What would seem to be yet another CBS crime procedural is different already when you realize that its star, Theo James, played the dashing Turkish diplomat who died in the bed of Lady Mary in “Downton Abbey.”
Already “Golden Boy” (CBS, 10 p.m.) is more interesting, right? Also, it comes in part from Greg Berlanti, who knows how to put a TV show together and co-stars Chi McBride, who may not have been better as the homicide detective who has been paired with the rising New York star.
Amid the weekly procedural drama, with a witness per act as usual, there are all kinds of time jumping bits, back to the rookie tragedy that made him cited as a hero, to his promotion to homicide to seven years in the future when he is the youngest police commissioner in city history. It’s likely that they’ll find stories in each period of history as it flashes back and forth. While it poses as a serialized drama, it’s not; and while it’s no network version of “The Wire,” at least it has a more interesting than the usual special cop fare of “The Mentalist.”
It’s gratifying somehow to see Kate Gosselin laid so low she has to participate in “Celebrity Wife Swap” (ABC, 8 p.m.) which is returning for just three episodes. She’s swapping with Kendra WIlkinson, who as a diver in the upcoming “Splash,” is apparently ABC’s go-to former Playboy/E! reality star. Mostly I want to see how the “Plus Eight” are growing up.
The most unusual active travel host is Kevin Michael Connolly who was born with no legs, but skateboards happily from one destination challenge to the next, riding very low to the ground. Or so the new “Armed & Ready” (Travel, 10 p.m.) would have you believe. Move over “Push Girls,” you’ve met your active match, as Connolly first travels to the Great Smokey Mountains to go learn lumberjack skills.
The new cast of “Dancing with the Stars” will be announced during today’s “Good Morning America” (ABC, 7 p.m.). Because it’s, you know, news.
Seth Rogen makes a star turn as an ex-boyfriend on “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.). Steve Howey of “Shameless” shows up on “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“My Name is Earl” stars Jaime Pressly and Ethan Suplee reunite with Jason Lee in one of two episodes of “Raising Hope” (Fox, 8 p.m.); Hilary Duff is featured in a second.
Ducky and Jimmy lose their way on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Robot fights: that’s what we’re coming to. The new “Robot Combat League” (Syfy, 10 p.m.) proves it.
Nine contestants remain on “The Taste” (ABC, 9 p.m.), which is bumped to a lter hour.
Looks like “Cult” (The CW, 9 p.m.) won’t be a cult hit anytime soon. Its premiere last week drew fewer than 1 million viewers.
Ratings for “Smash” (NBC, 10 p.m.) aren’t so great either. They’re spending an estimated $2 million an episode, and just 3.3 million tuned in last week. It’s still not a terrible show, though.
Repeat customers aren’t likely to make Patti Stanger’s stock go up on “The Millionaire Matchmaker” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Creating alien werewolves is the challenge for the effects makeup artists on “Face Off” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
Predators in schools is the focus of “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.).
The cast of “Pretty Little Liars” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.) are on the cover of Entertainment Weekly this week. Seems a little odd doesn’t it?
Didn’t hear enough about it at the Oscars (which were produced by the same producers as the musical?). Here’s the full “Chicago” (Style, 8 p.m.).
Oscars are over but the 31 Days of Oscars continues at Turner Classic Movies, where they showcase the early Academy Award winners and nominees from the Samuel Goldwyn Company, “Dodsworth” (8 p.m.), “The Best Years of Our Lives” (10 p.m.), “Guys and Dolls” (1 a.m.) and “The North Star” (4:15 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops tonight includes Indiana at Minnesota (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Memphis at Xavier (ESPN2, 7 pm.), Auburn at Alabama (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Florida at Tennessee (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Wake Forest at Florida State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Among women, it’s Syracuse at Notre Dame (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.) and Georgetown at DePaul (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Scarlett Johansson, Megan Hilty. The View: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kate Gosselin, Brook Shields. The Talk: Joe Manganiello, Tim Love. Ellen DeGeneres: Randy Jackson, Cameron Mathison.
Late Night
David Letterman: Joan Rivers, Jimmie Johnson, Kendrick Lamar. Jay Leno: Colin Farrell, Joey King, Boz Scaggs. Jimmy Kimmel: Terrence Howard, cast of “Duck Dynasty.” Jimmy Fallon: Donald Trump, Rebecca Hall, Jon Glaser, Tyler the Creator. Craig Ferguson: Sharon Osbourne, Matthew Lillard. Carson Daly: Eli Roth, Alexander Spit, Family of the Year. Tavis Smiley: Gavin Newsom. Jon Stewart: Lori Silverbush & Kristi Jacobson. Stephen Colbert: Dr. Michio Kaku. Conan O’Brien: Kevin Nealon, Nicholas Hoult. Chelsea Handler: Jordana Brewster, Greg Fitzsimmons, Sarah Colonna, Ross Mathews.