Immediately after the wrap-up of one of the best dramas of the spring, “Top of the Lake,” Sundance continues its string of high quality TV with “Rectify” (Sundance, 10 p.m.).
Aden Young stars as a taciturn young man who is released after spending nearly 20 years on Death Row for a crime he didn’t commit. It turns out that his family has mixed feelings about his release; and some people in the Southern town are determined to put him back in jail.
The distinguished cast includes Abigail Spencer, j. Smith Cameron and Janet Talbot. Ray McKinnon is the creator; a couple of “Breaking Bad” producers are also involved. Get on board quickly; the series has only six episodes — two of them are tonight.
Lily Tomlin co-produced as well as narrates the humane documentary, “An Apology to Elephants” (HBO, 7 p.m.). The hourlong film by Amy Schatz looks at the ridiculous things pachyderms are forced to do in circuses and the cruelty applied to make them do it. Boycotting circuses and, in some cases, zoos, seems like a small thing to ask to save the imposing animals.
Global warming is not just a theory to the young president of the Maldives. If ocean levels rise as they have, there is a good chance much of the 1,200 islands making up the Maldives will sink. He pleads his case at international climate gatherings, but the achievement of Mohamed Nasheed; he also brought democracy to a nation that had been under an iron dictatorship for decades. Jon Shenk’s film “The Island President” makes its premiere on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
What was once a series of specials is now a series as “Brain Games” (National Geographic Channel, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) begins its run, again chllenging viewers to pay attention to what’s on the screen, only to show them how much they missed, The slight of hand artist Apollo Robbins is only part of the trickery hosted by Jason Silva.
The second season begins for “Oh, Sit” (The CW, 8 p.m.), the disappointing game show said to be based on musical chairs, but with a closer kinship to “Wipeout.” Jamie Kennedy and Jessi Cruikshank don’t exactly elevate the circumstances.
The second episode of “Defiance” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) comes after a replay of the premiere at 7.
Battle rounds continue on another two hour episode of “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
There’s already one comic gone with the ouster of D.L. Hughley on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.); next up Andy Dick?
One of the most enigmatic Presidential Wives was Mary Todd Lincoln, who gets the spotlight tonight on “First Ladies: Influence & Image” (CSpan, 9 p.m.).
A new season starts for Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” (Food Network, 10 p.m.).
A night highlighting film preservation and restoration on Turner Classic Movies means a crisp, commercial free, 70th anniversary blu-ray restoration of “The Wizard of Oz” (8 p.m.) followed by the restored Technicolor of “Leave Her to Heaven” (10 p.m. ), the silent “Wings” (12:15 a.m.), “Wild Boys of the Road” (3 a.m.) and “Lilly Turner” (4:15 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Pierce Brosnan, Jake Johnson, Janelle Arthur. The View: Matthew McConaughey, Mary Mary. The Talk: Scott Baio, Lucinda Scala Quinn. Ellen DeGeneres: Jane Lynch, Kenny Chesney.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Lochte, Steve Earle. Jay Leno: Diane Keaton, Trevor Moore, Jake Bugg. Jimmy Kimmel: Dennis Quaid, Abigail Spencer, Portugal, The Man. Jimmy Fallon: January Jones, Adam Ferrara, Ilan Hall. Craig Ferguson: Kat Dennings, Philip Kerr. Carson Daly: Angel Haze, Sirah, Big Black Delta, Grape St. (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Giancarlo Esposito. Jon Stewart: Christina Hendricks. Stephen Colbert: Michael Pollan. Conan O’Brien: Ryan Gosling, Kevin Hart, ZZ Ward (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Paloma Faith, Chris Franjola, Thomas Dale, Morgan Murphy.