Labor Day Sunday and our thoughts turn to Jerry Lewis, unceremoniously relieved of the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon that made billions for the organization in a run of over 40 years. After he was dislodged from the show in 2011, it’s been reduced from 21.5 hours to just two hours — about as long as an average “Bachelor in Paradise” episode.
Still, what is now called the “2014 MDA Show of Strength Telethon” (ABC, 9 p.m.) features a roster of performers that include Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo, above, with performances from American Authors, Aloe Blacc, Jason Derulo, Sara Evans, Fall Out Boy, Bret Michaels, Matt Nathanson, R5, Rascal Flatts and LeAnn Rimes. But no Jerry.
Some of your serialized Sunday night shows are skipping Labor Day weekend. So the finale of “The Leftovers” is next week on HBO, for example. But the season finale of “Falling Skies” (TNT 9 p.m.) has a two hour season finale.
There is something new from “The Strain” (FX, 10 p.m.), where a cure may be found, and “Masters of Sex” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), where Johnson tries her skills on her own. “Ray Donovan” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), meanwhile, arranges a deal.
Donny’s gone from “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) and now those remaining will suffer for it somehow.
Here’s what the former “Tonight” show host is up to: “Jay Leno’s Garage: The Ultimate Car Week” (CNBC, 10 p.m.).
The second of three episodes of “Breathless,” the period hospital saga, runs on “Masterpiece Mystery!” (PBS, 9 p.m.), check local listings).
“The Great Food Truck Race” (Food, 9 p.m.) reaches Austin.
“Game of Crowns” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) reaches a first season finale with the Legends of the Crown winner.
“Naked and Afraid” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) holds a “Snaketacular Clip Show.”
So was “Breaking Bad” (AMC, 6 p.m.) really the drama of the year? See for yourself during tonight’s marathon.
Demian Bichir of “The Bridge” narrates a documentary about Hispanics who yearn to attend college on “The Last Border” (Fusion, 8 p.m.).
A look into the disappearance of a 23 year old girl from Washington state earlier this year is the focus of “Lauryn is Lost: A Disappeared Special” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Any reason to watch “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 and 9 p.m.) when the every episode marathon on FX trudges into its penultimate day?
Camping may not be the best fit for Kim on “Don’t Be Tardy..” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Scott’s not so happy about Kourtney’s pregnancy news on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (E!, 9 p.m.).
Summer may not quite be over, but the Summer Under the Stars event on Turner Classic Movies ends today with the work of Alan Ladd, with “Wildcat Bus” (6 a.m.), “Joan of Paris” (7:15 a.m.), “The Iron Mistress” (9 a.m.), “The Man in the Net” (11 a.m.), “The Glass Key” (12:45 p.m.), “The Deep Six” (2:15 p.m.), “Drum Beat” (4:15 p.m.), “The Big Land” (6:15 p.m.), “Shane” (8 p.m.), “This Gun for Hire” (10:15 p.m.), “The Blue Dahlia” (midnight), “Santiago” (2 a.m.) and “Guns of the Timberland” (4 a.m.).
Here’s a double feature we can get behind, for the music alone: “Superfly” (Starz, 8 p.m.) and “Shaft” (10 p.m.).
Just a few college football games today, including Alabama A&M vs. North Carolina A&T (ESPN, 11:45 a.m.) and SMU at Baylor (Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Detroit at White Sox (TBS, 2 p.m.) and Cleveland at Kansas City (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
It’s Phoenix at Minnesota (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) in the WNBA western conference finals.
Early round play continues in the U.S. Open (CBS, 11 a.m.; Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Rep. Tom Cole, former Gov. Bill Richardson. CBS: Sen. John McCain, Reps. Peter King and Adam Smith. NBC: Sen. Dianne Feinstein. CNN: Sen. Robert Menendez, Reps. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger and Adam Kinzinger, former Rep. Tom DeLay. Fox News: Rep. Mike Rogers.