If nothing else, the new drama “Believe” (NBC, 10 p.m.) has a great pedigree: A new J.J. Abrams show co-created and directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who just won best director Oscar for “Gravity.”
There is no such gravitational pull to the new show, which is strangely like the largely ignored and cancelled “Touch,” in that involves a very special child with specific gifts. Now that the girl (whose name is Johnny Sequoyah) is identified as special, she is sought by good people (Delroy Lindo) and (a sexy gal under the direction of Kyle MacLachan).
Much of the first episode has to do with springing a convict from death row, for reasons that are not known until the end of the premiere. There are also some telekenetic things the girl pulls out from time to time, but not enough to keep one’s interest. At its end it starts to play like the man and kid interplay of “Paper Moon.” And overall it tends to reflect, along with Sunday’s new show “Resurrection” and “Touch,” Hollywood’s growing ambivalence and fear of children.
Three hours of the inarticulate, thoughtless Juan Pablo as he paws his final two women and makes a choice (or doesn’t) is redeemed by the fact that this will also be the season finale of “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.). Promos for the event show both women, Clare and Nikki, who hate each other, crying at some point. Then there’s another post-show recap and explanation (and update) provided in “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose” (ABC, 10 p.m.), when a new Bachelorette is chosen. I hope it’s Renee and not Andi. But it will probably be Andi.
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) began to take a strange, dark and unexpected turn last week. Those still watching the show will want to know if it continues tonight.
Did you miss them last night? Here’s the “True Detective” (HBO2, 9 p.m.) and the first episode of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.).
And for those who will miss “True Detective” until it returns next year (with a new cast), I recommend you jump on board “Those Who Kill” (A&E, 10 p.m.), which I think is very good.
Freddie Prinze Jr. returns to “Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.) as it moves to its new time slot.
Blind auditions continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Three modern day daredevils try out classic stunts from Evel Knievel on the special “Heirs to Dare” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
The strange concept of watching people watch TV continues as the second season of “The People’s Couch” (Bravo, 11:30 p.m.) begins.
Robert Osborne gets to choose the movies tonight on Turner Classic Movies, with “Sleepless in Seattle” (8 p.m.), “The Sea Hawk” (10 p.m.), “The Sea Wolf” (12:15 a.m.) and “The Enchanted Cottage” (2 a.m.) and “Invitation” (3:45 a.m.).
Championship games in men’s college basketball tonight include Iona vs. Manhattan (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) in the MAAC, Delaware vs. William and Mary (NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.) in the CAA, Western Carolina vs. Wofford (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) in the Southern Conference. In the WCC semifinals, it’s Saint Mary’s vs. Gonzaga (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and San Francisco vs. BYU (ESPN2, 11:30 p.m.).
In women’s games, it’s Marist vs. Quinnipiac (ESPNU, 2 p.m.) in the MAAC championship, Albany vs. Story Brook (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) in the America East championship, St. John’s vs. Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) and DePaul vs. Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) in a pair of Big East semifinals, Connecticut vs. Louisville (ESPN, 7 p.m.) in the American Athletic Conference championship and West Virginia vs. Baylor (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) in the Big 12 championship.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Kristen Bell, American Authors. The View: Steve Harvey, Marcia Gay Harden, Thomas Roberts. The Talk: Beau Bridges, Lisa Ingrassia, Richard Blais. Ellen DeGeneres: Ray Romano, Amber Riley, Jennifer Nettles, Aldrich Talonding & James Bucong.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Sen. John McCain, Little Mix. Jimmy Fallon: Kristen Bell, Steve Harvey, Demi Lovato. Jimmy Kimmel: Seth Rogen, Snoop Dogg, White Denim. Seth Meyers: Andy Samberg, Busy Philipps, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer. Craig Ferguson: Emily Mortimer, Darrin Rose, the Alternate Routes. Carson Daly: Rob Thomas, Albert Hammond Jr., Hell or Highwater. Tavis Smiley: Edwidge Danticat, Scott Adams. Jon Stewart: Paul Taylor. Stephen Colbert: Neil deGrasse Tyson. Arsenio Hall: Nia Long, Eddie Cibrian, Cocoa Brown, Zulay Henao, Amy Smart, Terry Crews, Wendi McLendon-Covey, William Levy, Sevyn Streeter. Conan O’Brien: Kevin Nealon, Ansel Elgort, Warpaint. Chelsea Handler: Minnie Driver, Jeff Wild, Claire Titelman, Ross Mathews. Pete Holmes: Paul Scheer.