He’s not locked in a box or hanging from a chain, but he is hosting a 90 minute sweeps month magic special. So “David Blaine: Real or Magic” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.) includes the involvement of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul of “Breaking Bad” as well as celebrities from Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, Will Smith and Jamie Foxx to Katy Perry and Kanye West to George W. Bush.
Bush, who has been so reclusive since the end of his presidency is also a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC, 11:35 p.m.). He of course is also the main target of Michael Moore’s “Farenheit 9/11” (TMC, 8 p.m.).
Two new series are added to the roster at the Esquire Netowkr. In “White Collar Brawlers” (Esquire, 10 p.m.), white collar businessmen are encouraged to take their differences to the ring, but there are weeks of training first. And the more conventional “Risky Listing” (Esquire, 9 p.m.) looks at commercial real estate in Manhattan, at a time when they should probably be looking at Brooklyn. It’s got the usual array of cocky, annoying agents and terrible generic background music. And most of the unnecessary drama in the premiere is between agents.
They both follow the special “Women We Love” (Esquire, 8 p.m.), concentrating, as the magazine’s feature does, mostly on cute actresses.
“The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” (PBS, 8 p.m.) looks at the era of 1940 to 1968, concentrating on heroes from Rosa Parks to Martin Luther King Jr.
“Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) reruns its 20-year-old report “Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?” as part of the network’s effort marking the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination.
The other history milestone this week is the 150th anniversary of the Gettsyburg Address, addressed on “Lincoln@Gettysburg” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Jeff Koons’ explanation of how he came to do Lady Gaga’s new album cover is one of the likely highlights of the “iHeart Radio Radio Album Release Party with Lady Gaga” (The CW, 8 p.m.), starring the woman who, with her “SNL” hosting duties Saturday, may be overexposed.
A new magazine on science frontiers hosted by a familiar actor is found on “Futurescape with James Woods” (Science, 10 p.m.).
The second season of “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) comes to a close in a two hour episode, with the naming of a new winner.
The premiere of “Treehouse Masters” (TLC, 10 p.m.) begins with a ranch style treehouse in Texas.
A woman on “Doomsday Preppers” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.) has a legitimate fear after this week’s news: tornadoes.
Ron goes to Sri Lanka on “Gem Hunt” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
The Top 10 become eight on “The Voice” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
A series of films that connect with items Turner Classic Movies is auctioning through Bonhams Auction (in part to raise money for film preservation) include “The Maltese Falcon” (8 p.m.), “Mildred Pierce” (10 p.m.) and “Soylent Green” (midnight).
College hoops tonight includes Vanderbilt at Butler (Fox Sports 1, 6 p.m.), Memphis at Oklahoma State (ESPN, 8 p.m.), Bucknell at St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.) and Arizona State at UNLV (CBS Sports, 10 p.m.).
There’s one college football game: Kent State at Ohio (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
The NHL has Bruins at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Josh Hutcherson, Anjelica Huston, Jimmie Johnson. The View: Eric Stonestreet, Leah Remini, Tony Dovolani, Demi Lovato. The Talk: Jason Statham, Izabela idovic, Sunny Anderson. Ellen DeGeneres: Kanye West, Elizabeth Banks, Mario Lopez, Jason Mraz & Travie McCoy, Loni Love. Wendy Williams: Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Melissa de Sousa.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jennifer Lawrence, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the Neighbourhood. Jay Leno: George W. Bush, Bill Dwyer, Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite. Jimmy Kimmel: Elizabeth Banks, Larry King, Daughtry. Jimmy Fallon: Forest Whitaker, Andy Cohen, Cut Copy, Brad Whitford. Craig Ferguson: Margaret Cho, Elettra Weidemann. Carson Daly: Capital Cities, Nightmare and the Cat. Tavis Smiley: Lawrence Brownlee. Jon Stewart: Bill Cosby. Stephen Colbert: Rick Santorum. Arsenio Hall: Eddie Murphy, Flo Rida. Conan O’Brien: Simon Cowell, Paulina Rubio, Jimmy Pardo. Chelsea Handler: Josh Gad, Greg Fitzsimmons, Annie Lederman, Ian Karmel. Pete Holmes: Nick Kroll.