One of the better episodes each season on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) is the ones where loved ones come visit and maybe help compete in a challenge. The whole of the new season — it’s 27th — is based on this, with returning players playing opposite loved ones.
That means some players who have been on a few times before, including Rupert Boneham, Tina Wesson and Monica Culpepper, but also some terrible people who should never be given another chance, such as Colton Cumbie. And even when such people are voted out, they still might return thanks to the Redemption Island, an idea which itself has been redeemed. Host Jeff Probst can devote his full attention this time; his daytime talk show has been canceled.
The “Survivor” premiere comes on the same night as the finale of “Big Brother” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.), the summer-long exile that is now down to Andy, GinaMarie and Spencer. There are good reasons for any of them not to win but the jury has to pick one anyway.
A winner is also named from the final six on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.). Will it be a singer, a dancer, an operatic troupe or a comedian?
It will take another night for a winner to be named on “Million Second Quiz” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Fox has been premiering new shows all week, but tonight, it’s a two hour third episode of “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.). When it premiered last week, it was the smallest audience yet for the show that was boasting that it would eclipse “American Idol.”
The best reality of the night, though, is the latest segment of “Earthflight” on “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m.), this time among birds flying over Venice, Italy.
Marcos will do whatever Tate tells him to do in order to try to save his son on “The Bridge” (10 p.m.).
The endgame is narrowing, too, on “Broadchurch” (BBC America, 10 p.m.), which has kept more of its narrative direction.
The second of the three part “Brains on Trial with Alan Alda” (PBS, 10 p.m.) is broadcast.
“Key & Peele” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) begins its second season, using its popular Obama Anger Interpreter bit.
Time to find a new Honey Boo Boo? A new season of “Toddlers & Tiaras” (TLC, 8 p.m.) begins.
Robots likely made “Rise of the Machines” (CNBC, 9 p.m.), a documentary about how robots are taking over everything.
“Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans” (Velocity, 10 p.m.), the miniseries starring the “Grey’s Anatomy” star, concludes the way he wanted it, competing in the 24 Hour Le Mans in France.
“Tyler Perry’ s For Better or Worse” (OWN, 9 p.m.) begins its third season on a new network. But is Oprah’s network better or worse than TBS?
Mario Lanza is the star on Turner Classic Movies tonight with the musicals “The Seven Hills of Rome” (8 p.m.), “For the First Time” (10 p.m.), “The Great Caruso” (midnight), “The Student Prince” (2 a.m.) and “Because You’re Mine” (4 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mike Tyson, “Science Bob” Pflugfelder. The View: Hugh Jackman, Jacob Velasquez, Ana Ortiz. The Talk: Kathy Griffin, Jeff Probst, Aisha Tyler. Ellen DeGeneres: Gwyneth Paltrow, Patrick Wilson, Josh Groban. Wendy Williams: Jenny McCarthy.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bryan Cranston, Amanda Seyfried, Michael Franti & Spearhead (rerun). Jay Leno: Christina Aguilera, Joy Behar, Valerie June. Jimmy Kimmel: Aaron Paul, Hannah Ware, Jim James. Jimmy Fallon: Chris Hemsworth, Tony Danza, Jack Johnson. Craig Ferguson: Megan Mullarlly, Tommy Lasorda. Carson Daly: Zach Braff, Neil Gaiman, METZ (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Laura Dern. Jon Stewart: Hugh Jackman. Stephen Colbert: Nicholson Baker. W. Kamau Bell: Michelle Buteau. Conan O’Brien: Seth Green, Lizza Caplan, Sammy Obeid. Chelsea Handler: Anna Faris, Dan Levy, Whitney Cummings, Julian McCullough.