There seems to be an epidemic of drug addiction among TV doctors and health professionals. It afflicts the stars of “House” and “Nurse Jackie,” yes, but among those working 100 years ago or more, from “The Knick” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.) to the plucky protagonist of “A Young Doctor’s Notebook & Other Stories” (Ovation, 10 p.m.). Is it the pressure of the job or the availability of the medicine?
As played by Daniel Radcliffe, the young Russian doctor in the comic series is as committed to surgery as he is to his addiction to morphine. He continues on his path despite warnings from his older, handsomer self played by none other than Jon Hamm. That Harry Potter would grow up to be Don Draper is enough to get your head around (does morphine make a chin grow?).
The second season of the manic British series, based on the works of Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov, finds the young doc feeling the effects of the Russian Civil War in 1918 even in his small village; while his older self, rehabilitated after a stay at an institution in 1935, provides more clear-headed advice. The four episode season (of 30 minute episodes) provides a inice late summer respite at a time when even “Masterpiece” has gone off on vacation.
Radcliffe has nothing to do with the new show premiering tonight, “Wizard Wars” (Syfy, 10 p.m.). Instead, it features Penn and Teller, already on TV this summer in the British import “Fool Us,” returning to judge a second magic competition. This time, contestants have to build an illusion using surprise objects, from Spam to Super Soakers. It’s like a cooking competition in that it not only uses the surprise ingredients but also pits amateurs vs. pros, as they do on, say, “Food Fighters” (NBC, 8 p.m.). No pointy hats though.
There’s competition, too, between candidates on “Extreme Weight Loss” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
The long snapper for the Philadelphia Eagles who doubles as a magician, Jon Dorenbos is among those profiled on a new “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
An archaeological dig in Maryland hopes to find traces of the slave at a 1830s plantation that inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe in the special “The Search for Josiah Henson…The Man Behind the Story of Uncle Tom’s Cabin: A Time Team America Special” (PBS, 8 p.m.), check local listings). Later, the Time Team investigates the ancient history of bison on “The Bones of Badger Hole” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The new “Rebellious Soul: The Musical” (VH1, 10 p.m.) is actually more of an extended music video for the recent album by K. Michelle, the “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star, also named “Rebellious Soul.” Of possible interest, though, is that it was directed by Idris Elba.
Another twelve performers take way too much time to set up their acts on a live edition of “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.). They could easily cut it down from two hours if they eliminated the unnecessary comments from the judges.
“Perception” (TNT, 10 p.m.) reaches its season finale with an assault at an assisted living place — by Pierce’s dad, played by Peter Coyote.
Shark Week week is over, but here’s the vibe they tried to create, in its original form: “Jaws” (Spike, 6:30 p.m.) followed by “Jaws 2” (Spike TV, 9:30 p.m.). I can’t imagine the number of ads it takes to stretch these things out to three hours.
They give freestyle rappers fake words to use on “Candid Camera” (TV Land, 8 p.m.). Alan Funt never did that!
Scrimmages aren’t going so well for the L.A. Kiss arena football team on “4th and Loud” (AMC, 9 p.m.). Could be that “rock and roll all night, party every day” regimen. Face it, the Atlanta Falcons are holding better scrimmages on “Hard Knocks” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
The fourth season finale of “Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker” (TLC, 9 p.m.) moves the competition to Vegas.
“Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) travel to Woodbridge, Va., for a tough competition.
The story of Benedict Arnold is told, with a slur, on “Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
Jamal is a little too vindictive on the second to last episode of “Tyrant” (FX, 10 p.m.) of the season.
Nathan encourages a no share policy for movie theater popcorn on “Nathan for You” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.).
A dozen films mark Paul Newman’s day on Turner Classic Movies, with “The Rack” (6 a.m.), “Until They Sail” (7:45 a.m.), “The Outrage” (9:30 a.m.), “The Prize” (11:15 a.m.), “Harper” (1:45 p.m.), “Rachel, Rachel” (4 p.m.), “Cool Hand Luke” (5:45 p.m.), “The Left-Handed Gun” (8 p.m.), “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (10 p.m.), “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (midnight), “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (2 a.m.) and “The Helen Morgan Story” (4 a.m.).
Baseball today includes Cincinnati at St. Louis (MLB, 8:15 p.m.).
And in tennis, the qualifying rounds begin for the U.S. Open (CBS Sports Network, 1 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Emma Stone, Howie Mandel, Maia Mitchell. The View: Jane Lynch, Teresa Giudice, Dina Manzo, Melissa Gorga, Sunny Hostin (rerun). The Talk: Florence Henderson, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinland, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Jason Santos (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Howie Mandel, Brandon McMillan, Meryl Davis & Charlie White (rerun). Wendy Williams: Naomi Campbell (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Novak Djokovic, Robby Johnson. Jimmy Fallon: Pierce Brosnan, Tavi Gevinson, the Madden Brothers. Jimmy Kimmel: Chloe Grace Moretz, Jon “Bones” Jones, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (rerun). Seth Meyers: Anna Paquin, Marc Maron, Elizabeth Karmel (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Susan Sarandon, Garrison Keillor (rerun). Carson Daly: Freida Mock, Sirah (rerun). Tavis Smiley: David Crosby (rerun). Arsenio Hall: Kevin Smith, Tasha Smith (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jessica Alba, Marcus Haney, Tove Lo. Chelsea Handler: Chloe Grace Moretz, Jeff Wild, Jen Kirkman, Brad Wollack.
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