Filmmaker Debbie Lum was always fascinated with the number of white American men who preferred Asian women. Then again, her own husband was white. But when she started to look into the story she found a perfect candidate in 60-year-old Steven who has connected with a number of interested Asian women and now one is coming to the U.S. to be with him.
Her role as filmmaker begins to change as she becomes a translator between the two and a marriage counselor to boot. But it only makes the resulting film, “Seeking Asian Female” that much more interesting. It makes its debut tonight on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
At the time, it sounded like the worst public relations event imaginable: A bunch of journalists stuck in an aircraft bent on flying to seven countries in seven days, with Rihanna, who was doing seven concerts. Because of bad planning, they got little sleep and didn’t get to eat much, some journalists went stir crazy and they never got to meet the star for very long. All the negative parts have been edited out of the event, leaving just about 40 minutes of a special, “Rihanna 777” (Fox, 8 p.m.), trying to make good of a trip that was more out of 666.
It’s much more indulgent than a Mother’s Day card, and if you’re Cher you can get away with it: Making a whole movie about how great your mom is. Well, first she let you run away with Sonny as a teen. But Georgia Holt may be interesting to get to know on her own in “Dear Mom, Love Cher” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
There are lots of shows about couples meeting and leading to marriage, but “Newlyweds: The First Year” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) is a new series that follows four couples after the big day to see how they do in the first 12 months. Bob Eubanks is nowhere in sight.
Francis Garcia and Sal Basile, owners of a pizza chain themselves, seek out other noteworthy pies in the new series “Pizza Cuz” (Cooking, 9 p.m.). First stop is in Portland, Ore., at Apizza Scholls.
Daniel is still not adjusting to freedom on “Rectify” (Sundance, 10 p.m.) and the news media is not helping.
In the second of four hour-long episodes that will end the series, Cathy signs her husband up for a dating service on “The Big C: Hereafter” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
For the first time this season, the performances are live on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.). They will reduce the Top 16 to a Top 12 that will be revealed on Wednesday, the third episode of the show this week.
Piers Morgan guest stars on “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 9 p.m.). I’m not sure this is good news for either party.
Andy Dick was kicked off of “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.) last week. So you may want to can watching. Down to the top six, each couple has to dance twice to fill the two hours.
Here’s something funny: Actual tapes of sex therapy sessions acted out by puppets on the new series “Felt” (Logo, 12:30 a.m.).
A whistleblower is killed by a government drone on a new “Castle” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
How much do you know about Julia Grant? She was the First Lady in the Ulysses S. Grant administration and is featured on tonight’s “First Ladies: Influence & Image” (CSPAN, 9 p.m.).
Robert Osborne does the picking tonight on Turner Classic Movies. His choices: “The Shopworn Angel” (8 p.m.), “Boom Town” (9:30 p.m.), “That’s Entertainment!” (11:45 p.m), “Gentleman Jim” (2:15 a.m.) and “Montana” (4:15 a.m.).
Hockey playoffs today include Boston at Toronto (NHL, 7 p.m.), Washington at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and St. Louis at Los Angeles (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
In the NBA it’s Chicago at Miami (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Golden State at San Antonio (TNT, 9:30 p.m.).
Monday night baseball has Atlanta at Cincinnati (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Kerry Washington, Psy, Amber Holcomb. The View: Sonia Sotomayor, Jim Gaffigan, Mary McCartney. The Talk: Nick Cannon, Chi-Lan Lieu, Carnie Wilson. Ellen DeGeneres: Matt Lauer, Max Greenfield.
Late Talk
David Letterman: John Krasinski, Kerry Washington, James Blake. Jay Leno: Magic Johnson, Savannah Guthrie, Fall Out Boy. Jimmy Kimmel: Rod Stewart, Edie Falco. Jimmy Fallon: Steve Martin, Jenna Fischer, Edie Brickell. Craig Ferguson: Isla Fisher, Jim Rash. Carson Daly: Amy Schumer, David Peterson, Gold Fields. Tavis Smiley: Robert Reich, Jim Wallis. Jon Stewart” Christiane Amanpour. Stephen Colbert: Robert Caro. Conan O’Brien: Keith Urban, Guillermo Diaz, Jay Larson. Chelsea Hunter: Kat Dennings, Brad Wollack, Annie Lederman, Kurt Braunohler.