One of the great new recent shows to emerge in the spurt of quality cable TV is “The Bridge” (FX, 10 p.m.), a remake of a Danish series into a taut and sometimes poetic portrait of the American border, where police on both sides of the border who first worked together to solve a bizarre case last season, continue to work to try to solve a number of simultaneous cases including spate of missing young women and a house full of money.
Plus there’s an especially malevolent new part of the cartel this year, a vicious bookkeeper played by Franka Potente of “Run Lola Run.” Diane Kruger’s Det. Sonya Cross is still doing some unexpected things, none more weird than hooking up with the brother of her sister’s killer. And Demian Bichir’s Marco is still working through the family tragedies of last season.
“The Bridge” makers succeed in creating a vivid portrait of the border, as national attention returns there, with vivid characters and taut story lines. Good to have it re-opened.
At the same time, the series “Under the Dome” was such a hit last summer, it opened the door to all manner of network summer potboilers. One of the highest profile stars in such a series is Halle Berry playing an astronaut returning from space after more than a year on the new “Extant” (CBS, 9 p.m.). Something odd has happened in the meantime. She’s pregnant for one thing.
Nobody took much notice of the Mona Lisa until the da Vinci painting was stolen from the Lourve. And then suddenly there were two. “Secrets of the Dead” ((PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) looks at both and takes a scientific approach in figuring out if one is fake.
Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Neon Trees, Tiesto, Iggy Azalea and Lil Jon perform in the concert special ” iHeart Radio Ultimate Pool Party” (The CW, 8 p.m.), hosted by Nick Cannon.
The penchant for more moderate digs is reflected in the second new series on the remade BIO channel, “Tiny House Nation” (FYI, 10 p.m.) hosted by John Weisbarth and Zach Griffin, looking for dwellings with 300 square foot living space.
Another new real estate offering, “Rowhouse Showdown” (FYI, 9 p.m.), turns improvements in Cincinnati row houses into a competition, presided by Carter Oosterhouse of “Trading Spaces.”
On the other edge of the scale, Paul Kim runs a company that tries to secure lavish mansions that can be rented for filming or events on the new “Mansion Hunters” (Reelz, 10 p.m.), leading a team that seems a little too excited about meeting Audrina Patridge. It accompanies a new season of “Beverly Hills Pawn” (Reelz, 9 p.m.) in which Yossi Dina has apparently been told to be more expressive in his dealings.
Lake Bell’s movie about a woman breaking into the male-dominated world of movie announcing, “In a World…” (Epix, 8 p.m.) makes its cable debut.
On the new “American Muscle” (Discovery, 9 p.m.), professional athletes join amateurs at a high-powered gym in Detroit run by an intense former football coach.
Morgan Fairchild returns as a guest star on “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land, 10 p.m.).
The first eliminations come for the Top 20 on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Fittingly, “Untying the Knot” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) the series about divorce, has its own end.
A new “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman” (FYI, 10 p.m.) looks at the beginnings of time.
Neal McDonough guest stars on a new “Suits” (USA, 9 p.m.).
The “Mystery Girls” (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.) spends a night in a haunted house.
Movies about butlers are on Turner Classic Movies with “Ruggles of Red Gap” (8 p.m.), “Step Lively, Jeeves!” (9:45 p.m.), “Holy Matrimony” (11:15 p.m.) and “On Again – Off Again” (1 a.m.).
Baseball today includes Pittsburgh at St. Louis (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Stage 5 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports, 7:30 a.m.) goes from Ypres to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Halle Berry, Florida Georgia Line. The View: Leah Remini, Magic!, Sunny Hostin. The Talk: Goran Visnjic, Big Boy, Enzo Febbraro. Ellen DeGeneres: Matt Lauer, Kellie Pickler (rerun). Wendy Williams: Chriss Teigen.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Clint Dempsey, Sleeper Agent. Jimmy Fallon: Kelly Ripa, Jason Clarke, Sylvan Esso. Jimmy Kimmel: Robert Pattinson, Pablo Schreiber, Nico & Vinz (rerun). Seth Meyers: Andy Serkis, Neon Trees. Craig Ferguson: Michael Sheen. Carson Daly: Wally Pfister, Jake Bugg (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Beau Bridges. Arsenio Hall: Cuba Gooding Jr., Marlee Matlin, Paul Bedard & Jimmy Riffle, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Sharon Stone, Marc Maron, Rodrigo y Gabriela (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Susan Sarandon, Chris Franjola, Arden Myrin, Kurt Braunohler (rerun).