With the greater adherence to DVRS that zip past ads and now Dish developing a device that will automatically hop over them, the pressure is on Madison Avenue to create the kind of commercials people will want to see.
More than 50 of the best of them from around the globe are collected on “The CLIOS: World’s Best Commercials” (NBC, 8 p.m.), an hour of programming that isn’t commercial free, it’s commercial filled. Some of the spots from abroad feature U.S. stars who didn’t think they’d be seen back home, including Jason Bateman, Kevin Bacon, Will Arnett, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. JB Smoove hosts.
The opening ceremony isn’t until Friday but the 2012 Summer Olympics begin in London women’s soccer games this morning, with Great Britain vs. New Zealand (MSNBC, 10:30 a.m.) and U.S. vs. France (NBC Sports Network, 11:30 a.m.).
But there’s some Olympic fanfare on BBC America as well with its documentary special about the last time the games were in London, “Going for Gold – The ’48 Games” (BBC America, 8 p.m.) followed by a new “Absolutely Fabulous” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) in which Patsy and Edna rent out their place to visitors and try to crash top parties.
With the naming of the four who survived this week’s dozen performers Tuesday, the full Top 24 is unveiled on the results show for “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.), the show from which Sharon Osbourne said Tuesday she is quitting.
After dominating the choreography category last week when Emmy nominations were named, “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.) choreographers go back to work, creating work for the Top 16, who will be cut to 14 tonight.
For those who haven’t seen them all on his late night show, or run endlessly later on YouTube, “Jimmy Fallon’s Primetime Music Special” (NBC, 10 p.m.) collects those remarkable bits in which he channels vintage Neil Young, sometimes alongside people like Bruce Springsteen. he also sings with Justin Timberlake, Carly Rae Jepsen and Paul McCartney.
The new series “WakeBrothers” (MTV, 11 p.m.) follows the antics of wakeboard pros Phil and Bob Soven, who have different approaches to life.
The routine drama provided by employers of the “Beverly Hills Nannies” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) can sometimes be anything but routine.
Big doings lately on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.), with Willie expelled and all. Head of household Frank nominated JoJo and Shane last time and tonight is the power of veto competition.
“Top Chef Masters” (Bravo 10 p.m.) returns for its fourth season with new judges, including food and travel journlist Krista Simmons and Gilt Taste editor Frances Lam joining the returning James Oseland and Ruth Reich. And because they begin the series on the Las Vegas strip, there are no shortage of celebrity guests this season, from The B-52s to Dita Von Teese, with Sugar Ray Leonard, the Indigo Girls, Brian Boitano and Holly Madison. Curtis Stone hosts.
Alternately, there’s always “What Happens in Vegas” (FX, 8 and 10 p.m.).
The fortunes of Zandi’s Grill in Millersville, Md., are aided when it’s visited by “Restaurant: Impossible” (Food, 10 p.m.).
“Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America” (Travel, 9 p.m.) goes to the upper Midwest for tastings in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Jesse Metcalfe’s character Christopher is approached by an oilman seeking to buy the rights to a new technology to extract methane on “Dallas” (TNT, 10 p.m.). I’ll stop short of a methane joke.
Hank heads into the city and meets a Russian translator on a new “Royal Pains” (USA, 9 p.m.).
The subconscious is probed in a new “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman” (Science, 10 p.m.).
The strangely fascinating “Virgin Diaries” (TLC, 10 p.m.) returns with a new batch of sweet, awkward adult first timers.
The MLS Soccer All-Star Game (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.) takes place in Chester, Penn.
In baseball, Dodgers at Cardinals (ESPN, 7 p.m.) gets a national audience.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Zach Galifianakis, John Rich, Joel McHale. The View: Jessica Alba, Pistol Annies. The Talk: Melissa Joan Hart, Gunnar Peterson, Gladys Knight. Ellen DeGeneres: Mario Lopez (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jonah Hill, Dr.Leonard Girardi, Milo Greene. Jay Leno: Jessica Biel, Kevin Smith, the Lumineers. Jimmy Kimmel: Colin Farrell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Trey Songz. Jimmy Fallon: Zach Galifianakis, Gina Gerson, Wilco. Craig Ferguson: Matthew McConaughey, Brian Scolaro. Tavis Smiley: Carole King (rerun). Carson Daly: Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin, Lucy Walker, Fool’s Gold (rerun). Jon Stewart: Joseph Stiglitz. Conan O’Brien: Kate Beckinsale, Doug Fine, Tennis. Chelsea Handler: Garla Gugino, Dan Maurio, Loni Love, Josh Wolf.