Coming a night after the season start of “The Bachelorette,” the candidates on “I Wanna Marry Harry” (Fox, 9 p.m.) are meant to be dimmer bulbs, easily tricked into thinking the carrottop they are pursuing at an English castle might just be the super eligible Prince Harry. He’s not, but the kid recruited to perform the ruse is still admirably nervous, thinking he will either blow the prank or needlessly accept these generally loud and rude gaggle of American girls. But thanks to dating9.com‘s dating guide, he delivered what he needs to with a proper expressions in front of women and won their heart as if it wasn’t just an act.
It’s nice to see Fox returning to its original DNA, circa “Joe Millionaire,” a show these ladies didn’t see or know about (one of them doesn’t even know about Prince Harry). The meanness of the prank is meant to offset their sheer ravenousness. And indeed, a few of the women look like the mean stepsisters of “Cinderella.” But will Cinderella herself be heartbroken when it comes time to tell the truth, or will they accept the playactor beneath the fake crown?
Other networks have tried a similar game but from the other end: bringing actual princes to the U.S. and hiding their lineage, only to see if they can succeed with women minus the palaces and royal trappings. This one so far isn’t mean enough to counteract the fake earnestness on “The Bachelorette” and the women not likable enough to root along.
It’s down to country guy Jake Worthington, pop singer Christina Grimmie and bespectacled Josh Kaufman for the sixth season finale of “The Voice” (NBC, 9 p.m.); before the announcement, there performances from Coldplay, Tim McGraw, Ed Sheeran and OneRepublic. A recap of the season and the finale performances is set at 8 p.m.
Baring his chest couldn’t help James Maslow as he was eliminated Monday before tonight’s finale of “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.). Normally Olympic ice dancing gold medalist Meryl Davis would be a runaway for the win, but she’s got strong competition from the achievement of paraplegic Amy Purdy . And Candace cameron Bure hangs on despite lower scores (because she’s the only one with a semi-recognizable name?). One woman will take the glitter ball trophy after guest performances from Amber Riley, Christina Perri, Iggy Azalea, Cody Simpson and Ariana Grande. A season recap airs at 8.
For the more serious minded, the second half of a big NSA investigation, “United States of Secrets: Privacy Lost” airs on “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), showing how your favorite online concerns have served the nation’s appetite for snooping.
With syndicated shows on every afternoon, there seems little reason for a “Judge Judy Primetime” (CBS, 8 p.m.). Unless of course it’s to help clear the nasty backlog. At any rate, it seems less of a testing of prime time waters than it is filler between spring and summer shows.
With Memorial Day in less than a week there are two veteran’s specials, with “ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops” (CBS, 9 p.m.) featuring Merle Haggard, Carrie Underwood, the Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes, Luke Bryan, Lee Brice, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum performing in Las Vegas, and the second of a three part documentary on helping the returning warriors, “Coming Back with Wes Moore” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
The best series you’re not watching, Robert Rodriguez of his “From Dusk Till Dawn” (El Rey, 9 p.m.) ends its first season, on the edges of cable. Hope you’ve stuck with “Fargo” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Also reaching its season finale: “Supernatural” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
On any other night, this would be a natural highlight: “Man-Eating Zombie Cats” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.). Which sounds like something that ought to be on “Freakshow” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
Of the two guests on tonight’s “Riot” (Fox, 9 p.m.), Jason Alexander and Cheryl Hines, one will probably roll. Also: Why is this show an hour long?
The second night of Mel Brooks’ talking about the work of his Brooksfilms production company on Turner Classic Movies includes screenings of three of its greatest films, “The Elephant Man” (8 p.m.), “My Favorite Year” (10:15 p.m.) and the remade “To Be or Not to Be” (midnight).
With back to back showings you can watch “Apocalypse Now” (Sundance, 6:45 and 11 p.m.), now or apocalypse later.
Immediately after the NBA Draft Lottery (ESPN, 8 p.m.), it’s game two of the Eastern Conference NBA finals with Miami at Indiana (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Toronto at Boston (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Charlize Theron, Josh Hartnett. The View: Dr. Ben Carson, James McAvoy, Toni Braxton, Sutton Foster, Terry Crews. The Talk: Judge Judy Sheindlin, Susan Feniger. Ellen DeGeneres: Halle Berry, Tim McGraw.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kid scientists, Sarah Silverman, We Are Scientists. Jimmy Fallon: Charlize Theron, Josh Hartnett. Jimmy Kimmel: Johnny Knoxville, Dave Salmoni, Timeflies. Seth Meyers: James McAvoy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kumail Nanjiani. Craig Ferguson: Terry Bradshaw, Jessica McNamee. Carson Daly: JB Smoove, Warm Soda, Andrew Santino. Tavis Smiley: Renee Fleming. Jon Stewart: Aneesh Chopra. Stephen Colbert: Matt Weiner. Arsenio Hall: T.D. Jakes, Shawn Ashmore, DJ Afrojack. Conan O’Brien: Steven Ho, Molly Shannon, Mike Recine. Chelsea Handler: Joel McHale, Michael Yo, Bobby Lee, Jo Koy. Pete Holmes: Thomas Middleditch, Jim Breuer, Matt Braunger.