Amid the excesses and fantasy of the many TV hospital dramas, “NY Med” (ABC, 10 p.m.) comes more out of the documentary tradition, where actual stories can be much more compelling. The second season of “Med,” from the makers of previous summer series in Boston, is not immune to prime time considerations, hence the appearance of Dr. Oz as a kind of healing god at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Also on board: a 27-year-old woman who is a penis doctor and has to endure double-entndres from staff and patrons. And a popular nurse from last season is suddenly sacked, for reasons that seem at odds with allowing camera crews into the operating room. But amid the rest of summer broadcast fare, it’s a bracing taste of reality and humanity.
It’s such a big game that some wanted the day declared a national holiday to allow everyone to see it. Access to world Cup action is so easy, though, most will get a chance to watch U.S. vs. Germany (ESPN, noon) anyway. It’s the key game today in World Cup, at least to U.S. fans. Also scheduled today: Portugal vs. Ghana (ESPN2, noon), South Korea vs. Belgium (ESPN, 4 p.m.) and Algeria vs. Russia (ESPN2, 4 p.m.).
It’s a big day in basketball, too, with the NBA Draft (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
An event called The Trailblazers (Logo, 9 p.m.) awards will honor the plaintiff and lawyer who successfully challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, openly gay basketball player Jason Collins, the makers of “Orange is the New Black” and a Ugandan gay rights advocate. Presenters include Adam Levine, Iggy Azelia, Daniel Radcliffe, Jared Leto, Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato
The documentary “Hey Bartender” (Showtime, 8:25 p.m.) salutes the efforts of cocktail makers who are now known as mixologists in the hipper corners of New York.
How long will Daniel stay in a coma on “Rectify” (Sundance, 9 p.m.)? So far, it’s resulted in some vivid dreams. And should Tawney tell her husband of her feelings for his brother?
The second half of the two-day premiere of “Big Brother” (CBS, 9 p.m.), introduces the other eight houseguests left out of Wednesday’s episode and further explains this season’s already confusing twists. Then TV’s bigger experiment, the three hour “Big Brother: After Dark” (TV Guide Network, 1 a.m.) makes its premiere, commercial-free.
“Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.) looks at the HIV epidemic in black American communities.
Plans are made for a road trip on “Maron” (IFC, 10 p.m.).
Minnie Driver is guest judge on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.), where the seven remaining chefs cook for OxFam.
The second half of the scary special “Kate Plus 8: Sextuplets Turn 10” (TLC, 10 p.m.) hinges on a big birthday celebration.
Cheryl Hines is guest mentor on “Last Comic Standing” (NBC, 10 p.m.), where sketch comedy is the first group challenge
The month-long, Thursday night salute to Rock Hudson on Turner Classic Movies concludes with “A Fine Pair” (8 p.m.), “Ice Station Zebra” (9:45 p.m.), “Pretty Maids All in a Row” (12:30 a.m.) and “Seconds” (2:15 a.m.).
Baseball includes Atlanta at Houston (MLB, 2 p.m) and St. Louis at Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
And in England, early round play continues in Wimbledon (ESPN, 7 a.m.; ESPNews, 11:30 a.m.; ESPN2, 2 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Tony Goldwyn, Ben Falcone, Chrissy Teigen. The View: Kiera Knightley, Jay Thomas. The Talk: Joe Manganiello, Kevin Frazier, Dean Sheremet, Marie Osmond. Ellen DeGeneres: Julie Bowen, Nicki Minaj, Lee DeWyze, Mario Lopez (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Mark Ruffalo, former Marine Lance Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter. Jimmy Fallon: Jennifer Lawrence, Craig Robinson, cast of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Bob Newhart, Nicola Peltz, Spoon. Seth Meyers: Jonah Hill, Laura Dern, Nick Turner (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Jane Lynch, Keke Palmer. Carson Daly: Veronica Roth, the Preatures, MisterWives (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Paul Reikhoff, Robert Cray. Jon Stewart: Melissa McCarthy. Stephen Colbert: Paul Rudd. Arsenio Hall: Sean “Diddy”Combs, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Shahidah Omar, Nicole Ari Parker, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Theo Von (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Joel McHale, Freddie Wong & Matt Arnold, Daniel Sloss. Chelsea Handler: Brody Stevens, April Richardson, Jo Koy.