When they used to play on Saturday nights, Syfy’s gleeful slate of cheap B-movies from “Frankenfish,” “Sharktopus” and “Shark Swarm,” they were largely ignored.
But when the ticklingly schlocky “Sharknado” (Syfy, 7 p.m.) debuted this summer, it caused a wave on Twitter, even if that didn’t translate to ratings. Even so it led to a lot more attention for the newest title, “Ghost Shark” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
In a story literally adapted from a 7-year-old’s idea (in the manner of “Axe Cop”), the saga has a couple of kids led by Mackenzie Rosman of “7th Heaven” trying to find out what is causing the shark ghost to appear in any kind of water, from oceans to lakes to pools to kitchen sinks.
Richard Moll, pictured, plays the old man whose secret is unveiled, “Scooby-Doo” style. You half expect him to say “And I would have gotten away from it, if it weren’t for those darned kids!”).
It’s from the director of “Swamp Shark” and “Arachnoquake” and shouldn’t be confused with the somewhat more serious “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samauri” (Sundance, 8 p.m.).
When it comes to schlocky shows that are easy to Tweet, you can’t go wrong with first person reality tales from “My Teen is Pregnant and So Am I” (Discovery Fit & Health, 8 p.m.) to “I Survived a Serial Killer” (E!, 9 p.m.).
Minnie Driver, Max Greenfield, Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, Kal Penn and Keenan Thompson all play on “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 10 p.m.). Greenfield can also be seen in a rerun of “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
ABC is the only network to field new programming all night, but it does so with the dim “Wipeout” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and two Canadian imports, “Motive” (ABC, 9 p.m.) and “Rookie Blue” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
I’ve never heard of a network repeating a reality show that has just concluded the way NBC is doing with “The Winner Is…” (NBC, 8 and 9 p.m.). Oh well, I guess if nobody watched the first time around maybe they can fool some people to watch a second time.
The two new scripted series tonight are on cable, with fresh episodes of “Burn Notice” (USA, 9 p.m.) and “Graceland” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Camping is involved somehow on a new “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.). Alison Williams is guest judge.
Ready for the back to school crowd, the true crime reality special “Co-Ed Nightmares” (E!, 10 p.m.).
Those who still think women can’t be funny may be convinced by a rerun of the special “The Women of SNL” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
Kristen Schaal is on a new episode of “Wilfred” (FX, 10 p.m.) in which there’s a new dog love interest.
Imaginary friends overcrowd “Childrens Hospital” (Cartoon Network, midnight).
Movies tonight include “The Deer Hunter” (Showtime 2, 8 p.m.), the Keira Knightley “Pride & Prejudice” (Oxygen, 6 and 9 p.m.) “Airplane!” (HBO Family, 9 p.m.) and that recent Larry David movie, “Clear History” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
There’s no “Downton Abbey” in sight but there are 11 movies featuring Maggie Smith on Turner Classic Movies today with “The V.I.P.S” (6 a.m.), “The Pumpkin Eater” (8:15 a.m.), “Young Cassidy” (10:30 a.m.), “Othello” (12:30 p.m.), “The Honey Pot” (3:30 p.m.), “Travels with My Aunt” (6 p.m.), “Nowhere to Go” (8 p.m.), “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (9:45 p.m.), “Love and Pain and the Whole Damned Thing” (midnight), “Clash of the Titans” (2 a.m.) and “California Suite” (4 a.m.).
It’s Carolina at Baltimore (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in more NFL preseason action.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Emma Stone, David Spade (rerun). The View: Bruce Willis, Giuliana & Bill Rancic, Gabrielle Reece (rerun). The Talk: Ted Danson, Dr. Ian Smith (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Colin Farrell, Steve Spangler (rerun). Wendy Williams: Patricia Heaton, Val Chmerkovskiy, Kelly Monaco (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Serena Williams, Sean Donnelly, MGMT. Jay Leno: Kristin Chenoweth, Josh Gad (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Jason Sudeikis, Amber Heard, Mayer Hawthorne (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Ryan Reynolds, Bob Saget, Fall Out Boy, Michael Winslow (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Margaret Cho, Hugh Dancy (rerun). Carson Daly: Greta Gerwig, Molly Crabapple, Pierce the Veil (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Johnny Galecki, Robert Randolph (rerun). John Oliver: Neal Thompson (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Robin Thicke (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Ed Helms, Alice Eve, cast of “Workaholics” (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Chris Franjola, Sarah Colonna, Nico Santos.