You would think a science based show like “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) would come down a little harder on anti-vaccine advocates, whose fear mongering and shot avoidance for their children has brought around the first measles epidemic in New York in half a century. But they also know that part of the way to get to people who have doubts about vaccines, though, is to take their fears seriously, so a lot of time in this patient hour have to do with reassurances, recalling the horror days of polio, admitting the minuscule risks and emphasizing studies that continue to show no credible connection between measles shots and the rise of autism. To get its point across, it comes across as a modern day public service announcement, which in a way it is.
The President’s Address (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, 9 p.m.) on a response to ISIS is likely to disrupt primetime schedules, though most devote no more than 10 or 15 minutes to the event, likely bumping schedules 15 minutes.
The live results show for “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 10:15 p.m.) is scheduled to run until 10:16 p.m., for example (it’s hour-long recap is set for 8 p.m.
One network that never breaks in for presidential addresses is The CW, whose schedule tonight offers “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
A NHL preshow for Thursday Night Football hosted by Jim Nantz, “Under the Lights” (CBS, 9:15 p.m.) is likely to fall under the shadow of this week’s horrific Ray Rice tape and Roger Goodell’s initial inaction.
Also, the live Thursday night eviction show for “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) has been permanently moved to Wednesdays. Victoria or Cody will go home — but with the reset button kicking in, everything might change.
A 13th season starts for “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) with 18 new contestants being yelled at for two hours. One on one battles continue, meanwhile, on “Top Chef Duels” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) with Rob Zombie as guest judge.
The first season of “Taxi Brooklyn” (NBC, 10 p.m.) pulls it into the garage.
“Extant” (CBS, 10:15 p.m.) is close to wrapping its season and Molly finally meets her offspring. The whole thing ends next week.
The second season finale of “Graceland” (USA, 10 p.m.) has them on the verge of arresting international drug dealer Carlos Solano.
“The Bridge” (FX, 10 p.m.) is edging toward its finale as well and must deal with the massacre of last week.
Three programs on Discovery tonight concentrate on the math and science of casinos with “Hustling the House” (Discovery, 8 p.m.), “Casino Secrets” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) and “Underground Poker” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
Juan Pablo Galvais, the most recent terrible “Bachelor” is back on TV and, sadly, it’s for “Couples Therapy” (VH1, 9 p.m.). The fifth season of the show that features the absolute bottom of the reality show D-list celebrities, willing to air dirty laundry in exchange for the possibility of renewed exposure are, in addition to Juan Pablo and Nikki (his choice, remember?): porn queen Jenna Jameson, Deena from “Jersey Shore,” “Big Brother” winner “Evel” Dick and Naughty by Nature’s Treach. Dr. Jenn Berman is host, counselor and referee who promises her “most volatile season.” And cross your fingers for season six: Ray Rice.
Despite that dodgy cast, I think I dislike the charlatans of “Preachers of L.A.” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.) even more.
A replay of Sunday’s special “9/10: The Final Hours” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) comes during the final hours of this year’s Sept. 10.
“Restaurant: Impossible” (Food, 10 p.m.) tries to get a Vietnamese restaurant in Fall’s Church, Va., out of debt.
Bad enough for former heartthrobs to get married at all, let alone chronicle the whole process on TV. Yet, here’s “I Heart Nick Carter” (VH1, 10 p.m.), about the plans of the former Backstreet Boy to marry a fitness specialist. (Not to be confused with MTV’s “Get Carter”).
This month’s Wednesday night salute to Melvyn Douglas on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Ninotchka” (8 p.m.), “Captains Courageous” (10 p.m.), “Theodora Goes Wild” (midnight), “She Married Her Boss” (1:45 a.m.), “The Vampire Bat” (3:15 a.m.), and “Two -Faced Woman” (4:30 a.m.).
Reunited again: “The Karate Kid” (ABC Family, 5:30 p.m.) and “The Karate Kid Part II” (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.). Wax on, turn off.
Baseball tonight includes Kansas City at Detroit (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Arizona at San Francisco (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
In major league soccer, it’s D.C. at New York (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
And in basketball’s FIBA World Cup quarterfinals it’s Serbia vs. Brazil (ESPN2, noon), and Spain vs. France (ESPN2, 4 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ashley Judd, Justin Long, Jimmie Johnson. The View: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Martin Short (rerun). The Talk: Sharon Stone. Ellen DeGeneres: Channing Tatum, Nicki Minaj. Wendy Williams: Sarah Jesica Parker (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Dr. Phil McGraw, Katharine McPhee, Death from Above 1979. Jimmy Fallon: Hugh Jackman, Nick Offerman, Luke Bryan. Jimmy Kimmel: Queen Latifah, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Vance Joy. Craig Ferguson: Cheryl Hines, Lawrence Block. Carson Daly: Lennon Parham, Jessica St. Clair, Washed Out, Semi Precious Weapons (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Rory Kennedy, Kem. Jon Stewart: Henry Kissinger. Conan O’Brien: Seth Green, Leslie Bibb, Sturgill Simpson.