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The alphabetical 31 Days of Oscar reaches S with “San Antonio” (6:45 a.m.), “San Francisco” (8:45 a.m.), “The Sandpiper” (10:45 a.m.), “Scrooge” (12:45 p.m.), “The Sea Hawk” (2:45 p.m.), “The Sea Wolf” (5 p.m.), “Second Chorus” (6:30 p.m.), “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (8 p.m.), “The Seven Per Cent Solution” (10 p.m.), “Shaft” (midnight), “Shall We Dance” (2 a.m.) and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (4:15 a.m.).
The NBA goes back to work for the second half of its season with New York at Cleveland (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Arizona at Chicago (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes LIU Brooklyn at Mount St. Mary’s (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Memphis at Cincinnati (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Georgia at Alabama (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Nebraska at Michigan State (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), South Florida at Tulsa (ESPNews, 8 p.m.), Tennessee Tech at Morehead State (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Wisconsin at Ohio State (ESPN, 9 p.m.), UCLA at Arizona State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), North Carolina Asheville at Garner-Webb (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Utah at Colorado (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Mary-Louise Parker, Chris Byrne, Jason Derulo. The View: Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. The Talk: Luke Wilson, Jaymes Vaughan, Wolfgang Puck. Harry Connick: Corey Hawkins, Mae Whitman, Hilary Farr and David Visentin. Ellen DeGeneres: Jimmy Kimmel. Wendy Williams: Theresa Caputo, AJ Gibson. The Real: Justin Cornwell, NeNe Leakes.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Aubrey Plaza, Bradley Whitford, Lupe Fiasco. Jimmy Kimmel: John Travolta, Eddie Redmayne, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Bridges, Lupita Wyong’o, Sean Penn, Matt Damon (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Susan Sarandon, Elijah Wood, Little Big Town, Charlie Wilson. Seth Meyers: Allison Williams, Paul Scheer, Rob Hubbel, Paul Beatty, Andres Forero. James Corden: Jordan Peele, Nick Kroll, Ryan Adams. Carson Daly: Jordan Peele, Nick Kroll, Ryan Adams. Carson Daly: Jordan Peele, Moving Units, Jermaine Fowler. Conan O’Brien: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Nick Swardson, Norm MacDonald, Rob Schneider (rerun).