The CW only wishes it had a series that could take over the popular imagination such that it inspires millions, for good or bad. Instead, they make a new show about this idea, “Cult” (The CW, 9 p.m.) and make it so needlessly murky they want you to think something mysterious is happening at its cult.
Like “Lost,” producers hope, viewers will wonder so much how things are going that they’ll keep tuning in. But the producers’ stories are so tangled that nobody will be able to easily figure out what’s going on, which is essentially a reporter trying to find out what happened to his brother, who got obsessive about this TV show also called “Cult” which stars Robert Knepper, from the old “Prison Break,” just about the only redeeming thing about the show. It’s so muddled I can’t imagine enough people will tune into make it its own cult, let alone last more than a season.
“Body of Proof” (ABC, 10 p.m.) has made it to a third season, but to do so they’ve retooled the show as a kind of breezy character drama, with the addition of Mark Valley, the square jawed actor who has been in so many TV shows. Here he plays a detective who has had a past with the medical examiner played by the show star Dana Delany. Sounds a little desperate.
He sent the best girl home last night ad the crazy girl the week before that. Now he has to explain it all on “The Bachelor: Sean Tells All” (ABC, 9 p.m.)
A new “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.) profiles female UFC star Ronda Rousey, who won the first U.S. Olympic medal in Judo, whose mother was also a Judo champ. Also: the storyof a squash star who defied the Taliban to play the women’s game in Pakistan and a return visit with Gareth Thomas, the first major sports star to come out as gay in the most macho of sports, rugby, and is now on a celebrity skating show in the U.K.
Luke Perry guest stars on a new “Raising Hope” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Greg Germann guest stars on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.). And Seth Rogan pops up on “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
Edgy, deadpan Anthony Jeselnik is the latest comedian to score his own show with “The Jeselnik Offensive” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.). Aziz Ansari and Amy Schumer pop up on his premiere, in which he makes fun of the news and celebrities of the week.
Shania’s new impersonation on “The New Normal” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.) is that of Maggie Smith.
Odd to be starting a night otherwise dedicated to the Newtown shootings to an “American Experience” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) on Billy the Kid.
They’re fighting over parking on “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
A flashback episodes means some funny hairdos on “Cougar Town” (TBS, 10 p.m.).
A bail jumper comes back for revenge on Raylan on a new “Justified” (FX, 10 p.m.).
They’re dodging hippos in Zambia on “Dual Survival” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
“Doomsday Preppers” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) in Alaska and Hawaii are profiled.
You’ll feel less bad about the pope leaving after you see his lapses in the recent documentary “Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God” (HBO, 11 p.m.).
Insects are the inspiration on “Face Off” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
Here’s a reality show competition we don’t need: the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne vs. the Israelis on a show called “Ultimate Soldier Challenge” (History, 10 p.m.).
A rowdy Hollywood star is in town to shoot a new movie on “Vegas” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Tom and Julia have to work with a new collaborator on “Smash” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Not to be confused with “Buckwild” is “Wild Appalachia” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) and “Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) for that matter.
All in all, I’d rather hang out with “Nikki & Sara” (MTV, 11 p.m.) than “Snooki & JWoww” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
A religious movement built around martyrdom is examined on “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.).
The bones of Toronto are exposed in “Strip the City” (Science, 10 p.m.).
He’s a comic, but he’s hired a band to back him: “Tim Minchin and the Heritage Orchestra: Live at the Royal Albert Hall” (Showtime, 11 p.m.).
Never a good idea when a boyfriend visits “The Bad Girls Club” (Oxygen, 8 p.m.).
Naomi Campbell’s team is already imploding on “The Face” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.).
Contestants must make the perfect sandwich on “The Taste” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Indiana at Michigan State (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Florida State at North Carolina State (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), LSU at Tennessee (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Virginia at Miami (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Florida at Missouri (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Virginia Commonwealth at Saint Louis (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Sharks at Blues (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies turns to the Oscar winning and nominated films from Paramount, starting with two silent films from the 1920s, “The Racket” (8 p.m.) and “Wings” (9:30 p.m.), the first Best Picture Oscar Winner, followed by the talkies “The Love Parade” (midnight), “The Smiling Lieutenant” (2 a.m.), “A Farewell to Arms” (4 a.m.) and “Second Chorus” (5:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Howie Mandel, Gary Allan. The View: Joan & Melissa Rivers, Clive Davis, Brandi Glanville. The Talk: Jackie Collins, Drew Carey, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Dennis Quaid, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jenni “JWoww” Farley.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Michelle Williams, Chris O’Donnell. Jay Leno: Robin Wright, Bonnie Raitt. Jimmy Kimmel: Anthony Edwards, Mike Piazza. Jimmy Fallon: David Spade, Cecily Strong, Atlas Genius. Carson Daly: Jai Courtney, Killian Martin & Brett Novak, Delta Rae. Tavis Smiley: Taj Mahal, Lloyd Price. Jon Stewart: Alison Brie. Stephen Colbert: Emily Bazelon. Conan O’Brien: Andy Samberg, Josh Hopkins, Lisa Loeb. Chelsea Handler: Chris Franjola, J.C. Coccoli, Jo Koy.