There’s a reason the woods was the location for the darkest of Grimm’s tales. The thought of children getting lost in them can still be scary and those deep-set traditions are bend Patrick McHale’s splendid new storybook-style creation “Over the Garden Wall” (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.).
Using the same kind of unbridled imagination he’s used to make “Adventure Time” one of the most interesting animated shows, “Garden Wall” follows a pointy-hatted, self-doubting lad named Wirt with his talkative little brother Greg and his pet frog — all lost in the woods and finding strange and often foreboding outposts along the way. A plain-speaking bluebird helps them, a little unwillingly, as they escape each danger.
“Wall” is a standout for all the care taken in the background and design, given a warm coloration in contrast with the genre’s penchant for bright colors. It’s matched by some pretty cool music. While celebrity voices aren’t stressed, Elijah Wood is just right as Wirt, Melanie Lynskey giving an edge to the bluebird, and Collin Dean doing the kid voice in a manner so well done in McHale productions. As mildly threatening as situations get, humor is the prevailing balance and “Over the Garden Wall” whose meticulousness makes other cartoons seem dashed-off. It’s a miniseries that runs two episodes a night all week at 7.
Cartoon could be counted on for a lot of strong stuff tonight, including a new episode of the funny and absurdist “Mike Tyson Mysteries” (Cartoon Network, 10:30 p.m.).
The conclusion to the first rate adaptation of “Olive Kitteridge” (HBO, 9 p.m.) has more action, pathos and realistic moments between mother and grown son as well as a neat coda with Bill Murray. Those who watched Sunday will be watching anyway.
The awards show itself isn’t until Wednesday, but to get you ready here’s “Countdown to the CMA Awards: 15 Songs That Changed Country Music with Robin Roberts” (ABC, 10 p.m.), with Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, the Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride and Tim McGraw.
The severe electricity shortage in India is a problem for an industrial town of Kanpur, where lights are off more than half the day. The film “Powerless” by Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar, on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), shows how locals cope.
In the new “Euros of Hollywood” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) provides an opportunity to make fun of foreigners who’d be attracted to California glitz, such as the Madonna of Albania.
Oh sure, it’s LL Cool J’s character who gets arrested for murder on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 10 p.m.). Chris O’Connell just gets to direct.
Monday Night Football features Colts at Giants (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
Jesse Metcalfe is a guest on “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
In case you wanted to know more about the former “Love & Hop Hop Atlanta” cast member, here’s “K.Michelle: My Life” (VH1,, 9 p.m.).
The problem with a prequel is that you know Gordon couldn’t kill the Penguin on “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.). He comes to regret that fate tonight.
With a new album as hot as her’s is, you’d think Taylor Swift was slumming as an advisor during knockout rounds of “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
“Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 8 p.m.) spills the beans to Michael.
Halloween is over, but “Sleepy Hollow” (Fox, 9 p.m.) goes on, with Katrina in danger.
Failed automotive experiments of past seasons are collected on the special “Top Gear: Ambitious but Rubbish” (BBC America, 9 p.m.).
Jennifer Lawrence’s breakout role came in 2010’s “Winter Bone” (CMT, 8 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies is highlighting the biggest stars of the silent era in films on Mondays all month, starting with the great female stars — Mary Pickford in “Poor Little Rich Girl” (8 p.m.), Clara Bow as the original it girl in “It” (9:30 p.m.), Gloria Swanson in “Sadie Thompson” (11 p.m.), Pola Negri in “The Wildcat” (12:45 a.m.), Louise Brooks in “Pandora’s Box” (12:15 a.m.) and Lillian Gish in “Way Down East” (4:45 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jessica Chastain, Michael C. Hall. The View: Kerry Washington, Joy Behar. The Talk: Roseanne Barr, Ellen K. Gail Simmons. Ellen DeGeneres: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Quvenzhane Wallis. Wendy Williams: Perez Hilton, Joe Calderone. Meredith Vieira: Jennifer Lopez, Laurie Holden, Elizabeth Smart, George Takei. Queen Latifah: Jon Cryer, Casey Wilson, Tim Snell.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Martin Short, Father John Misty. Jimmy Fallon: Anne Hathaway, Gael Garcia Bernal, Stevie Nicks. Jimmy Kimmel: Nathan Fillion, Gina Rodriguez, Fall Out Boy. Seth Meyers: Kerry Washington, Michael C. Hall, Joe Hill. Craig Ferguson: Joel McHale, Laila Lalami. Carson Daly: Gillian Anderson, Alt-J, Thug Kitchen. Tavis Smiley: Rep. Adam Schiff, Jon Secada. Jon Stewart: Jake Gyllenhaal. Stephen Colbert: Chuck Todd. Conan O’Brien: David Mizejewski, Matt Donaher.