The blood vs. water ploy is back on the 29th-go-round of “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) — and so is exile island. And of course host Jeff Probst. Tonight, the 18 castaways land in Nicaragua (there were going to be 20, but two women had to drop out). Among the pairs: baseball’s bigot John Rocker and Miss Michigan and, oh no, the “Twinnies” from “Amazing Race.
The 90 minute premiere paves the way for the finale of “Big Brother” (CBS, 9 p.m.), at which the jury will vote for the $500,000 winner, which almost certainly will be Derek — just as the $25,000 viewers’ choice prize should go to Donnie.
Mitch and Cameron are back from their honeymoon on the sixth season premiere of the Emmy-winning “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.). It’s part of a full night of family comedies with the returns of “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.) for season six, and “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) for season two. And a great new addition to the lineup is “Black-ish” (ABCC, 9:30 p.m.).
Rayna makes her choice between Deacon and Luke ron the third season premiere of “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.). It’s the 16th season premiere for “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC, 9 p.m.), which goes after Craigslist ads, and second for “Chicago P.D.” (NBC. 10 p.m.).
The second season finale of “The Bridge” (FX, 10 p.m.) seems like it is tying a lot of threads together, until it doesn’t.
A winner is named on the first season of the body-painting competition “Skin Wars” (GSN, 9 p.m.).
Seth Rogen returns for an episode of “The League” (FXX, 10 p.m.).
Early starting new series “The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and “Red Band Society” (Fox, 9 p.m.) both return for their second episodes.
“Key & Peele” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) return for a new season after “South Park” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) riffs on the racist name of the Washington NFL team.
Breakfast is the assignment on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
You think humans are spied on a lot: Fifty cameras planted in animatronic penguins spy on the species in a new “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings). “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) looks at ways scientists have tried to stay ahead of hackers. Then on “Secrets of the Dead” (PBS, 10 p.m.), they examine those bones they recently found in a parking lot purporting to be King Richard III.
The Wednesday night showcase of Melvyn Douglas movies on Turner Classic Movies continues with “I Never Sang for My Father” (8 p.m.), “Hud” (9:45 p.m.), “The Sea of Grass” (11:45 p.m.), “Advance to the Rear” (2 a.m.) and “The Americanization of Emily” (3:45 a.m.).
Baseball tonight includes Kansas City at Cleveland (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and San Francisco at Dodgers (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
In preseason hockey, it’s Arizona at Calgary (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Denzel Washington, Rosamund Pike. The View: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Stephen King. The Talk: Wayne Brady, Train, Scott Conant. Ellen DeGeneres: Eric Stonestreet, Andre Benjamin, Kiesza. Wendy Williams: Lenny Kravitz, Ian Drew. Meredith Vieira: Mariska Hargitay, Lisa Ling.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kelly Ripa, Jim Gaffigan, Paloma Faith. Jimmy Fallon: Andy Samberg, Kevin Durant, Kenny Chesney. Jimmy Kimmel: Patrick Dempsey, Lara Spencer, Young Jeezy. Seth Meyers: Stephen King, James Harden, Sam Hunt. Craig Ferguson: Judd Apatow, Jackie Guerrido. Carson Daly: Megan Boone, Self. Tavis Smiley: Gail Sheehy. Jon Stewart: Tia Torres. Stephen Colbert: Bill Cosby. Conan O’Brien: Luke Wilson, Dhani Harrison & Friends.