With the show now out of the Top 10, there certainly isn’t the national attention over the finalists of “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) tonight. The two left standing, Meatloaf wannabe Caleb Johnson, 23, of Asheville, N.C., and Jena Irene, 17, of Farmington Hills, Mich., are far from being household names, even though they are the first finalists to have a rumored romance since season one’s Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson (she asked him to her prom, big deal).
The bigger competition tonight is whether the usual blowout of an “Idol” finale — with returning contestants, guest stars — including Lady Antebellum, Aloe Blacc, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Jason Mraz, Kiss, Jennifer Nettles, Paramore, Phillip Phillips and Darius Rucker — and the usual confetti cannons, will even beat the three-hour finale of an even older broadcast reality mainstay, “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The latter is coming off a pretty strong season, dominated by another East coast paranoid in Jersey cop Tony Vlachos, and featuring a young survivor everyone can root for in Spencer Bledsoe. The other finalists are treacherous and unlikable Kass McQuillien and the generally clueless Yung “Wood” Hwang. After two tribal councils and a jury vote, a $1 million winner will be announced just after 10 p.m.
In scripted TV, nothing is bigger than the season five finale of “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.) in which Mitch and Cam finally tie the knot.
Other network finales come tonight from “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC, 9 p.m.), its 15th; and the sixth season of “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.), which ends in an hour-long episode about a trip to Disney World. Both of those shows will return in the fall, as will “Chicago P.D” (NBC, 10 p.m.) ending its inaugural season.
It’s the end for good after two seasons for “Revolution” (NBC, 8 p.m.), which started with so much promise. Too bad they weren’t told of their cancellation in time to bring a satisfying ending to the tale tonight — or turn on the lights. It’s a blessing that this will be the last time we’ll ever have to see the crude and unfunny “Mixology” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Tonight is the return, however, for the summer import from Canada, “Motive” (ABC, 10 p.m.), the series that begins by telling you the killer and then spends an hour trying to figure out why. The only thing I remember from its first season is that Lauren Holly is in it.
On cable, it’s the second season finale for “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.) in which Philip and Elizabeth, OK spies but terrible parents, finally evacuate their children.
There are two episodes of “The 100” (CW, 8 and 9 p.m.) tonight. So: 200.
I think they’ve been overblowing the titles a little bit on Animal Planet, with things like “Man-Eating Super Wolves” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.). The title of a 2013 Syfy movie may be described as succinct: “Big Ass Spider!” (syfy, 9 p.m.).
Sometimes it seems that “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) is always going to be dull, with its elementary school filmstrip and overbroad title. The thing is, just about every week is fascinating, few more so than tonight’s overview of “The Gathering Swarms” looking at insects, fish and creatures who gather in the millions and more, acting as one. Who has seen the cloud of green parakeets swooping in Africa? Or broken down the huddles of the emperor penguins? Or the mayflies that cover a Missouri River town for its one day of life and love on the Fourth of July? Or the story if the cicadas, caught on their 17 year trek to the surface. It’s pretty amazing stuff.
In the NBA playoffs, it’s Oklahoma City at San Antonio (TNT, 9 p.m.). In the Stanley Cup, it’s Los Angeles at Chicago.
Baseball includes Dodgers at Mets (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Hugh Jackman, Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Amy Purdy & Derek Hough, Candace Cameron Bure & Mark Ballas. The View: Neil Patrick Harris, A Great Big World, Todd Chrisley. The Talk: Patricia Heaton, Diana Madison, Wolfgang Puck. Ellen DeGeneres: Charlize Theron, Seth MacFarlane, Coldplay. Wendy Williams: Terry Crews.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Sgt. Kyle J. White, Judy Greer, Dierks Bentley. Jimmy Fallon: Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Page, Barry Gibb, Josh Kaufman. Jimmy Kimmel: Adam Sandler, Elle Fanning, Lykke Li. Seth Meyers: Jennifer Lawrence, Alan Cumming, Little Daylight. Craig Ferguson: Jeff Foxworthy, the Colourist. Carson Daly: Roy Choi, the Growlers, Sylvan Esso. Tavis Smiley: Sen. Rand Paul, Jim Parsons. Jon Stewart: Timothy Geithner. Stephen Colbert: Patrick Stewart. Arsenio Hall: J.B. Smoove, Terry O’Quinn, DJ Rashida. Conan O’Brien: Norm Macdonald, Mackenzie Davis, Veruca Salt. Chelsea Handler: Charlize Theron, Chris Franjola, Heather McDonald, Josh Wolf. Pete Holmes: Nicole Byer, Andy Haynes, Matt Braunger, Jim Breuer.