There’s a reason humans love their pets so. In some instances the unconditional love of the animals can be lifesaving.
Such are the stories covered on the new series “Saved” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.) in which pets play a large role of pulling humans out of their funk. It tells of a hound who helped a woman kick her heroin addiction; a dachshund who saved the life of a kidney patient, just by being around, and in tonight’s initial episode, a puppy that gave a soldier his last moments of happiness in Iraq.
Bravo specializes in challenging alpha personalities who have to nail down tasks within the confines of a single show. After house flippers, millionaire matchmakers and high powered real estate people, how there’s “The Headhuntress” (Bravo. 10 p.m.) which follows the demanding Wendy Doulton as she finds the right clients for top level jobs and then coaches them so they can land the job. Amid the browbeating and insults, there may also be some hints for the many jobhunters out there (such as: keep the resume to one page).
But so far Doulton hasn’t quite landed the job either – this is only a special, not yet a series. It follows a new episode of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
It’s down to the final four on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and — should we be surprised? — none of them – J.R. Martinez, Ricki Lake, Rob Kardashian or Hope Solo — are what you would actually call stars.
Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White and The Candlestick finally have a show to show off their skills (or guilt) in a murder mystery series based on the age old board game, “Clue” (The Hub, 8 p.m.) .
Various background vocalists, hopeful performers, video stars and managers populate “Love & Hip Hop” (VH1, 9 p.m.), back for its second season. It’s a series that is supposed to do for the rap world what is done to the NBA by “Basketball Wives” (VH1, 8 p.m.), closing up the season for its L.A. variation tonight.
Not looking forward to the James Brown/Jackson 5/Beyonce medley that kicks off R&B night for the five remaining groups on “The Sing Off” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband astronaut Mark Kelly break their silence following her near fatal shooting earlier this year to speak about her recovery to Diane Sawyer on an “A Special Edition of 20/20: Gabby and Mark: Courage and Hope” (ABC, 10 p.m.). She must have a book coming out (yes: Tuesday).
Elsewhere, Bob Costas reports on the Penn State fallout and Annie Leibowitz is profiled on tonight’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams” (NBC, 10 p.m.). No report is expected from its newest announced correspondent, Chelsea Clinton.
“Gossip Girl” (The CW, 8 p.m.) goes to the opera and still none of them will silence their phones.
On “Invitation Only: Blake Shelton” (CMT, 11 p.m.), the country singer performs and takes questions, but probably not about his role as judge on “The Voice.”
An old pal from her therapy retreat (played by Robin Wright) comes to visit Amy and upends her world even more on “Enlightened” (HBO, 9:30 p.m.).
Isn’t it nice that Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen have been reunited on their second HBO comedy series? This time it’s on “Bored to Death” (HBO, 9 p.m.). On tonight’s episode, Casey Wilson, lately of the network comedy “Happy Endings,” guest stars as Jonathan’s ex girlfriend.
If you didn’t see last night’s episodes of “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO, 10 p.m.) or “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.) both are at the top of their game, replayed tonight and are worth seeing.
The reunion of this season’s “Bad Girls Club” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.) comes to a conclusion. Part one repeats at 8 in case you missed any salient insult or violent outburst.
Marlene Dietrich stars in “The Blue Angel” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “Shanghai Express” (TCM, 10 p.m.). Then it’s Ursula Andress in “She” (TCM, 11:30 p.m.).
On Monday Night Football (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) it’s Minnesota at Green Bay.
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Jimmy Fallon, Don Rickles. The View: Diane Sawyer, Dr. Travis Stork. The Talk: Poppy Montgomery, Anne Starbuck, Debi Mazar. Ellen DeGeneres: Lauren Graham. Wendy Williams: Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. Rosie O’Donnell: Rachael Ray, Chaz Bono.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jason Segel, Jamie Oliver, the Kooks. Jay Leno: Amy Adams, Rocket City Rednecks, Miranda Lambert. Jimmy Kimmel: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Miss Piggy, the Belle Brigade. Jimmy Fallon: Jane Lynch, Ron Howard, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. Craig Ferguson: Poppy Montgomery, Charlie Higson, Lauren Graham. Tavis Smiley: Ellen Barkin, Bob Knowling. Carson Daly: Mike White, Seven Grand Whiskey Society, Biffy Slyro (rerun). Jon Stewart: Leymah Gbowee. Stephen Colbert: Thomas Thwaites. Conan O’Brien: LL Cool J, Greyson MacLean, Christian Finnegan. Chelsea Handler: Kristen Dunst, Greg Proops, Arden Myrin, Ross Mathews.