Making nobodies into stars is what reality TV has been about. Tonight, it gets more specific, in the new show “Famous in 12” (The CW, 8 p.m.) in which five people from one family (not the Braxtons nor the Kardashians) try to become famous in three months. Guided by TMZ and its not quite famous leader Harvey Levin, members of the Artiagas of Beaumont, Calif., move to Los Angeles to become a model, a singer, a dancer, a writer and a DJ respectively. To do so, they go through various challenges, the success of which are apparently voted on by viewers.
From the makers of “Naked and Afraid” and “TMZ,” I’m thinking the series won’t even last 12 weeks, let alone allow one of these people become famous. After all, winners of much bigger shows, like “The Voice” don’t even become stars any more. Still, it seems to have more going for it than another tangled celebrity/reality attempt from 2011, “H8R” in which celebrities confronted their critics, though it doesn’t quite have the sublime mean streak of the long lost “The WB’s Superstar USA” from 2004, in which they told the worst singing contestant that she was actually best. Oh, those were the days.
Sorry to see her go: It’s the second season finale for “Inside Amy Schumer” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.), and she does it her way.
Lester is looking more and more self-satisfied on “Fargo” (FX, 10 p.m.), in an episode that takes a pronounced leap.
Emma organizes a male strip show as a police fundraiser on a new “Playing House” (USA, 10 p.m.).
The new series “Siberian Cut” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) follows American logger Sean Vann, who works in Russia, where he invades forests and eventually, maybe the Ukraine.
Andy Dick and Tom Green continue their career slide on the inclined stage of “Riot” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
The paparazzi start to invade “I Wanna Marry Harry” (Fox, 9 p.m.), so he must be Prince Harry, right?
A fifth season starts for “Top Gear” (History, 9 p.m.) at the GatorNationals drag race.
I was hoping the new “Man Fire Food” (Cooking, 9 p.m.) was the long-awaited caveman cooking program. Instead it’s a barbecue travel show starring Roger Mooking that is, in fact, entering its third season.
It may find it hard to compete with all the wars going on. “Storage Wars” (A&E, 9 p.m.) is back for its sixth season, though does anyone remember a time when this wasn’t on between seasons? And there’s new episodes of “Shipping Wars” (A&E, 10 p.m.) as well. I call for a truce.
Can the hospital show “The Night Shift” (NBC, 10 p.m.) be possibly as bad as last week’s premiere? Probably.
Turner Classic Movies goes to outer space and beyond tonight with “2001: A Space Odyssey” (8 p.m.), “Alien” (10:45 p.m.), “Destination Moon” (1 a.m.), “Marooned” (2:30 a.m.) and “Queen of Outer Space” (4:45 a.m.).
“The People’s Couch” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) has been expanded to an hour. Move over.
Two more hours of auditions are presented on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.), where the primary focus is always on the judges.
Not about shoes, “Flip or Flop” (HGTV, 9 p.m.) is about house renovations.
Jenna visits Luke at college on a new “Awkward” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
David Justice and Dweezil Zappa switch spouses on the season finale of “Celebrity Wife Swap” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Matthew Perry is 39 again when they play the 2004 “17 Again” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.).
All new shows tonight on Investigation Discovery, where “Sinister Ministers: Collared” (ID, 8 p.m.) is followed by “Swamp Murders” (ID, 9 p.m.) and “Cry Wolfe” (ID, 10 p.m.).
There’s just too much of this guy on TV when “Tyler Perry’s I can Do Bad All By Myself” (BET, 7 p.m.) plays opposite “Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) and three episodes of his soap “The Have and Have Nots” (OWN, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.).
Baseball today includes Oakland at Yankees (MLB, 7 p.m.) and White Sox at Dodgers (WGN, 10 p.m.).
WNBA action has Los Angeles at Atlanta (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ricky Gervais, Kendall & Kyle Jenner. The View: Dakota Fanning, Jonathan Scott, Chris Powell, Bevy Smith. The Talk: Scott Foley, Michael Yo, Paul Bartolotta, Carnie Wilson. Ellen DeGeneres: Ed Sheeran. Wendy Williams: Kimberly Else, Dr. Roni Deluz, Chloe Melas.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Martin Short, John Oliver, Spanish Gold. Jimmy Fallon: Jonah Hill, Rahm Emanuel, Soundgarden. Jimmy Kimmel: Tom Cruise, Alyssa Milano, Boyz II Men. Seth Meyers: Dennis Miller, Anna Chlumsky, Bastille. Craig Ferguson: Amanda Peet, Kit Harrington. Carson Daly: Aisha Tyler, Deap Vally, Tokyo Police Club. Tavis Smiley: Ed Catmull, Marlee matlin. Jon Stewart: Ricky Gervais. Stephen Colbert: Morgan Freeman. Arsenio Hall: J.B. Smoove, Terry O’Quinn, DJ Rashida (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jane fonda, Ramon Rodriguez, Twin Shadow. Chelsea Handler: Giovanni Ribisi, Jeff Wild, Natasha Leggero, Josh Wolf. Pete Holmes: Big Jay Oakerson.