The first new network show of the fall broadcast season brings Sarah Michelle Geller back as twin sisters in “Ringer” (CW, 9 p.m.). The ne’er do well sister takes her more successful sister’s place after a mysterious disappearance and the thrills are supposed to begin.
But this much used storyline (most recently in ABC Family’s “The Lying Game”) moves a little clunkily and Gellar, for all of her popularity in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is not very appealing in either of the roles. The pilot moves along like the first half of a poorly made Lifetime movie and we’re not sure we want to stick around for the second half.
Still, it is boosted by the lead-in of the fourth season premiere of “90120” (The CW, 8 p.m.) with Naomi off to college, pregnant.
Most new network shows won’t premiere until next week, but suddenly, out of the blue, perhaps in a bid to get noticed, the third season of “Parenthood” (NBC, 10 p.m.) begins. The story about a large family, populated with a talented cast, continues to be a standout drama on broadcast TV, if only because it isn’t about cops or hospitals or lawyers. Tonight, Sarah approaches her 40th birthday.
Newly released recordings of interviews Arthur Schlesinger Jr. conducted with Jacqueline Kennedy shortly after the assassination of her husband are the subject of a new book – and an accompanying TV special hosted by Diane Sawyer, “Jacqueline Kennedy: In Her Own Words” (ABC, 9 p.m.) that also features an interview with Caroline Kennedy, who wrote an introduction to the book.
The final four of “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.) includes jazz singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., the band Poplyfe and two unusual dance groups, Silhouettes and Team illuminate. Vote on their final performances tonight to see who wins the $1 million prize and Vegas gig Wednesday.
“It’s Worth What?” (NBC, 9 p.m.) reaches a season finale.
In a typically incisive report, “Frontline” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), looks behind one of last year’s most emotional issues, the proposed building of a Muslim community center in lower Manhattan, in the days immediately the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Many assumptions about the issue are exploded and “The Man Behind the Mosque” ends with a quite humane exchange between two people of opposite minds on the project.
Later, on “P.O.V.” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the earth Liberation Front” looks at Daniel McGowan, the activist who fought tree-cutting with fire, literally.
For those who may have been too busy watching the “Bachelor Pad” finale Monday and missed it, the “Miss Universe Pageant” (E!, 8 p.m.) is rerun on cable. I won’t tell you who won.
“Boardwalk Empire: The Money Decade” (HBO, 9:45 p.m.) looks at the Prohibition and Roaring 20s era that gave rise to the era in which the returning HBO series is set.
“Dr. Phil” (check local listings) starts its new season with the first of a two part interview with the parents of Casey Anthony.
On a new “Teen Mom” (MTV, 10 p.m.), Catelynn finally finishes high school.
“Sons of Anarchy” (FX, 10 p.m.) scored a record number of viewers for the network in its premiere last week. Bet a lot of them will come back for tonight’s second episode of the season.
A fight breaks out between two contestants on “Top Shot” (History, 10 p.m.). Someone unarm them first.
Sixteenth birthday to be celebrated on “Awkward” (MTV, 11:30 p.m.).
Wouldn’t mind having “Billy the Exterminator” (A&E, 10 p.m.) stop by and get a quote. Except for that mullet.
The month-long Tuesday night salute to Kirk Douglas on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Young Man with a Horn” (8 p.m.), “Ace in the Hole” (10 p.m.), “The Bad and the Beautiful” (midnight), “The Big Sky” (2:15 a.m.) and “The Big Trees” (4:45 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Diane Sawyer. The View: Dick Cheney, Lynne heney, Kristin Chenoweth. The Talk: Stevie Nicks, Molly Shannon. Ellen DeGeneres: David Arquette, U.S. Air Force band Sidewinder. Wendy Williams: Commo, Dina Lohan.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Julianna Margulies, Joe Wong, Lady Antebellum (rerun). Jay Leno: Ellen DeGeneres, Bob Harper, Cobra Starship. Jimmy Kimmel: Judge Judy Seheindlin, Emily VanCamp, Givers. Jimmy Fallon: Will Arnett, Richard Branson, Girls, John Pizzarelli. Craig Ferguson: James Woods, Kathryn Hahn. Tavis Smiley: Michelle Rhee. Carson Daly: Lykke Li, Grace Potter, School of Seven Bells (rerun). Jon Stewart: Jim Lehrer. Stephen Colbert: Al Gore. Conan O’Brien: Roseanne Barr, Paul “DJ Pauly D” Delvecchio, Baron Vaughn. Chelsea Handler: Nick Swardson, Jo Koy, Joe Matarese, Heather McDonald.