Scheduling new sitcoms in the middle of summer is a way for broadcast networks to show lack of faith in what they’re presenting. And it’s completely understandable with the pair they’re debuting tonight.
It’s likely nepotism that got Greg Poehler’s slight sitcom “Welcome to Sweden” (NBC, 9 p.m.) to the network. Sis Amy Poehner appears in the first minutes of the series, before he goes off to his girlfriend’s homeland, Sweden. There follows a fish out of water tale not unlike Steven Van Zandt’s “Lilyhammer” and yet with the same pitfall: To make it for both Swedish and U.S. audiences doesn’t quite work. The unintended statement about culture clashes makes its own statement: What’s funny to Swedes isn’t necessarily funny to Yanks, who will be taxed by having to read Swedish subtitles to wan jokes.
Still, it’s great to see a cast that includes Lena Olin as a wary mother and cameos from Poehler pals from Aubrey Plaza to Will Ferrell. And overall, it’s a pip compared to the accompanying Canadian import, “Working the Engels” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.).
Kacey Rohl is the standout here, as the good kid of a messed-up family, a lawyer who nonetheless quits the firm in order to start a new one with her dysfunctional clan. Good to see Andrea Martin back as a near-suicidal mom, but the rest of the cast is blah; the comedy hijinks just leave you cold.
The two shows aren’t much but stand out between “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.), with Martha Stewart, Margaret Cho, Curtis Stone, Mena Suvari and “Last Comic Standing” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
The documentary “Kidnapped for Christ” (Showtime, 7:30 p.m.) looks into a now-closed modification camp in the Dominican Republic meant to “cure” gay kids and others from the U.S. deemed to be troublesome.
Even as five chefs remain on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.), a whole new cooking competition begins in Las Vegas with the “World Food Championships” (FYI, 10 p.m.). Jeffrey Saad and Tiffany Derry host the competition between amateur and professional chefs.
A third food competition concentrates on junk food. The Eddie Huang hosted “Snack Off” (MTV, 10:30 p.m.), has contestants use ingredients like candy or fries. Judges include Chrissy Teigen, Jason Quinn and Yassir Lester.
The latest in the line of the “Pawn Stars” spinoffs enamored by how much the word sounds like “porn,” here’s “Pawnography” (History, 10 p.m.) in which contestants are pitted against “Pawn Star” cast members in a trivia competition. Comic Christopher Titus hosts.
Here’s a new reality show about the life of the former “King of Queens” star, who spent some time on “The Talk.” “Leah Remini: It’s All Relative” (TLC, 10 p.m.) follows her extended family.
Monster seekers in the new series “Beasts of the Bayou” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) are divided into teams, one who believe in science, the other in mythology.
Daniel visits Atlanta on a new “Rectify” (Sundance, 9:30 p.m.).
“Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 10:30 p.m.) closes its season with Josh Groban.
“Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.) looks at gun violence in Philadelphia.
It’s a rare night of documentaries on Turner Classic Movies with “Salesman” (8 p.m.), “The Times of Harvey Milk” (9:45 p.m.), “Come Back, Africa” (11:30 p.m.), “Calcutta” (1:30 a.m.) and “Sans Soleil” (3:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Justin Theroux, Steven Yeun, Lyne Lovett. The View: Jane Lynch, Teresa Guidice, Dina Manzo, Melissa Gorga. The Talk: La Toya Jackson, Nancy O’Dell, David LeFevre. Ellen DeGeneres: Chris Pratt, Channing Tatum, the Killers (rerun). Wendy Williams: Leah Remini.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Michael Douglas, Paul Morrissey, Kiesza. Jimmy Fallon: Dana Carvey, Hailee Steinfeld, Magic. Jimmy Kimmel: Roseanne Barr, Eric Dane, Tech N9ne (rerun). Seth Meyers: Keri Russell, Kevin Millar, Sean Casey, Michelle Wolf. Craig Ferguson: Carl Reiner, Valerie Azlynn. Carson Daly: Brian Unger, Zane Lamprey, the Crystal Method, Milagres (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Alex Tizon, Sister Simone Campbell. Arsenio Hall: Tyrese Gibson, Wendell Pierce, Gary Owen, TGT (rerun). Conan OBrien: Lisa Kudrow, George R.R. Martin, Wild Cub (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Melissa McCarthy, Jeff Wild, Loni Love, Brad Wollack (rerun).