A whole load of new shows begin tonight on broadcast and cable. The strongest are a couple of insurrectionist anti-romantic comedies from the network that you might expect from the network that gave us “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
“Married” (FX, 10 p.m.) stars the funny Nat Faxon from the canceled “Ben and Kate” who also co-wrote “The Way Way Back” and “The Descendents.” Here he stars as a guy trying to find his way in his marriage to an exhausted (but still funny) Judy Greer. With people like Jenny Slate and John Hodgman showing up, you know yore in pretty good hands.
Even edgier is “You’re the Worst” (FX, 10:30 p.m.) with newcomers Chris Greer and Aya Cash as prickly people who happen to spark together (to their own dismay). The comedy from Stephen Falk includes some of the most explicit bedroom scenes in ad-supported TV and some raunchy turns. But there’s an affection, sometimes hidden deep in their relationship that makes it seem to work, though both comedies are probably not for everyone.
Similar marital problems riddle “Satisfaction” (USA, 10 p.m.), a series that’s refreshing in that it’s not about cops or doctors, but about the homelife of a couple at a crossroads. Though it is kind of strange. When Matt Passmore finds his wife Stephanie Szostak cheating on him he gets to know her lover, then takes his appointments as a gigolo. It goes off the rails early, like his life. But it’s kind of a surprise that at the end of what would otherwise seem like another Lifetime movie, decides to continue into a series.
“Rush” (USA, 9 p.m.) is a more recognizable USA fare: a high end doctor administering largely to the beautiful in Los Angeles. The twist is that the doctor, played by British actor Tom Ellis, who begins the series snorting with a girl he next has to take to the emergency room. Rush is his actual name, though, not the sensation when he uses. Are we ready for another new show about a dissipating professional?
In the blast of 2014 naked shows (was there a new TV ruling that OK’d butt cracks?), from “Naked and Scared” to “Buying Naked,” “Dating Naked” (MTV, 9 p.m.) may be the most unpleasant. As if blind dating isn’t nerve-racking enough, this show has them meet on a tropical island in the altogether. It doesn’t help that much that the first guy involved has a good sense of humor. “If you get nervous,” he advises his date, “imagine me in my underwear.” Their subsequent activity, water-skiing, just seems odd (if not fraught with sunburn).
There are some who imagine Nicole Richie as a brilliant deadpan comedic voice, the unheralded half of “the Simple Life” with Paris Hilton. But I can’t imagine that’s very many. Her actions in her new reality series “Candidly Nicole” (VH1, 10 p.m.) that some might consider hilarious, come off more as dumb, rude and blank — all in purple hair.
Still, Richie is not as hateful a celebrity as the pair in “LeAnn & Eddie” (VH1, 10:30 p.m.), the self-produced “reality” show starring country singer LeAnn Rimes and her relationship with actor Eddie Cibrian, which began by breaking up their previous marriages. Their comeuppance is that they are forever absolutely obsessed with how the tabloids define them as they go through their contrived episodes.
Because they have more slime to disperse, the first “Kids Choice Sports 2014” (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.) is instituted, honoring stars from Serena Williams to Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter and LaBron James. Michael Strahan hosts the event from Pauley Pavilion at UCLA. David Beckham wins a legend award and Pharrell Williams and Florida Georgia Line perform.
Ms. Winfrey talks to Jerry Sandusky’s adopted son on “Oprah Prime” (OWN, 9 p.m.).
It’s all about Red Sox hero Big Papi in the documentary “David Ortiz in the Moment” (Epix, 8 p.m.).
“The Sixties” (CNN, 9 p.m.) looks at the space race.
The first of her newsmagazine shows, “Untold with Marian Menounos” (E!, 8 p.m.) isn’t so different from many other infotainment shows.
The remaining four chefs have to create a dish relying only on a taste test on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Bruce takes a language class on “Welcome to Sweden” (NBC, 9 p.m.) and Will Ferrell visits.
“Rookie Blue” (ABC, 9 p.m.) may not be back next season.
A pair of crime remakes are on Turner Classic Movies, with the 1931 “The Criminal Code” (8 p.m.) made into the 1950 “Convicted” (10 p.m.) and the 1932 “Scarface” (midnight) and its 1983 remake at 2 a.m..
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Cameron Diaz, Mark Feuerstein. The View: Julie Bowen, Kim Fields, Lisa Whelchel. The Talk: Ian Ziering, Brooke Anderson, Jaie Krell, Marie Osmond. Ellen DeGeneres: Robin Williams, Pharrell, Ellie Kemper (rerun). Wendy Williams: LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Colin Firth, Tommy Johnagin, St. Vincent. Jimmy Fallon: John Lithgow, Miranda Kerr, Jason Mraz. Jimmy Kimmel: Dane Cook, Mark Duplass, Trey Songz (rerun). Seth Meyers: Julie Bowen, Brett Ratner, Ben Kronberg. Craig Ferguson: Julia Ormond, Dan Riskin. Carson Daly: Dave Attell, You Won’t (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Eli Broad. Jon Stewart: Emma Stone. Stephen Colbert: Steven Wise. Arsenio Hall: Michael K. Williams, Kenya Moore, Sky Blu (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jason Segel, Cameron Diaz, Matt Walsh, Weird Al Yankovic. Chelsea Handler: Cameron Diaz, Mary McCormack, Whitney Cummings, Julian McCullough.