Not so much family comedies, an increasing number of darker new series take the worst possible view of parenthood and the scourge of having kids. The latest, and strongest in that direction, is “Breeders” (FX, 10 p.m.), staffed with a terrific cast of Martin Freeman, as a dad with a short fuse and exceedingly bad luck, and his wife, played by Daisy Haggard, who recently starred in the Showtime series “Back to Life.”
Together, the harried careerists can’t quite make home life work. “I would die for those kids but often I also want to kill them,” he says. The first episode is a classic in things going wrong, and in a second episode at 10:40 p.m., there is a visit from an American father in law, Michael McKean.
Meanwhile, on McKean’s former Monday night series, Jimmy’s business veers into new, uncharted territory on “Better Call Saul” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Pete, “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) may have made his work cutting a field of three women to two easier by causing Madison to storm off, but maybe that’s only made her a more attractive candidate. Then there’s the petty bickering of the “Women Tell All” episode — all on the day when Clare Crawly has been announced as the new, older (39) “Bachelorette.”
After premiering on Sunday, “Dispatches from Elsewhere” (AMC, 10:15 p.m.), moves to its regular time slot.
How about a feature film about water — from ice sheets in Greenland to hurricanes in Miami? “Aquarela” (Starz, 9 p.m.) comes without any narration.
“The Good Doctor” (ABC, 10 p.m.) takes big risks in tackling a patient’s mysterious, longtime illness.
Saanvi shares a medical discovery on “Manifest” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“9-1-1: Lodestar” (Fox, 8 p.m.) deals with a rattlesnake infestation.
Sofia tries to bring Brannox back to the Vatican on “The New Pope” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
The latest true crime series is “The Real Story with Maria Elena Salinas” (OWN, 9 p.m.), competing with things like “Twisted Love” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.) and “Stranger Among Us” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.).
The FBI tries to witness a key game piece exchange on the latest episode of “McMillion$” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
“Black Lightning” (CW, 9 p.m.) prepares for advances by Gravedigger and the Markovians.
Blind auditions continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
A new documentary “Epic Warrior Women: Vikings” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.) confirms what only seemed like fiction on series like “The Vikings” — that women played a much larger role as warriors.
Spencer goes around Billy to get what he wants on “All American” (CW, 8 p.m.).
On the season finale of “Brain Games” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.), Tiffany Haddish is guest.
“Kids Baking Championship” (Food, 10 p.m.) crowns a winner.
Missy Elliott is special guest on “Desus & Mero” (Showtime, 11 p.m.).
“Briarpatch” (USA, 11 p.m.) holds a funeral.
It’s finally the last day of 31 Days of Oscar on Turner Classic Movies, which concludes with “The Card” (6 a.m.), “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” (7:45 a.m.), “Lawrence of Arabia” (10:30 a.m.), “The Window” (2:30 p.m.), “Strangers on a Train” (4 p.m.), “I Want You” (6 p.m.), “Laura” (8 p.m.), “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” (9:45 p.m.), “My Fair Lady” (11:45 p.m.), “The Nun’s Story” (3 a.m.) and “Tom Jones” (5:45 a.m.).
Spring baseball includes Minnesota vs. St. Louis (MLB, 1 p.m.), Angels vs. Cubs (ESPN, 3 p.m.) and Cubs vs. Oakland (MLB, 9 p.m.).
NBA action has Milwaukee at Miami (NBA, 7:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Colorado at Detroit (NHL, 7:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops have North Carolina State at Duke (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Texas Tech at Baylor (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Alabama State at Texas Southern (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Women’s games have South Florida at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Wichita State at Central Florida (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Winston Duke, Aaron Tveit, American Authors. The View: Ana Navarro. The Talk: Chicago, Joey & Matthew Lawrence. Ellen DeGeneres: Judge Judy Sheindlin, Chris Pratt. Kelly Clarkson: Lilly Singh, Paul Wesley, Sinéad Burke. Tamron Hall: Stars of “Cheer.” Wendy Williams: Makho Ndiovu, A.J. Gibson. The Real: Niles Fitch, Lauren Speed, Cameron Hamilton.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Ty Burrell, John Heilemann, James Taylor. Jimmy Kimmel: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Freddie Highmore, Tame Impala. Jimmy Fallon: Rachel Maddow, Pamela Adlon, Joji. Seth Meyers: Winston Duke, Surfaces, Glen Sobel. James Corden: Mark Wahlberg, Iliza Shlesinger, Rob Haze. Lilly Singh: Taran Killam. Trevor Noah: Nina Dobrev. David Spade: Josh Wolf, Erik Griffin, Arielle Vanderberg. Conan O’Brien: Flula Borg, Cameron Esposito.