Cooking competitions all have basically the same ingredients. What sets one apart from the other? For “Master Chef” (Fox, 8 p.m.), the amateur competition that returns for a fourth season, it’s about quick cutting, personal stories and the judges.
Gordon Ramsay is never so nice as when he’s confronting cooks on this show. He’s flaked by Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliott in assessing the signature dishes of the 100 candidates brought to L.A. I still don’t like how they stick commercials in just before many decisions are made, but at least they do have time to throw other emotional things in, such as a wedding proposal.
Season finales come for two of ABC’s returning comedies: “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.) with Axl and Brick graduating, and “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.) with a trip to Florida.
Mark Hammill guest stars on the two hour eighth season finale of “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The tour of Juliette and Rayna is finally over on “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.) and so is their first season (it’ll be back in the fall).
Pablo Schreiber and Lauren Ambrose guest star in the season finale of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.). Also ending its first season is “Chicago Fire” (NBC, 10 p.m.). Not only will it be back next season, it’ll come with a spin-off.
The painter shares his skills on “James Rosenquist: A YoungArts Masterclass” (HBO2, 6:30 p.m.).
The title “Devoured: Man-Eating Super Snake Returns” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.) may be confusing, but the special is about a python, not a hungry man.
Designing robots is the task on “The Big Brain Theory: Pure Genius” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
Robert Duvall gets the spotlight on Turner Classic Movies tonight with his roles in “The Natural” (8 p.m.), “The Outfit” (10:30 p.m.), “True Confessions” (12:30 a.m.), “Countdown” (2:30 a.m.) and “The Rain People” (4:15 a.m.).Tonight’s Elvis movie is a documentary: the 1981 “This is Elvis” (E!, 8 p.m.).
If you missed it Monday, the documentary “Inside Out: The People’s Art Project” (HBO2, 8 p.m.), about an ambitious worldwide project by the street artist JR, shows the power of people taking the art into their own hands.
An obscure rocker who became a hit on the other side of the world, without him ever knowing, gets a happy ending on the documentary “Searching for Sugar Man” (Starz, 7:30 p.m.). It’s not to be confused with “Candyman: Day of the Dead” (Flix, 8 p.m.).
The NBA Playoffs have Indiana at Miami (TNT, 8:30 p.m.). In the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s Pittsburgh at Ottawa (NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.). In baseball, Yankees at Baltimore (ESPN, 7 p.m.) gets a national audience.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Morgan Freeman, Angie Miller. The View: John Malkovich, cast of “Matilda.” The Talk: Patricia Heaton, Art Smith. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Aniston, Portia de Rossi, Ludacris. Wendy Williams: Bret Michaels.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Woody Harrelson, Tommy Johnagin, John Fogerty with Dawes. Jay Leno: Vin Diesel, Jeff Foxworthy, the Lone Bellow. Jimmy Kimmel: Alyssa Milano, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Darius Rucker. Jimmy Fallon: Dana Carvey, Elisabeth Moss, Bobby McFerrin. Craig Ferguson: Stephen Fry. Carson Daly: Tom Brokaw, Kevin Russ, the Coup. Tavis Smiley: Eve Ensler. Jon Stewart: Bill O’Reilly. Stephen Colbert: The National. Conan O’Brien: Jesse Eisenberg, J.J. Abrams, 30 Seconds to Mars. Chelsea Handler: Zach Galifianakis, Moshe Kasher, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Josh Wolf.