What could be a worse sitcom than last week’s tired Tim Allen vehicle, “Last Man Standing”? ABC answers with the new “Man Up!” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), another new sitcom with the same questionable premise – men, especially white men, have it so hard these days.
It involves three guys who are all losing ground as men no matter their station in life: husband, grown slacker or incurable lovesick, starring people who are not household names: Mather Zickel, Dan Fogler and Christopher Moynihan. Not good.
As much a showcase for upcoming films as it is for movies of the past year, the “Scream Awards 2011” (Spike, 9 p.m.) loves to set itself apart from other awards shows, with flashy staging and a surprising array of stars. Nicolas Cage, Pee Wee Herman and Robert Downey Jr., are among the honorees for the event taped Saturday; the final “Harry Potter” does well among the fan-voted honorees. And Darth Vader delivers an acceptance speech.
Something else that may want you to scream: The second Republican Presidential Debate (CNN, 8 p.m.) in as many weeks. The Western Republican Leadership Conference is co-sponsoring the event in Las Vegas that will feature seven of the eight major candidates (Jon Huntsman will be sitting out). The remaining candidates are expected to gang up on the unexpected current frontrunner, Herman Cain. Anderson Cooper moderates.
President Obama’s immigration policies are examined on a new “Frontline” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). The number of deportations has hit a record level since he’s been in office, for example.
Judges make their decision on which half of the 32 acts will remain in “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Live performances begin on Nov. 2. The two hour episode means there’s no “New Girl” tonight.
“Sons of Anarchy” (FX, 10 p.m.) has just been picked up for a fifth season. It may be time for more viewers to pick up on it, too.
A new sports documentary “Charismatic” (ESPN, 8 p.m.) looks at the Triple Crown hopeful from 1999 who won the Kentucky Derby with the longest odds in 60 years.
The struggles of Liberian women to end the four year civil war there that ended in 2003 is the subject of the second installment of “Women, War & Peace” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Carson Kressley has been the worst dancer for the last couple of weeks on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.). But he may not be eliminated tonight, because nobody knows exactly who Rob Kardashian is or why he’s on this show.
Oh yeah, his sister recently had a four hour special on her wedding. Accordingly, the wedding episode of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” (A&E, 9 p.m.) lasts two hours.
“Flashpoint” (ION, 10 p.m.), the Canadian cop show import that had been showing on CBS the past couple of summers, is back with new episodes on the network that usually just shows reruns of “Criminal Minds” (ION, 8 and 9 p.m.).
Cee-Lo Green may be the first client in the new studio that opened on “Parenthood” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
The earliest cited screening this season for “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (CMT, 8 p.m.) certainly beats the rush. But it’s better than the “Johnson Family Vacation” (BET, 8 p.m.).
Having scored big ratings with “The Walking Dead” Sunday, AMC is soaking itself in gore all month. Tonight, with “Diary of the Dead” (AMC, 8 p.m.). The splatter is everywhere though with the triple play of “Saw II” (Syfy, 7 p.m.) and “Saw III” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) and “Saw IV” (Syfy, 11:30 p.m.).
Jerry West is profiled on a new “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
The monthlong Tuesday night salute to Nicholas Ray on Turner Classic Movies continues with more of his movies: “Bigger Than Life” (8 p.m.), “The True Story of Jesse James” (9:45 p.m.), “Wind Across the Everglades” (11:30 p.m.), “Bitter Victory” (1:15 a.m.), “Hot Blood” (2:15 a.m.) and “Knockout” (4:45 a.m.).
In hockey, it’s Penguins at Wild (Versus, 7:30 p.m.). In college football, it’s Florida International at Arkansas State (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Kevin Spacey. The View: Patricia Heaton, T.I.. The Talk: George Eads, Susie Essman. Ellen DeGeneres: Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez. Wendy Williams: Bill & Giuliana Rancic, Ralph Macchio. Rosie O’Donnell: Fran Drescher, Cheryl Hines.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Seth Rogen, Poppy Montgomery, Fleet Foes (rerun). Jay Leno: Charlie Sheen, Kevin Hart, LMFAO (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Dana Delany, Erin Andrews, Kelly Rowland (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Tom Selleck, Cameron Crowe, Pearl Jam (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Carey Mulligan, Paula Poundstone. Tavis Smiley: Antonio Banderas. Carson Daly: Kurt Sutter, Laura Marling (rerun). Jon Stewart: Calvin Trillin. Stephen Colbert: Steven Pinker. Conan O’Brien: Jose Andres, Tommy Johnagin. Chelsea Handler: Orlando Blooom, Josh Wolf, Jo Koy, Arden Myrin.