The story behind the latest documentary project, “McMillion$” (HBO, 10 p.m.), is undoubtedly a fascinating one: That the famous Monopoly game that the huge chain ran from 1989 to 2001 was entirely rigged, with the top $1 million prizes going to one or two families related by blood. Telling the story which grew out of an investigation by the FBI office in Jacksonville, though, the filmmakers take a podcast approach, slowing down the action and throwing in extraneous detail to make what would have been a decent feature length story into a six part, six hour slog, with less a prospect for ultimate satisfaction than the original fast food contest.
Probably better and more to the point is a new documentary “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code” on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) about a heat wave in Chicago that killed 739 people, dramatically showing the divisions in the city.
Coverage of the Iowa Caucus (CNN, 4 p.m.; MSNBC, 5 p.m.), the first contest in the presidential race they’ve been talking about for 18 months, will be nonstop on cable news networks, though broadcast networks are expected to break in with sporadic results as they come in.
One more piece of business in the Trump Impeachment Trial (CSPAN, CNN, MSNBC, 11 a.m.): Final arguments.
Alison Hanigan hosts the new “Girl Scout Cookie Championship” (Food, 8 pm.), in which a handful of professional bakers try to approximate the famous brand.
It’s the season finale of “Below Deck” (Bravo, 8 p.m.), but the first episode of the new “Below Deck Sailing Yacht” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), following a different yacht and its crew.
“The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is scarred by their trip to Costa Rica.
Brannax takes an audience with Marilyn Manson, playing himself, on “The New Pope” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
A tornado sweeps through Austin on a new “9-1-1: Lone Star” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“America’s Got Talent: The Champtions” (NBC, 8 p.m.) sees 12 acts perform in the semi-finals.
Spencer is in bad shape on “All American” (CW, 8 p.m.).
“The Neighborhood” (CBS, 8 p.m.) plays a local bar’s trivia night.
Malcolm gets sidetracked during his vacation on “Prodigal Son” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
On “Manifest” (NBC, 10 p.m.), Grace and Cal are involved in a hit and run.
Dottie is pleased with her physical therapy progress on “Bob (Hearts) Abishola” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
On “All Rise” (CBS, 9 p.m.), Lola fights against her mother’s statement against the justice system.
Olivia returns to New York on “Love & Hip Hop” (VH1, 8 p.m.). Amara makes a decision about her relationship on “Love & Hip Hop Miami” (VH1, 9 p.m.).
On “Black Lightning” (CW, 9 p.m.), Lynn continues battling her demons.
Chef Marcus Samuelson looks at the food world in Philadelphia on “No Passport Required” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Bull” (CBS, 10 p.m.) defends a couple being sued by their baby’s biological father.
Competitors on “Spy Games” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) are broken into teams.
A couple of big movies tonight on BET has “12 Years a Slave” (BET, 5:30 p.m.) and “Creed” (BET, 9 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ 31 Days of Oscar has “Born to Dance” (6:30 a.m.), “Broadway Melody of 1936” (8:30 a.m.), “Lady Be Good” (10:45 a.m.), “Neptune’s Daughter” (12:45 p.m.), “On the Town” (2:30 p.m.), “The Tender Trap” (4:15 p.m.), “The Bachelor Party” (6:15 p.m.), “Bus Stop” (8 p.m.), “Some Like It Hot” (9:45 p.m.), “The Great Race” (midnight), “Pocketful of Miracles” (2:45 a.m.) and “Cimarron” (5:15 a.m.).
NBA action includes Philadelphia at Miami (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and San Antonio at Clippers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Philadelphia at Detroit (NBC, 7:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops has North Carolina at Florida State (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Norfolk State at North Carolina Central (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Lafayette at Bucknell (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Texas at Kansas (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Baylor at Kansas State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
WOmen’s games include Oregon at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Women’s soccer has Panama vs. Haiti (Fox Sports 2, 6 p.m.) and Costa Rica at U.S. (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.) in Concacaf Olympic qualifiers.
Women’s hockey has U.S. at Canada (NHL, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hockey has Harvard vs. Northeastern (NHL, 5 p.m.) and Boston College vs. Boston University (NHL, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Claire Danes, Derek Hough. The Talk: Cedric the Entertainer. Ellen DeGeneres: Diane Keaton, Lior Suchard. Kelly Clarkson: Norman Lear, Fortune Feimster. Tamron Hall: Beverly Johnson. Wendy Williams: Jason Lee, Ashlee Glazer. The Real: Chrissy Metz, Diane Warren, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: James Taylor, Rob McElhenney, Moses Sumney. Jimmy Kimmel: Will Arnett, Hot Country Knights. Jimmy Fallon: Andy Samberg, Mary Elizabeth Winsted, Finneas. Seth Meyers: Fran Drescher, Dean-Charles Chapman, Paul Krugman, Ilan Rubin. Lilly Singh: Ilana Glazer. Trevor Noah: Daniel Ricciardo. David Spade: Dana Gould, Cristela Alonzo, Pete Holmes. Conan O’Brien: Antonio Banderas.