The Western is alive and well, judging from ratings of last week’s “Hatfields & McCoys,” which beat most everything on TV. Seems just the right time, then, to introduce “Longmire” (A&E, 10 p.m.), an agreeable enough adaptation of Crag Johnson’s Walter Longmire novels, starring an Aussie actor who reminds you of one old Hollywood star, Gary Cooper, though he has the name of another, Robert Taylor.
Set in Wyoming, it might as well be on horseback, but it’s contemporary, with a beat up pickup and no cell. Katee Sackoff is welcomed as his sarcastic deputy. Lou Diamond Phillips has the thankless role of Native American pal – a Tonto for today.
It accompanies the season return of “The Glades” (A&E, 9 p.m.).
“Game of Thrones” (HBO, 9 p.m.) ends its season too soon, just as the Blackwater battle has ended. How will it all sort out once the smoke has cleared? How will the various threads be resolved (for now)? And where are those darn dragons?
Russell Brand returns to host The 2012 MTV Movie Awards (MTV, 9 p.m.), the ceremony that honors popular films than actually good ones. But everyone is usually in high spirits anyway. Johnny Depp will be presented a Generation Award from two guys from Aerosmith. Emma Stone will receive the first MTV Traillazer award and the Black Keys will play.
Just as exciting to some will be glimpses at the upcoming “The Dark Knight Rises” and the telecast of the first Obama campaign ad.
It’s preceded by the “2012 MTV Movie Awards Punk’d Pre Party” (MTV, 8 p.m.) and followed by the second season start for “Teen Wolf” (MTV, 11 p.m.).
If it’s music you want, though, “Adele Live in London” (NBC, 8 p.m.) gets a network broadcast/
“Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” (ABC, 9 p.m.) doesn’t fix folks’ houses; it fixes folks big as houses. It’s a “Biggest Loser” one week at a time charting a year’s weight loss in one episode.
Also back is “Secret Millionaire” (ABC, 8 p.m.) in which various members of th 1 percent scatter crumbs.
A couple of big things happened on “Mad Men” (AMC, 10 p.m.) last week. People take so long to catch up to this show, I dare not say what they were.
“The Killing” (AMC, 9 p.m.) is reaching a fever pitch as well.
It’s Fashion Week on “Food Network Star” (Food, 9 p.m.).
Trump’s pageant, in his “Celebrity Apprentice” time slot, is the Miss USA Pageant (NBC, 9 p.m.) Hosting from Las Vegas are Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic.
The only new scripted show on network TV tonight is “NYC22” (CBS, 10 p.m.), which they’ve already canceled.
“Nurse Jackie” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) was picked up for a new season this week, with a new showrunner – the guy form “Dexter.”
“Ice Road Truckers” (History, 9 p.m.) returns for its sixth season.
Kim Kardashian really wears out her welcome by appearing on the season return of “Drop Dead Diva” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), on the pre-show “Punk’d” (MTV, 8 p.m.) and of course her own “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (E!, 10 p.m.).
Bill Hader has the summer off from “Saturday Night Live.” But he appears tonight on “TCM Essentials Jr.” a collection of important films kids should also see. First up is “12 Angry Men” (TCM, 8 p.m.), followed by another film featuring E.G. Marshall: “The Caine Mutiny” (10 p.m.).
In the NBA playoffs, it’s Heat at Celtics (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Yankees at Detroit (TBS, 1 p.m.) and Cardinals at Mets (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Obama campaign adviser Stephanie Cutter, Romney senior adviser Eric Fehrnstrom. CBS: Obama campaign strategist DavidAxelrod, Republican chair Reince Priebus, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, former Gov. Ed Rendell. NBC: Govs. Deval Patrick and John Kasich. CNN: Gov. Bob McDonnell, Sens. Mark Warner and Dick Lugar. Fox News: Romney adviser Ed Gillespie, Steve Rattner.