Don’t know why audiences haven’t taken to “The River” (ABC, 9 p.m.). I found it to be a pretty compelling little thriller, with commentary on modern television, about a wife (Leslie Hope) and a film crew who go out and find the missing host of a popular naturalist show in the Amazon.
Using the mix of footage and shaky camera approach of “Paranormal Activity” made it both effective and different than everything else on network TV. The eighth and final episode of its first season includes the death of a crew member. Prospects of a second season are as unclear as the whereabouts of the missing naturalist.
“Make it or Break It” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) has its second season finale at the world competition. It comes just after the first season finale for “Switched at Birth” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.), which is more or less the teenage version of “Ringer”(The CW, 9 p.m.).
Also ending its fourth season, with the precinct in flux, is “Southland” (TNT, 10 p.m.). And the sketch comedy show “Key and Peele” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) closes its first season.
The fate of 54 delegates are determined in the Illinois Republican Primary Results (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, 7 p.m.).
The struggling sitcom “I Hate My Teenage Daughter” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.) is in its last showings. It will disappear from the schedule altogether when “Glee” returns April 8 rather than being moved to Wednesdays, the network announced last week. Leftover episodes will then be burned off in the summer.
They’re saying the fashions from the premiere episode of “Fashion Star” (NBC, 10 p.m.) all sold out in participating stores last week. Infomercials and shopping channels are like that.
A new season starts for “The Little Couple” (TLC, 10 p.m.), moving beyond last season’s miscarriage to consider adoption.
The history of American whaling is repeated on “American Experience” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
Jess dates one of her students’ father, played by Dermot Mulroney, in the first of a two-part “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Firefighters face off on “Chopped” (Food, 10 p.m.).
Another bad taste routine is rehearsed on “Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), in which the little girls dress as homeless people.
Jamie Lee Curtis returns to “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.) as a Gibbs love interest.
Contestants may be tempted when “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.) visits Hawaii. But only if they love poi. They also get a visit from Bethany Hamilton, the armless surfer whose story is told in the movie “Soul Surfer” (Starz, 5 p.m.).
Juju Chang investigates ESP in identical twins on “Beyond Belief” (OWN, 10 p.m.).
For some reason, “Air Force One” (Starz, 6:50 p.m.; TMC, 8 p.m.) is on two different channels tonight.
Wonder if the “Lucky Muckers” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.) are any happier than the “Doomsday Preppers”(National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.).
Cartoonist Jules Feiffer is guest programmer on Turner Classic Movies tonight and picks some good ones: “Gold Diggers of 1933” (8 p.m.), “My Man Godfrey” (10 p.m.), “They Drive by Night” (11:45 p.m.), “This Gun for Hire” (1:30 a.m.), “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” (3 a.m.) and “Movie Crazy” (4:30 a.m.). But none of the movies he wrote, including “Litle Murders,” “Carnal Knowledge” and “Popeye.”
In hockey, it’s Coyotes at Stars (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Sharks at Kings (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
In lieu of men’s NCAA action, there are a pair of NIT quarterfinals; Massachusetts at Drexel (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Oregon at Washington (ESPN, 9 p.m.), and some games in the women’s tournament: Georgetown vs. Georgia Tech (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Florida vs. Baylor (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Vanderbilt vs. Duke (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.) and Kansas vs. Delaware (ESPNU, 9:40 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Elizabeth Hurley, Ewan McGregor, Christina Ricci, Carla Gugino, Dana Carvey. The View: Dr. Drew Pinsky, Katharine McPhee, Michael Corbett, Kris Jenner (rerun). The Talk: Cote de Pablo, Sara Leibowitz. Ellen DeGeneres: Armie Hammer, Kevin Nealon, Birdy.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jennifer Lawrence, Gail Collins, the Shins. Jay Leno: Ron Paul, Frank Caliendo, the Wanted. Jimmy Kimmel: Kristen Bell, Ice Cube, Kiss. Jimmy Fallon: Jon Hamm, Rachael Harris, Marcus Foster, Melanie Fiona. Craig Ferguson: Kathy Bates, Brad Goreski. Tavis Smiley: Meat Loaf. Carson Daly: Kimbra, Tennis, Gary Clark Jr., Kendrick Lamar. Jon Stewart: Rachel Weisz (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Audra McDonald (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Schirripa, Sharon Van Etten. Chelsea Handler: Adrien Brody, Ross Mathews, April Richardson, Lavell Crawford.