The 25th season for “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) starts in the Philippines with a cast that includes at least a few familiar faces among the 18 castaways.
Among them is Lisa Whelchel, who played Blair on “The Facts of Life” decades ago, National League MVP Jeff Kent of the Giants and three former contestants whose games were cut short by medical evacuations – Jonathan Penner, Michael Skupin and Russell Swan. Plus there are a couple of beauty queens, a former Miss Delaware and a former Miss Utah Teen.
And returning to host, as he has each season is a guy who spends his afternoons on a new daytime talk show, “Jeff Probst” (syndicated, check local listings).
The 90-minute season premiere for “Survivor” precedes the network’s other big reality show moment, the 90-minute finale of a better than usual season of “Big Brother” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.). For the second half of the summer, returning winner Dan Gheesling controlling the action and consistently lying to one of the other finalists, Danielle Murphree. The third one left in the game is brainy student Ian Terry. Seven ousted houseguests in the jury will decide who gets the $500,000 prize, second place gets $50,000. And home viewers will determine a $25,000 fan favorite.
The reality show that’s been doing the best these past weeks is “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), even opposite Simon Cowell and Britney Spears on “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Both shows continue their audition processes.
In the season finale for “Royal Pains” (USA, 9 p.m.), Hank examines his own life while treating a volleyball player.
A second season starts for “South Beach Tow” (truTV, 9:30 p.m.), produced in part by Jennifer Lopez. It makes a logical partner with “Operation Repo” (truTV 10 p.m.) , which follows.
The nation’s long ties to alcohol are chronicled in the new three part series “How Booze Built America” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) hosted by Mike Rowe.
A mystery guest is part of the competition on “Top Chef Masters” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Miss Georgia seems a bit put off by the six-year-old pageant participant on tonight’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (TLC, 10 pm.).
The variation on “The Challenge: Battle of the Season” (MTV, 10 p.m.) has them pairing former “Real World” roommates from different seasons for the competition.
Wonder why there’s a show called “American Hoggers” (A&E, 10 p.m.) but not one called “American Bloggers.”
That Mitt Romney tape might even make “The Soup” (E!, 10 p.m.).
The month-long Wednesday night showcase of Lauren Bacall movies on Turner Classic Movies continues with “How to Marry a Millionaire” (8 p.m.), “The Cobweb” (9:45 p.m.), “Blood Alley” (midnight), “Written on the Wind” (2 a.m.) and “Designing Woman” (3:45 a.m.).
It’s Oakland at Detroit (ESPN, 7 p.m.) in baseball.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Maya Rudolph, Elizabeth Olsen, Neon Trees. Katie Couric: Wendy Williams. The View: Pink, Patti Mallette, T.I. The Talk: Michael Skupkin, Jonathan Penner, Russell Swan, Lisa Whelchel. Ellen DeGeneres: Michael J. Fox, L.A. Reid, PSY.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Michael Strahan, Arthur Meyer, Band of Horses. Jay Leno: Amy Poehler, Joe Scarborough, Big & Rich. Jimmy Kimmel: Julie Bowen, Nate Parker, Afghan Whigs. Jimmy Fallon: Maya Rudolph, Dave Annable, Elmo, the Avett Brothers. Craig Ferguson: Sophia Bush. Tavis Smiley: Tony Danza. Carson Daly: James Van Der Beek, Mike D, Kasabian (rerun). Jon Stewart: Pink. Stephen Colbert: Itzhak Perlman. Conan O’Brien: Simon Helberg, Anna Kendrick, Delta Rae. Chelsea Handler: Melissa Etheridge, James Davis, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Mo Mandel.