In what might be the one of the last new network shows of the fall season to premiere, “Emily Owens, M.D.” (The CW, 9 p.m.) stars Mamie Gummer as a surgical intern at a Denver hospital. When it rises above its cliches, it’s due to the pluck and freshness of the star, the daughter of Meryl Streep, who acquits herself better as a doctor than she did on the short-lived “Off the Map.” But can she carry an entire series?It’s certainly a more credible tale than that of the lead in, “Hart of Dixie” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
The biggest things on TV this fall aren’t the new shows or the returning hits. It’s been the political debates. This may be because they’re on a dozen networks simultaneously, but also because Americans really want to see how these things that will be discussed endlessly will play out. CNN’s Candy Crowley moderates tonight’s second Presidential Debate (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CSPAN, CNBC, 9 p.m.) from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
A time of disdain for the 1 percent is perhaps not the time to fete the 19th century robber barons in the series “The Men Who Built America” (History, 9 p.m.). The likes of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Morgan and Ford are feted by an increasingly off-putting array of modern moguls, including Danny Deutch, Jim Cramer, Donald Trump, and Jack Welch, who fails to question the stats here for some reason.
The latest documentary in the “30 for 30” series on ESPN, “There’s No Place Like Home” (ESPN, 8 p.m.) concerns a University of Kansas basketball fans who tries to raise money to buy a copy of the original rules drawn up by inventor James Naismith, who coached and taught at Kansas for nearly four decades.
The summer replacement show from Canada, the cop saga “Flashpoint” (Ion, 11 p.m.) marks its debut on cable tonight, presenting its new season.
“Covert Affairs” (USA, 10 p.m.) is back after a month-long hiatus.
At this point, anybody could go home on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.), but Kirstie Alley and Bristol Palin continue to post the lowest judges’ scores. Donny Osmond and Susan Boyle perform before the elimination
If the battle rounds proceed at the rate of last night’s episode of “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), you’ll see only three performances.
The latest episode of “Animal Intervention” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.) looks in on an Ohio woman who houses 20 domestic cats, several dogs, a pack of wolves, over 15 tigers, a dozen or so lions, almost ten cougars, a black bear, and fish.
Running a beauty parlor in the Windy City must require a lot of hairspray, a question that may or not be addressed in the return of the series “Chicagolicious” (Style, 10 p.m.).
The plans for the assault on Osama bin Laden are discussed on “Secrets of…” (Military, 10 p.m.).
The month long survey of how disabilities have been depicted in film continues with “Eyes in the Night” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “23 Paces to Baker Street” (TCM, 9:30 p.m.), “Johnny Belinda” (TCM, 11:30 p.m.), “The Miracle Worker” (TCM, 1:30 a.m.) and “Wait Until Dark” (TCM, 3:30 a.m.).
Kelly & Michael: Ben Stiller, Gavin DeGraw. Katie Couric: Tyra Banks, Lolo Jones, Jennifer Livingston. The View: Hayden Panettiere, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren. The Talk: Annie Potts, Brett Hoebell, Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello. Ellen DeGeneres: Emma Watson, Kym Douglas, D.L. Hughley, the Wallflowers.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Steve Martin, Gotye (rerun). Jay Leno: Christina Aguilera, Sherri Shepherd, the Piano Guys (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Don Rickles, Miguel. Jimmy Fallon: Jerry Seinfeld, Anthony Anderson, Zach Cregger, Jesse Bradford, Two Door Cinema Club (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Lauren Graham, James Patterson, Michael Kiwanuka. Carson Daly: Chuck Zito, Rian Johnson, Estelle (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Peter Dreier. Jon Stewart: Eugene Jarecki. Stephen Colbert: Cory Booker. Conan O’Brien: Kate Walsh, Steven Yeun, Ty Segall. Chelsea Handler: Fergie, Chris Franjola, Sarah Colonna, Jo Koy.