Let’s face it, on some nights, nothing is on TV – especially on a Friday before the big Labor Day Weekend.
Nonetheless, let us consider some options:
A husband and wife team steps to the fore among TV survivalists shows as Mykel Hawke, a former Special Forces survival expert, and his journalist wife, Ruth England, pictured right, star in the new series “Man, Woman, Wild” (Discovery, 8 and 9 p.m.). It starts tonight with a raft overturning in Utah and then a boat breakdown in the Bahamas. They must devise a way to get clean water and to cure seasickness. Perhaps they should get the camera crew to help.
A Dallas megachurch requires a huge aquarium on “Tanked” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.).
A regional winner is crowned on “Karaoke Battle USA” (ABC, 9 p.m.), who will advance to the semifinals.
You’ll be glad to know that “The Big C” (Showtime 2, 9:30 p.m.) has been renewed for a third season.
The NBC sitcom “Friends with Benefits” (NBC, 8 p.m.) keeps burning off episodes, two by two. They’re just about the only new scripted thing on TV tonight.
First, there are mermaids on Turner Classic Movies with “Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid” (8 p.m.), “Beach Blanket Bingo” (9:45 p.m.), “Miranda” (11:30 p.m.) and “Mad About Men” (1 a.m.), before the attention falls to the undead: “Zombies of Tora Tau” (2:30 a.m.) and “I Walked with a Zombie” (3:45 a.m.).
Weird bunch of movies on tonight, ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. That is to say: “Sophie’s Choice” (Flix, 8 p.m.) to “Dumb and Dumber” (Encore, 8 p.m.). Also: “Bad Boys II” (Cinemax, 8 p.m.).
Might be worthwhile to check out the late Jill Clayburgh in “An Ummarried Woman” (Fox Movie Channel, 8 p.m.).
As she prepares her new film for release Jennifer Westfeldt’s last film “Kissing Jessica Stein” (HBO2, 6:15 p.m.) gets an early evening replay.
If you missed it Sunday, there’s a replay of the MTV Video Music Awards 2011 (MTV, 7 p.m.) that was both the most seen VMAs in the network’s history and the most watched program they ever ran.
There’s a pig roast on a new “Swamp Loggers” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
Strudel is the word on “Sugar High” (Food, 10:30 p.m.).
A mix-up in the dress order must be a sign, a mother is convinced on “Say Yes to the Dress – Atlanta” (TLC, 8 p.m.). It precedes “Four Weddings” (TLC, 9:30 p.m.).
In college football, it’s TCU at Baylor (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Halloween show (rerun). The View: Vanessa Williams, Matt Paxton, Weird Al Yankovic (rerun). The Talk: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Jami Gertz (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Julia Roberts, Colin Farrell, Jaden Smith, One eskimO. Wendy Williams: Darius Rucker (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: James Francol, Dianna Aron, Josh Groban, Christina Perri. Jay Leno: Dick Cheney, Andy Grammer. Jimmy Kimmel: Joel McHale, Joe Mantegna, the Band Perry (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Jason Sudeikis, Deena Cortese, Jon Rineman. Craig Ferguson: Lindsay Sloane, Peter Krause. Tavis Smiley: Dave Stewart. Carson Daly: David Sirota, Mona. Chelsea Handler: Jessica Chastain, Chris Hardwick, Jen Kirkman, Ryan Stout (rerun).