In addition to its great track record in original programming, Netflix is starting to amass a number of worthy series unavailable elsewhere. The latest is “Happy Valley” (Netflix, streaming), a British import starring Sarah Lancashire of “Coronation Street” and “Last Tango in Halifax” as a tough police sergeant. At least she looks like a working officer, unlike the female officers in the U.S., who tend to look like models. The six part series concerns a staged kidnapping gone wrong.
Tattoo shows are popping up on TV like, well, tattoo parlors on main street. The latest, “Epic Ink” (A&E, 10:30 p.m.) focuses on a shop in Oregon that specializes in pop culture related designs.
Zingbot makes his annual groan-worthy appearance on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.), with aid from Kathy Griffin, who later appears on “Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.).
The gabby, self-satisfied, suspiciously well dressed “Preachers of L.A.” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.) return for a new season.
Two new British agents, David Parnes and James Harris, invade the “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) for its seventh season, providing further competition for returning agents Josh Flagg and Josh Altman.
Christina Applegate returns as guest judge as the top six finalists dance with all-stars on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.). And the band Rixton performs.
Sonya finds out the truth about her sister’s death on “The Bridge” (FX, 10 p.m.).
A chemistry teacher is kidnapped on “Legends” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Kelsey Grammar looks into his past on “Who Do You Think You Are?” (TLC, 9 p.m.). Apparently he was both a fussy psychiatrist and a malevolent children’s TV show sidekick.
A midseason finale comes for “Suits” (USA, 9 p.m.) with Mike getting into more trouble.
Looking for an anti-Uber storyline to surface someday on “Taxi Brooklyn” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Are they showing two episodes of “Extant” (CBS, 9 and 10 p.m.) because of the urgency of the story or they want to get to the end of it quickly?
Perez Hilton guest stars on “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land, 10 p.m.), if he actually qualifies as a star.
Five acts advance on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.) after a recap of the 12 performances this week at 8.
There’s only about a week left for “Chelsea Lately” (E!, 11 p.m.) so the special episodes are beginning, including tonight’s when a number of people including Joel McHale, Chris Franjola, Loni Love and Sarah Colonna interview Chelsea Handler for a change.
“Top Chef Duels” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) pits Mike Isabella against Antonia Lofaso.
The great character actor Thelma Ritter is featured today on Turner Classic Movies with “Perfect Strangers” (6 a.m.), “How the West was Won” (7:30 a.m.), the 1953 “Titanic” (10:15 a.m.), “Daddy Long Legs” (noon), “The Second Time Around” (2:15 p.m.), “For Love or Money” (4 p.m.), “With a Song in My Heart” (6 p.m.), “The Mating Season” (8 p.m.), “Pickup on South Street” (10 p.m.), “The Model and the Marriage Broker” (11:30 p.m.), “Pillow Talk” (1:30 a.m.) and “Birdman of Alcatraz” (3:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes Mets at Oakland (MLB, 3:30 p.m.), Angels at Boston (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and San Diego at Dodgers (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Hugh Jackman, Shailene Woodley, Science Bob Pflugelder. The View: Poppy Montgomery, Gilbert Gottfried, Sunny Hostin (rerun). The Talk: Tyler Perry, Emily Mortimer, Ryan Scott (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Kate Winslet, Josh Radnor, Lake Street Dive (rerun). Wendy Williams: Kristin Chenoweth (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kathy Griffin, Ken Burns, Jeremy Messersmith. Jimmy Fallon: Jared Leto, Amy Brenneman, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Tom Bailey. Jimmy Kimmel: Ted Danson, Eva Green, Jake Owen (rerun). Seth Meyers: Regis Philbin, John Henson, Broods (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Ricky Gervais, Keb’ Mo’ (rerun). Carson Daly: Veronica Roth, the Preatures, MisterWives (rerun). Tavis Smiley: George Takei, Mira Sorvino. Arsenio Hall: DeSean Jackson, Wild Bill Wichrowski & Johnathan Hillstrand, Death (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Pierce Brosnan, Jaime King, Hampton Yount. Chelsea Handler: Joel McHale, Chris Franjola, Sarah Colonna, Loni Love.