Two funny guys talking about their neighborhood and the world propelled Daniel Baker and Joel Martinez to a podcast, a cable show and now their biggest platform yet, premium cable, with the premiere of the late night “Desus & Mero” (Showtime, 11 p.m.). Besides bringing a new element to the network, it brings a new angle to late night talk, as the two promise to keep it real and step it up.
Accordingly, their first guest is arguably the only bigger current star from the Bronx, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Not only does she join them in their new studio, but they visit her in her new D.C. offices.
As Desus Nice told reporters at the TV Critics Association winter press tour last month, “You have four late night shows that are kind of similar, and ours is so radically different that you should just have the option to be, like, “Oh, okay, I want to watch something different. I don’t want to see a person in a suit and tie with a house band.” And that’s where we come in.”
Anna Paquin stars in the brash and fast moving new series “Flack” (Pop, 10 p.m.), about an American publicist in London who must tidy up celebrity misdeeds (and gets into a few herself).
In the Japanese import “The Drug King” (Netflix, streaming) a rookie rises through the ranks of 1970s drug smuggling.
“The Oath” (Crackle, streaming), the action crime drama about police gangs, created by Joe Halpin and executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, returns for a second season with Ryan Kwanten and Katrina Law
Here’s a show that was likely sold on its title alone: “Game of Clones” (MTV, 9 p.m.), a dating show in which contestants pick among very similar candidates. First one up, though, is Pauly D of “Jersey Shore” looking for a clone of his dream girl Megan Fox. Ick.
Abby is invited to a fancy art event at MoMA on “Broad City” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
The “Monnie Dearest” house is up for sale on “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Chase goes to a school dance with a fan and “The Other Two” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) tag along.
On “Mom” (CBS, 9 p.m), Christy tries to stop smoking.
On “FAM” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.), Clem and Nick have each been hiding the story of how they met.
Jeremiah returns to “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and works with Mad Hatter.
Jake and Holt clash over a new hire on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
On “Legacies” (CW, 9 p.m.), the annual talent show is threatened.
Meredith breaks a record on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“The Orville” (Fox, 9 p.m.) starts a two part space story.
Maggie’s friends await the result of her surgery on “A Million Little Things” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“S.W.A.T.” (CBS, 10 p.m.) tries keep peace on the eve of the Pride festival.
Five contestants have to perform in front of the press on “The Rap Game” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
“Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry” (E!, 8 p.m.) does his thing with Rebel Wilson, Chris Harrison and Sofia Vergara.
Ryn tries to help the other mermaids fit in with the humans on “Siren” (Freeform, 8 p.m.).
A celebrity Dungeons & Dragons game on “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.) brings William Shatner, Joe Manganiello, Kreeem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Smith.
“Young Sheldon” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) boycotts his favorite bread company.
Malcolm tries to get in Karen’s good graces on “Will & Grace” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.).
Annalise probes the murder of Nate Sr. on “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies has a couple of Oscar winners from Fellini, “8 1/2” (8 p.m.) and “La Strada” (10:30 p.m.), followed by a pair of prisoner sagas, “Cool Hand Luke” (12:30 a.m.) and “Midnight Express” (3 a.m.). The nominated films all day are in exotic locales: “Lady of the Tropics” (7 a.m.), “Miss Sadie Thompson” (9 a.m.), “Sayonara” (11 a.m.), “The Rains Came” (1:30 p.m.), “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness” (3:15 p.m.) and “Mogambo” (6 p.m.).
NBA action has Boston at Milwaukee (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Houston at Lakers (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Los Angeles at Nashville (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Michigan at Minnesota (ESPN, 7 p.m.), UCF at Cincinnati (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Vermont at UMBC (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Wagner at Bryant (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Connecticut at SMU (ESPN2, 9 p.m..), California at Arizona (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Oregon at USC (ESPN, 9 p.m.), High Point at Campbell (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Hawaii at UC Santa Barbara (ESPNU, 11 p.m.) and Oregon State at UCLA (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Alex Trebek, Lisa Rinna. The Talk: Wendi McLendon-Covey. Ellen DeGeneres: Milo Ventimiglia, Florida Georgia Line. Wendy Williams: Milly Almodovar, Carla Hall, Finesse Mitchell, Heather McDonald, AJ Gibson. The Real: Cory Hardrict, Ryan Kwanten, Leona Lewis, Killer Mike.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Annette Bening, Ana Navarro, Ben Platt. Jimmy Kimmel: Viola Davis, Charles P. Pierce, Cypress Hill (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Ken Jeong, Kate Upton, Anderson Paak. Seth Meyers: James Spader, Glenda Jackson, Brad Leone, Jeff Friedl. James Corden: Kal Penn, Chris O’Dowd. Carson Daly: Larry Charles, Blackberry Smoke, Sean Kerslake. Trevor Noah: Mark Duplass. Conan O’Brien: Steven Yeun, Corey Rodrigues (rerun).