It was the mystery of the writer, combined with the power of his best known book “The Catcher in the Rye,” that made J.D. Salinger an object of fascination. Every so often a photographer or literary fan would take the drive up to Cornish, N.H. in hopes of getting a glimpse. Shane Salerno’s “Salinger,” a companion piece of the exhaustive biography of the same title, seemingly collects all of them on “American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The full-length film, which runs even longer than the one that was in theaters, and represents the series’ 200th episode, is marred by almost humorously overdone dramatic music and its treatment of the late author as a kind of Literary Bigfoot to be stalked. He just wanted to be apart from things like this.
The world of the track and its hardcore bettors are followed in the new series “Horseplayers” (Esquire Network, 10 p.m.), exploring the world previously seen in the HBO series “Luck.”
In the dating show “Are You the One?” (MTV, 11 p.m.), a computer finds the best matches for 20 singles, then it’s up to them to see if they can make similar matchups. If they do, there’s prize money in addition to the possible romance.
The new “Opposite Worlds” (Syfy, 10 p.m.) sounds more complicated, with a team living in a luxurious future vs. a team living in conditions of a more primitive past. They’re divided by a glass wall and viewers are to control the action by voting who gets to decide who stays and who goes home. Also the most popular player as determined by tweets will be rewarded and the least popular punished. It runs Tuesdays and Wednesday nights for six weeks. Nearly a half century after “The Beverly Hillbillies,” here’s a reality variant, “Hollywood Hillbillies” (Reelz, 9 p.m.) about a kid who gained fame on the Internet (as the Angry Ginger) and his brings his aunt, uncle and grandma to the land of cement ponds.
Makeover night on “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.) includes a visit from Tim Gunn.
Judge Judy is guest programmer on Turner Classic Movies. Her choices: “The Goodbye Girl” (8 p.m.), “Elmer Gantry” (10 p.m.) and “The Good Earth” (12:30 a.m.).
“Beat the House” (HGTV, 11 and 11:30 p.m.) isn’t about poker, but two real estate agents who try to convince a couple to find the house they want to sell them.
The fifth season return of “Teen Mom 2” (MTV, 10 p.m.) lives up to its name, as Janelle finds she is preganant with her second child.
That the two teams playing the Super Bowl this year are from the two states that legalized marijuana ought to underscore a report on pot use in the NFL on a new “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.). The 20th season premiere also includes a profile of Boomer Esiason, Sacramento Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive and a look ad advances in professional bull riding.
The second of a three part “Klondike” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) airs. Its first night, which drew 3.4 million viewers Monday, reruns at 7 p.m.
An audience of 3.4 million might be healthy for cable, but it’s lethal on broadcast TV. So “Killer Women” (ABC, 10 p.m.), after drawing similar numbers in its first two outings, itself has been killed off, with its episode order cut to six.
A big twist is promised for tonight’s “The Originals” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
“Bad Girls All Star Battle” (Oxygen, 8 p.m.) is quite logically followed by “Blood, Sweat & Heels” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.).
Nick plans a birthday party for Jess on “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.). Mindy breaks up with Cliff on “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) where Dan Hedaya guest stars as Danny’s father.
Men’s college hoops includes Indiana at Michigan State (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Kansas State at Texas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Missouri at LSU (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Texas A&M at Kentucky (ESPN,9 p.m.), Georgia Tech at Boston College (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Butler at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
In college women’s basketball it’s Oklahoma at Iowa State (Fox Sports, 7 p.m.).
NHL action includes Minnesota at Dallas (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Andy Samberg, Stephen Arnell. The View: Antoinette Tuf, Mario Cantone. The Talk: Dean Cain, Thea Andrews, Lorena Garcia. Ellen DeGeneres: Seth Meyers, Busy Philipps, Alison Sweeney. Wendy Williams: Pete Wentz, LeToya Luckett.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Andy Samberg, Michael B. Jordan, Ellie Goulding. Jay Leno: Adam Sandler, Ali Wentworth, Sheryl Crow. Jimmy Kimmel: Greg Kinnear, Emily Deschanel, Young the Giant. Jimmy Fallon: Bill Gates, Kate McKinnon, Wild Cub. Craig Ferguson: Justin Long, Valerie Azlynn. Jon Stewart: Theresa Payton. Stephen Colbert: Michael Chabon, Mariel Hemingway. Arsenio Hall: Kathy Griffin, Kenya Moore, Sky Blu. Conan O’Brien: Kristen Bell, Alana Nichols, Sarah Jarosz. Chelsea Handler: David Spade, Brad Wollack, Arden Myrin, Tone Bell.