First there were the “Doomsday Preppers” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.), paranoid people preparing for the worst; that led to the spinoff “Doomsday Preppers Bugged Out” (National Geographic, 8 p.m.). Now there’s a whole series about a doomsday family who are preparing because they think the end of days are imminent due to an electro-magnetic pulse.
National Geographic doesn’t talk sense to the patriarch who gathers his kids to help build his super bunker; they send camera crews. Hence, “Doomsday Castle” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.), which looks like it will play like an endless “Preppers” episode with a medieval structure of cinder block meant to evoke “Game of Thrones.” The crazy dad starts off testing his kids by inviting 20 marauders to invade, scaring them with guns and gas.
Another spinoff series starting tonight is “Tickle” (Discovery, 10 p.m.), following the progress of “Moonshiners” cast member Tickle.
It’s followed by “Porter Ridge” (Discovery, 10:30 p.m.), about a backwoods beardo community in Indiana who raise bears, organize demolition derbies and play with guns and dynamite. It’s from the producers of “Duck Dynasty,” hence the preponderance of long grey beards.
But if it’s anything like the returning “Amish Mafia” (Discovery, 9 p.m.), it may be a wholly fictional construct.
The latest documentary on women’s sports from ESPN, “Runner” (ESPN, 8 p.m.) concerns the struggles of distance runner Mary Decker.
Zooey Deschanel discovers her Quaker roots on a new “Who Do You Think You Are?” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
A new season starts for one of the most entertaining reality competitions on TV, the sci-fi makeup contest “Face Off” (Syfy, 9 p.m.). This season’s competition pits eight newcomers against eight past contestants, ready to give it another run.
Linda Ellerbee’s latest news special for kids, “Family Secrrets: Kids Caught in Domestic Violence” (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.), looks at issues few other shows do.
The new “Heroes of Cosplay” (Syfy, 10:30 p.m.) follows people who like doing costume play (or cosplay) at Comic-Con style events. First off is a wizard convention in Portland.
It’s a big moment on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.) as the Top 10 (who are all guaranteed employment on the upcoming tour) are paired with all-stars on the run to the finale.
A 49-year old man tries to drop half of his 417 pounds on “Extreme Weight Loss” (ABC, 8 p.m.). It won’t happen quickly; in fact, it will take two hours.
It’s possible that every pawn shop in America is featured on its own reality series. The latest, “Cash Dome Pawn” (truTV, 9:30 p.m.) features a Miami shop.
Twelve more acts perform on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Annie goes to Vienna on “Covert Affairs” (USA, 9 p.m.).
Documentaries about the treatment of young people are featured on public TV all night, starting with a replay of the special “After Newtown: Guns in America” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), “Fixing Juvie Justice” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) and the replay of a “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) on the exploitation of high school football players.
That new Larry David movie is on again: “Clear History” (HBO, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Joe Manganiello, Keri Russell, Carrie Underwood, Rebecca Romijn. The View: Char Margolis, John Edwards. The Talk: Lisa Kudrow, Carnie Wilson. Ellen DeGeneres: David Spade, the Lumineers (rerun). Wendy Williams: Ciara, Teresa Giudice (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Matt Damon, Hanni El Khatib (rerun). Jay Leno: Katy Perry, Cris Collinsworth, Kacey Musgraves (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Josh Duhamel, Adam Perry Lang, Luke Bryan. Jimmy Fallon: Charles Barkley, Allison Williams, Clive Davis, Justin Timberlake (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Kat Dennings, Philip Kerr (rerun). Carson Daly: Anthony Jeselnik, Royal Teeth (rerun). Tavis Smiley: India.Arie (rerun). John Oliver: Joshua Oppenheimer. Stephen Colbert: Rep. John Lewis. Conan O’Brien: Liam Hemsworth, Chloe Grace Moretz, J. Cole. Chelsea Handler: Luke Bryan, Ben Gleib, Claire Titelman, Jo Koy.