Every time the Critics Choice Television Awards (The CW, 8 p.m.) is broadcast, I’m wondering: Who are these people? After all the TV Critics Association have been throwing their own largely untelevised event annually for more than a quarter century. I’ve even presented at them.
They don’t include a list of members on their website, but the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, judging from their member Twitter feed, seems to be made up of people who cover mostly movies and red carpets and maybe the occasional TV show. I can’t think of a single dedicated TV critic on a broadcast outlet outside of NPR.
That said, the nominees for their fourth annual event tonight doesn’t seem completely out of line. Tied for most nominations are “The Big Bang Theory,” “Fargo,” “The Good Wife” “Masters of Sex” and the HBO movie “The Normal Heart,” which was only on a few weeks ago. (It’s crazy that they have a category for shows that not only haven’t started yet, but in some cases have had no screeners sent out).
And the fact they don’t have, say, “Rectify” (Sundance, 9 p.m.), the beautifully realized drama about a man released from death row after 17 years and is trying to adjust to life outside. For Aden Young’s Daniel Holden, he’s also got to adjust, as the second season begins tonight, to having had been beaten near to death on last season’s finale. So he sits in an induced coma and dreams as his family frets around him. Jump into its hypnotic spell as it returns.
Also returning tonight, the much less ambitious summer filler from Canada, “Rookie Blue” (ABC, 9 p.m.), back for its fifth season with two episodes and a new character, an even more callow rookie. It bumps “Black Box” (ABC, 8 p.m.) to a more inappropriate time.
And even lesser: “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (TLC, 9 p.m.) whose kids are growing up so fast both Anna and Kaitlyn have moved out of the house.
Talk about reality show kids getting older, how about the brood on the old “Jon & Kate Plus 8?” There’s a two part birthday special to address that, “Kate Plus 8: Sextuplets Turn 10” (TLC, 10 p.m.) that starts tonight.
New to TV tonight is the series “Dominion” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) about a future where angels try to protect the world — or post-apocalyptic Las Vegas — from equally sized armies of demons. It’s a sequel to the unsuccessful 2010 movie “Legion,” with Anthony Stewart Head, Chris Egan and Betsy Wilke. It’s paired with the second season premiere of the futuristic Wild West saga “Defiance” (Syfy, 8 p.m.), which features its own futuristic American city, New Chicago.
“The Sixties” (CNN, 9 p.m.) inevitably turns to the central tragedy of the decade, Vietnam, with commentary from author Tim O’Brien and historian Fredrik Logevall, among others.
On “Maron” (IFC, 10 p.m.), his brother in law has marital problems. And I suppose his cat is still missing.
They’re cultivating an “Orange is the New Black” vibe on the seventh season start of “Beyond Scared Straight” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
In a regional competition, I’d bet on “North Woods Law” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.) over “Party Down South” (CMT, 10 p.m.).
In the World Cup, it’s Colombia vs. Ivory Coast (ESPN, noon), Uruguay vs. England (ESPN, 3 p.m.) and Japan vs. Greece (ESPN, 6 p.m.).
Seven contestants remain on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
This month’s Thursday night salute to Rock Hudson on Turner Classic Movies continues with three of his comedies with Doris Day, “Pillow Talk” (8 p.m.), “Lover Come Back” (10 p.m.) and “Send Me No Flowers” (midnight) followed by his comedy with Gina Lollobrigida, “Come September” (1:45 a.m.), and one with Paula Prentiss, “Man’s Favorite Sport?” (3:45 a.m.).
Baseball includes Kansas City at Detroit (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Mets at Miami (MLB, 7 p.m.).
In the College World Series, it’s TCU vs. Mississippi (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jamie Foxx, Zac Efron. The View: Dr. Mehmet Oz, Sam Smith, Bill Rancic & Ross Mathews. The Talk: Toni Braxton, Jessica Radloff, Ray Lampe, Karen Borta. Ellen DeGeneres: Miley Cyrus (rerun). Wendy Williams: Jennifer Lopez.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Paul Rudd, Jeff Altman, John Doe. Jimmy Fallon: George Lopez, Pitbull. Jimmy Kimmel: Tony Parker, Eric Bana, Linkin Park. Seth Meyers: Al Roker, Jenny Slate, Paul Haggis. Craig Ferguson: Carson Kressley, Shantel VanSanten. Carson Daly: Rachel Taylor, Robbie Fulks, Taylor Williamson (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Bob Moses, Stanley Nelson. Jon Stewart: Hamid Al-Bayati. Stephen Colbert: Jay Carney. Arsenio Hall: Mike Tyson, Niecy Nash, Harley Morenstein, Nathan East (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Kevin Hart, Rhona Mitra, Atmosphere. Chelsea Handler: Meagan Good, Ben Gleib, Fortune Feimster, Ryan Stout. Pete Holmes: Kumail Nanjiani (rerun).