These days, not only does all the best TV drama reside on cable, but it’s getting to be that even the most minor cable network has its own great fare. The biggest example might be tonight’s ambitious new show “The Divide” (WeTV, 9 p.m.).
It might have begun life as a legal drama developed for AMC, but since there was no room on that network for an immediate showing, it was given to its sister station, which used to be known as Women’s Entertainment. No matter where it landed, it’s still pretty strong — ostensibly a story about an Innocence Project offshoot working in Philadelphia, where reopening a case also means re-exposing the city’s racial fault lines.
Marin Ireland is very good as a woman bent on exposing the truth of a 12 year-old racial murder that boosted the political life of a former D.A. (Damon Gupton). It also stars more than a couple people from “The Wire” including Clarke Peters as well as Paul Schneider (Mark Brendanawicz on “Parks and Recreation”). And one of the biggest stars was behind the camera: Tony Goldwyn, the President from “Scandal,” directed. It’s written by Richard LaGravenese (“Behind the Candelabra”) and succeeds by one of the few network dramas to even address contemporary racial tensions. The two hour premiere will satisfy you, and make you glad it’s coming back for more.
With sports activity at an annual low, and some still on their All Star Break, it’s a good time for the annual ESPY Awards (ESPN, 9 p.m.), because sports heroes don’t receive enough attention on the field. Drake hosts the 22nd annual event, and Derek Jeter will probably take another victory lap. In addition to the host, music comes from the band Ozomatli.
Linda Perry, who produced more hits for others after she had hers with 4 Non Blondes, is the subject of two shows tonight, the one time “Behind the Music” (VH1, 9 p.m.) and the new series “Make or Break: The Linda Perry Project” (VH1, 10 p.m.), in which she works with aspiring musicians on creating their own hits. From the makers of “Celebrity Rehab.”
Almost as if to create equal time to the young women on the returning “Teen Mom 2” (MTV, 10 p.m.), here’s “Virgin Territory” (MTV, 11 p.m.), a series in which 15 young people deal with their virginity, from determined to keep it to trying to lose it.
A new episode of “Born Schizophrenic” (TLC, 9 p.m.) leads to another show about more fully formed dual individuals, “Twin Life” (TLC, 10 p.m.). More twins are found earlier in the fictional movie “Dead Ringers” (Sundance, 7:30 p.m.).
A younger group of prodigies, including a 12 year old cellist, 11-year-old opera singer, 13-year-old ballet dancer, 8-year-old ballroom dancing champ and a blind 13-year-old musician who seems like a new Little Stevie Wonder are profiled in the new “Young Marvels” (Ovation, 10 p.m.).
Another bizarre killing attracts attention on both sides of “The Bridge” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Public television seems to be getting into the kind of attention-getting program titling that Animal Planet uses. How else to explain “My Wild Affair” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) and “Sex in the Wild” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings). The former is about a baby elephant’s bond with its human foster mother, the latter about the reproductive behaviors of pachyderms.
Halle Berry wants more details about her unexpected pregnancy on the second episode of “Extant” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
A power of veto competition is held on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The Top 18 dance and two more are eliminated on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.), where the guest judge is ballerina Misty Copeland.
Somebody’s got $10 million to burn on a new place on “Million Dollar Listing: Miami” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“American Fringe” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) takes a look at the jerks from the Westboro Baptist Church.
An alligator is targeted on a new “Duck Dynasty” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
Host Robert Osborne does the choosing tonight on Turner Classic Movies. His choices: “Fanny” (8 p.m.), “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” (10:30 p.m.), “Experiment Perilous” (12:15 a.m.), “Yolanda and the Thief” (2 a.m.) and “Dark Delusion” (4 a.m.).
Stage 11 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.) runs from Besancon to Oyonnax.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Zach Braff, Andie MacDowell, Anderson Cooper. The View: LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian, Troy Dunn, Sara Haines. The Talk: Alison Sweeney, Linda Perry, Jason Santos, Marie Osmond. Ellen DeGeneres: Fergie, Kym Douglas (rerun). Wendy Williams: KeKe Palmer, Pamela Edwards Christiani.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, American Authors. Jimmy Fallon: Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Moyer, Puss N Boots. Jimmy Kimmel: Bob Newhart, Nicola Peltz, Spoon (rerun). Seth Meyers: Regis Philbin, John Henson, Broods. Craig Ferguson: Elijah Wood, Marcia Clark, Kristeen Young with Dave Grohl and Pat Smear. Carson Daly: Matt Taibbi, Tinariwen, Steven Knight (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Bryan Stevenson. Jon Stewart: Jerry Seinfeld. Stephen Colbert: Mayor Bill de Blasio. Arsenio Hall: T.I., Rocsi Diaz, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Michael Strahan, Famke Janssen, Mark Normand. Chelsea Handler: Dane Cook, Ben Gleib, Bobby Lee, Ross Mathews.