Those carefully-cast and practically-scripted reality shows are sometimes called “docu-series.”
Which is an insult to actual docudramas as developed by filmmaker Lionel Rogosin in the late 50s.
His documentary work, influenced by Italian realism and gets a rare showcase tonight on Turner Classic Movies with his “On the Bowery” (8 p.m. and 2:45 a.m.), pictured here, as well as the South African porrait “Come Back, Africa” (9:15 p.m. and 4 a.m.) as well as a 2007 film about how it was made “An American in Sophiatown” (11 p.m.). Rounding out the Rogosin work are “Black Roots” (midnight) and “Good Times, Wonderful Times” (1:15 a.m.).
The Top 10 have been decided and will perform head to head for the first time on a live two hour “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.). But there’s room for one more on the “Idol” tour, so the 11th and 12th highest vote-getters from the 10 eliminated last week will return to compete to get the slot.
After promising to do so for weeks, Brandon Hanz goes all crazy tonight on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.), dumping the rice and calling out Philip Sheppard. It escalates so much, Jeff Probst calls an emergency tribal council while still at a challenge.
“Jim Rome: On Showtime” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) returns for a new season and there’s a lot in the sports world to catch up on.
I’m thinking “Under Siege: America’s Northern Border” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) likely overstates the Homeland Security threats of Windsor, Ontario, across the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit.
There’s a song-filled episode of “The Neighbors” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), but it’s the only new episode of a comedy on ABC all night. “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.) is also a rerun.
It’s the same for all the other network dramas tonight. But there is a new “Whitney” (NBC, 8 p.m.) with Dean Norris of “Breaking Bad” guest starring.
The star of “The Rachel Zoe Project” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) styles the pop group Karmin, while her former assistant gets somebody a little more famous on “It’s a Brad, Brad World” (Bravo, 10 p.m.), model Petra Nemcova.
Later, Melissa McCarthy is looking for vintage from the duo at “Dukes of Melrose” (Bravo, 10:30 p.m.).
Gerald McRaney returns on “Southland” (TNT, 10 p.m.).
Phillip spies an ex on “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.).
The guys help some college students shooting a film about Bigfoot on “Psych” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Uncle Si thinks he sees a black panther on “Duck Dynasty” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
It’s Tennessee Williams all day on TCM with “A Streetcar Named Desire” (6:15 a.m.), “Baby Doll” (8:30 a.m.), “Suddenly, Last Summer” (10:30 a.m.), “The Fugitive Kind” (12:30 p.m.), “Sweet Bird of Youth” (2:45 p.m.) and “The Night of the Iguana” (5 p.m.).
NBA action includes Jazz at Thunder (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Knicks at Nuggets (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Flyers at Devils (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
In the last Big East tournament before the conference breaks up, it’s Cincinnati vs. Providence (ESPN, noon), Seton Hall vs. Syracuse (ESPN, 2 p.m.), St. John’s vs. Villanova (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Rutgers vs. Notre Dame (ESPN2, 9 p.m.). Other men’s college basketball games today include Air Force at UNLV (CBS Sports, 3 p.m.), Fresno State vs. Colorado State (CBS Sorts, 5:30 p.m.), Lafayette at Bucknell (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), New Mexico vs. Wyoming (CBS Sports, 9:30 p.m.) and Boise State vs. San Diego State (CBS Sports, midnight).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ian Somerhalder, Abigail Breslin. The View: Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, Camila Alves McConaughey, Paloma Faith. The Talk: Valerie Harper, Michael Bolton, Anna David. Ellen DeGeneres: Halle Berry.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jim Carrey, Richard Thompson. Jay Leno: Jerry Seinfeld, Mark Cuban, Jose James. Jimmy Kimmel: Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Couric, Tegan and Sara (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin, Justin Timberlake. Craig Ferguson: Olivia Wilde, Windell Middlebrooks. Carson Daly: Todd Ray, Niki & the Dove (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Snoop Lion. Jon Stewart: R.J. Cutler (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Brendan O’Connell (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Halle Berry, Ben Hoffman, Aimee Mann. Chelsea Handler: Elisabeth Moss, Dan Levy, Sarah Colonna, Gary Valentine.