Justin Simien’s adaptation of his own movie of the same name, “Dear White People” (Netflix, streaming) is a 10-episode series about a group of students at a fictional Ivy League university negotiating the supposedly post-racial society, political correctness, woke-ness and the rest. It does so with wit and insight and has a strong cast that includes Logan Browning, Antoinette Robertson, Brandon P. Bell and Ashley Blain Featherson. Like a junior version of “Insecure” with a wider intended net.
It seemed like the TV season started with a spate of Jon Benet rehashes on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of her death. The latest one, “Casting JonBenet” (Netflix, streaming) takes a completely different angle by throwing a fake casting call for townspeople, getting their take on the mystery at the same time. Clearly some people are bringing issues with them into the sessions and the exercise serves as a kind of group therapy for them. Fascinating.
There ended up being more movies about the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots. John Ridley’s version “Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992” (ABC, 9 p.m.) gets a broadcast showcase. His take is that racial strife between the L.A. police and the community had been building for years, but we learned that last year in “O.J.: Made in America.”
A third season starts for the romantic comedy “Catastrophe” (Amazon Prime, streaming) starring Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, who also write their characters, now deep into their marriage and right in the middle of a rift. Will there be a Brexit?
The 10th season of “Marriage Boot Camp” (We, 9 p.m.) is a family edition with the family of Chad Ochocinco of “Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch; Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino of “Jersey Shore” Kenda Wilkinson of “Kendra On Top” and Farrah Abraham of “Teen Mom” — and their families.
A new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) hosts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former energy secretary Ernest Moniz, venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, director Rob Reiner and CNN commentator Tara Setmayer.
Siblings double date on their “First Dates” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
“Dateline” (NBC, 9 p.m.) recalls the murder 20 years ago of Gianni Versace.
“Ancient Aliens” (History, 9 p.m.) starts its 12th season; “Ginormous Food” (Food, 8 p.m.) is only at its second. It starts by overeating in the South.
“Rosewood” (Fox, 8 p.m.) closes out its second season.
Contestants on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1, 8 p.m.) impersonate celebrities on a makeshift game show.
On “The Originals” (The CW, 8 p.m.), Klaus and Elijah throw a party to lure a new threat.
A walking dinosaur is pitched on “The Toy Box” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Undercover Boss” (CBS, 8 p.m.) returns with new episodes; the first has the CEO of Taco Bueno going under cover.
Danny protects a coma patient on “Hawaii Five-0” CBS, 9 p.m.).
Mary schemes about taking over the throne on “Reign” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Charlie clears a trail on “Yukon Men” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Russians even interfere on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ Friday night spotlight on post-war melodrama concludes with “Bigger Than Life” (8 p.m.), “Come Back, Little Sheba” (10 p.m.), “About Mrs. Leslie” (midnight), “The Sandpiper” (2 a.m.) and “Now, Voyager” (4:15 a.m.).
NBA Playoffs have Washington at Atlanta (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.), Boston at Chicago (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Utah (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
In the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s Nashville at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Edmonton at Anaheim (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Cubs at Boston (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Track and field’s Penn Relays (NBC Sports, 5:30 p.m.) are run.
College baseball has TCU at Texas Tech (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college lacrosse includes Manhattan at Monmouth (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Loyola vs. Holy Cross (CBS Sports, 4:30 p.m.), North Carolina vs. Syracuse (ESPNews, 6 p.m.), Boston University vs. Army (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), and Duke vs. Notre Dame (ESPNews, 8:30 p.m.).
And the NFL Draft (ESPN, 7 p.m.; ESPN2, 8 p.m.) moves to cits second and third rounds.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: LL Cool J, Lea Michele, John Leguizamo. The View: Salma Hayek, Eugenio Derbez, Dr. Ian Smith. The Talk: Joseph Fiennes, Kathryn Hahn, Jan Jeffcoat. Harry Connick: Charlamagne Tha God, Cody Johnson. Ellen DeGeneres: Oprah Winfrey, Laura Dern, Joley Fisher, Clea Lewis, David Anthony Higgins. Wendy Williams: Jenna Elfman. The Real: Rasheed Frost.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Tom Hanks, Anna Baryshnikov. Jimmy Kimmel: Magic Johnson, Gabourey Sidibe, Dua Lipa (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Martin Short, Britt Robertson, Jessica Seinfeld. Seth Meyers: Jake Gyllenhaal, Whitney Cummings, Post Malone with Quavo of Migos and Metro Booming, Charlie Benante (rerun). James Corden: Alec Baldwin, Kerry Washington, Jose Gonzalez (rerun). Carson Daly: Abigail Spencer, Asia Kate Dillon (rerun).