When it’s been tried by others, it seemed like silly cosplay in a Comic Con vestibule. But when they mix a reality competition with elements of fantasy fiction on the new “The Quest” (ABC, 8 p.m.) it’s infused with enough effects and money to make it seem fresh. If it takes the best of the shows its producers bring to the table — “The Amazing Race” and “The Lord of the Rings” — it might just work, as 12 people are enlisted not just to survive but to save an embattled fantasy kingdom. With the special effects budgets they’re operating with, those might be actual ogres and dragons they face.
Mel Brooks is featured on Turner Classic Movies with “The Twelve Chairs” (8 p.m.), “Silent Movie” (9:45 p.m.), “High Anxiety” (11:30 p.m.)” and his version of “To Be or Not to Be” (2:15 a.m.) followed by the Jack Benny original at 4:15 a.m. In addition, there’s a Brooks interview on “The Dick Cavett Show” (1:15 a.m.).
Here’s what’s happened to Jay Leno since he left “The Tonight Show:” He’s mentoring the five final contestants on “Last Comic Standing” (NBC, 10 p.m.). One bit of key advice: Don’t deal with NBC.
The season of “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.) ends with the story of a missing girl in Washington.
The new reality series “Mecum Dealmakers” (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.) focuses on the high-end auto sales of Mecum Auctions, whose customers tend to be sports stars with money to burn.
A brain operation on a two year old will be tough to watch on “NY Med” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Bruce looks for a job in “Welcome to Sweden” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Amber or Jocasta will be voted off of “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.), but probably Amber.
The surprising thing about “Satisfaction” (USA, 10 p.m.) last week is that it kept the ending of what seemed like a Lifetime movie open, leading to a series.
Earlier, Harry Hamlin plays the estranged father of “Rush” (USA, 9 p.m.).
A second season begins for “Beat Bobby Flay” (Food Network, 10 p.m.), which is not nearly as violent as it sounds.
Items from a movie theater have to be incorporated into designs on “Project Runway” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Martin Lawrence, Dan + Shay. The View: Taylor Schilling, cast of “Married at First Sight,” Emily Miller. The Talk: Eric McCormack, Nancy O’Dell, Kelly Liken. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., Keith urban, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (rerun). Wendy Williams: George Lopez, Nate Berkus (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Somerville, David Gray. Jimmy Fallon: Julia Roberts, Andy Cohen, Ron Funches. Jimmy Kimmel: Kerry Washington, Tom Petty. Seth Meyers: Ethan Hawke, Megyn Kelly, Paula Pell. Craig Ferguson: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jon Gnarr. Carson Daly: Allison Tolman, the Preatures, I Am the Avalanche (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner. Jon Stewart: Aubrey Plaza. Stephen Colbert: Campbell Brown. Arsenio Hall: T.D. Jakes, Shawn Ashmore, Afrojack (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jane Fonda, Ramon Rodriguez, Twin Shadow (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Chris Pratt, Brody Stevens, Jen Kirkman, Ian Karmel.