The good news about the fourth major Democratic Presidential Debate (CNN, 8 p.m.) is that it’s just one night instead of two. The bad news is that with 12 candidates, it will be the most crowded stage yet and the hopefuls will have less time to make their case or stand out.
On stage will be Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Julián Castro, Cory Booker, Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer.
The New York Time co-sponsors the debate alongside CNN at Otterbein University outside of Columbus, Ohio with CNN. And the giant cloud over the entire proceeding: impeachment of their eventual opponent.
Speaking of which, a second season starts for “The Purge” (USA, Syfy, 9 p.m.), concentrating on four families and how they cope for the rest of the year when it isn’t the one-day lawless purge.
It leads into the new “Treadstone” (USA, Syfy, 10 p.m.), the Jason Bourne-derived series about the origins and current actions of CIA’s black ops program Operation Treadstone, which uses behavior modification to create superhuman assassins. Jeremy Irvine, Brian J. Smith and Omar Metwally star in the series from Tim Kring (“Heroes”) that also features Emilia Shūlte and Michelle Forbes.
Speaking of superheroes, “Arrow” (CW, 9 p.m.) returns for its eighth and final season, with Oliver returning to Starling City. It comes right after a new episode of “The Flash” (CW, 8 p.m.).
On “The Conners” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Becky seeks a bartending position despite her alcoholism.
Beth’s mom comes to visit on “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Jo wonders what to do with Piper on “Emergence” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
On “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.), Jack is cut from the basketball team.
Rainbow traces her family’s complicated roots on “Mixed-ish” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“FBI” (CBS, 9 p.m.) looks into a nightclub shooting that involves white supremacists.
The Lyon family is back together on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.) continues its battle rounds.
A patient who had been pronounced dead suddenly revives on “The Resident” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.) finds that a strange crime scene in Arlington National Cemetery is tied to a string of attacks on homeless veterans.
Can’t believe the name of the local paper on “Bless This Mess” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) is called the Bucksnort Bugle.
A preacher tries a different approach on “In a Man’s World” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
“NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.) uncovers a plot by a private detention center contracted to house undocumented immigrants.
EZ and the MC fight fire with fire on “Mayans M.C.” (FX, 10 p.m.).
On “New Amsterdam” (NBC, 10 p.m.), the hospital takes the city to task after they find a case of lead poisoning.
A cousin’s property is examined while “Finding Escobar’s Millions” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
On “Total Divas” (E!, 10 p.m., Trinity can’t hack it as a performer in an underwater mermaid show.
There’s a countdown of the Top 25 theories regarding “The Curse of Oak Island” (History, 9 p.m.). Are they sure they can find 25 different theories?
“Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.) has a cake showdown.
Turner Classic Movies presents a handful of rags to riches stories tonight with “Brewster’s Millions” (8 p.m.), “Annie” (9:45 p.m.), “Lady for a Day” (midnight), “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” (2 a.m.) and “It’s a Dog’s Life” (4:15 a.m.).
Earlier, it’s a string of movies with William Powell and Myrna Loy — “I Love You Again” (6 a.m.), “Evelyn Prentice” (8 a.m.), “Love Crazy” (9:30 a.m.), “Libeled Lady” (11:30 a.m.), “Shadow of the Thin Man” (1:30 p.m.), “The Thin Man Goes Home” (3:30 p.m.) and “Manhattan Melodrama” (5:30 p.m.).
Game 3 of the ALCS has Houston at Yankees (Fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.). Game 4 of the NLCS has St. Louis at Washington (TBS, 8 p..m), with me out in left field. Go Nats!
Hockey has Tampa Bay at Montreal (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.).
In preseason basketball, it’s Detroit at Philadelphia (NBA, 7 p.m.).
Soccer has Spain at Sweden (ESPNews, 2:30 p.m.) and U.S. at Canada (ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Lupita Wyong’o, Alyssa Milano, Amy E. Goodman. The View: Rachael Ray. The Talk: Jaime Pressly. Ellen DeGeneres: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, Midland. Kelly Clarkson: Tyler Perry: Ben Platt. Wendy Williams: Kathy Griffin. The Real: Mark L. Walberg, Tisha Campbell.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Paul McCartney (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Elton John, Taika Waititi, Thom Yorke. Jimmy Fallon: Demi Moore, Justin Hartley, Mark Ronson with Yeboah (rerun). Seth Meyers: John McEnroe, Toni Collette, the Hold Steady, Terri Lyne Carrington (rerun). James Corden: Sean Hayes, Kate Bosworth, Charlotte Day Wilson (rerun). Lilly Singh: Barbie Ferreira, Alex Demie (rerun). Trevor Noah: Alex Wagner. David Spade: Moshe Kashe, Lara Beitz, Bella Thorne. Conan O’Brien: Seann William Scott, Jena Friedman (rerun).