The brainiest competition on ESPN begins its telecast, with a lot of kids asking about pronunciation, place of origin and use in a sentence.
The 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee (ESPN, 2 and 8 p.m.) televises its semifinal rounds this afternoon and for those who don’t hear the dreaded bell, the championship finals for the 86th annual bee tonight.
The contest began at National Harbor, Md., with 281 spellers Wednesday aged 8 to 14 and ended the day with just 42. For the first time knowledge of vocabuary is part of the compeitition. The official announcer is Dr. Jacques Bailly.
Richard Schickel’s new documentary, “Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story” (TCM, 8 and 11:15 p.m.) explores the squinty eye of the actor who went behind the camera for some of his best movie work. It’s a follow-up of sorts to Schickel’s earlier “The Eastwood Factor,” which focused on his acting. It’s accompanied with examples of his directoral work with “White Hunter, Black Heart” (TCM, 9:15 p.m.) and “Bird” (12:30 a.m.), with Forest Whitaker as Charlie Parker.
The second episode of “Does Someone Have to Go?” (Fox, 9 p.m.) is supposed to wrap up the story of the Illinois firm that has to lose one person. It’s rather nasty business. Better to have businesses settle their score through “Wipeout” (ABC, 8 p.m.) which tonight pits bosses vs. employees.
The season finale of “Mike & Molly” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) was postponed two weeks ago because it had a storyline with a tornado. Coming on so close to the Oklahoma City storm, it was pulled. But it’s on tonight, the day after the tornado telethon (indicating the storm isn’t exactly out of the public memory).
“Renovation Raiders” (HGTV, 9 p.m.) does “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” one better; instead of going to Disney World, the family getting a renovation only has to go out to dinner.
Would you believe I was on Tom Brokaw Boulevard in South Dakota earlier this week? I say that only to mention the return of “The Brokaw Files” (Military Channel, 10 p.m.).
Also back tonight on cable is a fourth season of “Beyond Scared Straight” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
Catch all your favorite Canadian action tonight with back-to-back newly imported episodes of “Motive” (ABC, 9 p.m.) and “Rookie Blue” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Will gets an MRI on “Hannibal” (NBC, 10 p.m.) from John Benjamin Hickey of “The Big C.”
The protagonist can only be embarrassed when he attends his first college party on “Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous” (MTV, 10:30 p.m.).
Already Bob Dylan has appeared on “Pawn Stars” (History, 9 p.m.). Tonight, it’s Roger Daltrey of The Who, who leads a Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp attended by Rick.
Gordon Ramsay blinds the remaining seven contestants on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) for a taste test.
Duck hunters complicate the end of gator season on “Swamp People” (History, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Steven Tyler, the Wanted. The View: Tim Gunn, Robert DeNiro (rerun). The Talk: Nick Cannon, Soleil Moon Frye, Sondra Peluce Londy, Chi-Lan Lieu, Carnie Wilson. Ellen DeGeneres: Steve Carell, Justin Flom, Ariana Grande, Mac Miller.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Stupid Pet Tricks, Tobey Maguire, Tom Odell (rerun). Jay Leno: Ben Kingsley, Larry the Cable Guy, the Band Perry (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Jason & Jarron Collins, J.J. Abrams, Huey Lewis & the News (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, George Lois, Icona Pop, Too $hort (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Jeff Garlin, Anne Heche. Carson Daly: Rich Eisen, Divine Fits (Rerun). Tavis Smiley: Rita Moreno (rerun). Jon Stewart: Phil Jackson (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Cyndi Lauper (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Magic Johnson, Thandie Newton, Langhorne Slim & the Law (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Jack Huston, Bobby Lee, Arden Myrin, Matt Braunger.