People are just now paying attention to “Episodes” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.) the wicked sendup of the American TV industry and what they do to British imports. There are still a lot of sore feelings as season two starts, owing to the fallout of things that happened in season one.
It accompanies the unjustly maligned, long lasting “Weeds” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), which begins its final season by trying to get some answers about the last thing in the cliffhanger: A shot rings out in bucolic Old Sandwich, Conn., and somebody goes down.
As much as a splash that “Sherlock” brought to “Masterpiece Mystery” (CBS, 9 p.m.) in recent seasons, the whole franchise has been more dependent on Inspector Morse. A half dozen years after his death, he’s still reverberating; his sidekick Inspector Lewis has his own series of stylish mysteries set in Oxford (the newest one of which starts next week). And tonight an elaborate prequel of the detective inspector, from the first days on the job in 1965 makes up the new “Endeavor,” which is also his first name.
Shaun Evans plays the early Morse like a smart, nervous college dropout who is nonetheless much better than the older detectives in sorting out the murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
It’s a satisfying feature-length tale worth your attention A tribute to the late Whitney Houston is sure to be part of “The BET Awards ’12” (BET, 8 p.m.). Other honorees include Al Sharpton and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. D’Angelo, Chris Brown, Usher, Nicki Minaj and Big Sean are scheduled to perform at the event live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Samuel L. Jackson hosts. The red carpet, at 6, is nearly as long as the event. And then there’s an afterparty at 11:30 p.m.
Stage 1 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.) begins.
If your not all jubileed-out, another series praising the 60 years on the thrown of England’s Queen Elizabeth is celebrated on the four part series “Queen & Country” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings). Trevor McDonald hoses the series, mostly talking to distinguished historians and royal scholars.
For “Ron White’s Comedy Salute to the Troops 2012” (CMT, 9 p.m.), the comedian travels all the way to …Nashville. John Pinette, Kathleen Madigan, Jake Johannsen and Mike Wilmost entertain.
The U.S. Olympic Trials are the perfect variation of the Olympics: It jumps the gun a month and features only Americans! Tonight are track and field (NBC, 7 p.m.) swimming trials (NBC, 8 p.m.) and women’s gymnastics (NBC, 9 p.m.).
After all that ambition and great journalism of episode one of “The Newsroom” (HBO, 10 p.m.), things start to fall apart a bit as they decide what kind of newscast they really want to be. Plus the details of the breakup of the anchot and his producer.
It’s off in a ditch for one of the “Ice Road Truckers” (History, 9 p.m.).
Pam tries to be a good maker on “True Blood” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
Oprah interviews members of the championship Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN, 8 p.m.).
Nettie doesn’t like it when her sister Mellie takes a job at a strip club on “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Rep. Paul Ryan, Vicki Kennedy. CBS: Rep. John Boehner, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Tom Coburn, Govs. Scott Walker and Martin O’Malley. NBC: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Gov. Howard Dean. CNN: Lewi, Gov. John Hickenlooper, Carly Fiorina,former Gov. Jennifer Grandholm. Fox News: Lew, Sen. Mitch McConnell.