Even more compelling than the season starting “Who Shot J.R.?” resolution, this season’s handling of the death of Larry Hagman, the actor who played J.R. in the original and revived versions of “Dallas” (TNT, 9 p.m.) will be a good reason to tune in.
Even without that poignant death underscoring the action, the newly revived series had much more on the ball than most such nostalgia retoolings, deftly mixing characters from the past with a whole new generation feuding about oil rights and environmental concerns, with all manner of revenge and sexual intrigue. How they handle the Hagman death will add extra resonance to the proceedings.
What actually goes on in Texas can be further out than fiction, though, as when the state Board of Education started dictating what they wanted in textbooks, something that has the potential to affect the nation since the Lone Star State market is so big, publishers would cater whole press runs to them. Bad enough that “intelligent design” to be included in science texts; when they got to social studies and history, they were putting in Phyllis Shafley and taking out Jefferson. A documentary on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) keeps a close eye on what they’re up to.
The fifth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (Logo, 9 p.m.) begins with contestants whose stage names include Penny Tration, Jinkx Monsoon, Honey Mahogany, Coco Montrese, Ivy Winters and Roxxxy Andrews.
On a new edition of “Nick News with Linda Ellerbee” (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.), blind children talk about their lives and challenges.
The pole-dancing classes on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) has nothing to do with traditional Polish traditions.
What better venue than a roller derby rink for the remaining women to get out their aggressions on one another on “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
As dismissive as I was over the needlessly gory new series “The Following” (Fox, 9 p.m.), it pains me to say it gets much better in subsequent episodes such as tonight. This may really have a chance to be a compelling thriller after all.
The kid participants on “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.) are just phoning it in by now.
It will be a while before someone portraying Andy Warhol visits “The Carrie Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.), but the 80s show already has the young Carrie Bradshaw visiting a performance by Annie Sprinkle.
On the new “Built” (Style, 9 p.m.), male models do renovation projects, probably with their shirts off. It’s led off by a new season of “Jerseylicious” (Style, 8 p.m.).
Did enough people watch the Screen Actors Guild Awards to warrant a “2013 SAG Awards Fashion Wrap” (TV Guide, 8 and 9 p.m.) and “Fashion Police: The 2013 SAG Awards” (E!, 10 and 11 p.m.)? Apparently so.
A new interview with Cissy Houston on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN, 10 p.m.) is preceded by a two hour “Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Interview” (OWN, 8 p.m.) with footage cleaned rom her 2009 interview with the singer.
Anthony Bourdain goes to New Orleans on “The Layover” (Travel, 9 p.m.). Hotel Impossible” (Travel, 10 p.m.) concerns a property on Cape May, N.J.
“Shipwreck Men” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) go after things they can salvage after Hurricane Isaac.
Swashbuckling gets its night on Turner Classic Movies with “The Mark of Zorro” (8 p.m.), “Adventures of Don Juan” (10 p.m.), “Cyrano de Bergerac” (midnigit), “Riders of the Seven Seas” (2 a.m.) and “At Swords’s Point” (3:45 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops tonight includes Pittsburgh at Louisville (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Alabama State vs. Texas Southern (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), South Florida vs. Marquette (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Kansas at West Virginia (ESPN,9 p.m.). In women’s basketball, it’s Notre Dame at Tennessee (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Seth MacFarlane, Linda Gray. The View: Seth MacFarlane, Mary J. Blige, Angela Bassett, Melissa Joan Hart. The Talk: Wendie Malick, James Brown, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Ellen DeGeneres: Sean Hayes, Jillian Michaels.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Melissa McCarthy, David Morrissey, David Byrne & St.Vincent. Jay Leno: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Donny Deutsch, Lady Antebellum. Jimmy Kimmel: Jude Law, J.B. Smoove, Gavin DeGraw. Jimmy Fallon: Brian Williams, Max Greenfield, Eric Burdon. Craig Ferguson: Kathy Griffin, Michael Weatherly. Carson Daly: Rich Eisen, Divine Fits. Tavis Smiley: Sen. Bernie Sanders, David Magee. Jon Stewart: Bob Costas. Stephen Colbert: Michael Shellenberger. Conan O’Brien: Emmy Rossum, Dave Franco, Los Straitjackets. Chelsea Handler: Allison Williams, Trevor Noah, Heather McDonald, Brad Wollack.