For all the talent involved in — Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and producer Lee Daniels of “The Butler” fame — the new saga “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.) should be a lot better than it is. Instead, the soapy recording industry drama is a little flat and a lot like something we’ve seen before. As Howard’s mogul decides which of his not-quite-right sons to succeed him as CEO, one states the obvious, “It’s ‘King Lear.’”
Would that it were. Instead, it moves predictably, gaining a little bit of steam when Hanson’s character is sprung from prison for taking a drug rap. Music for the series is a little better than usual for these kinds of things, but the fight of underworld vs. straight world works better in 50 Cent’s “Power” on Starz. It all may improve, though.
Its existence at all is built on a faulty premise — that the creaky “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) can still help introduce a music-related drama, as it once did with “Glee.” But with ratings about a third of what they were at their height, and no star-making in recent seasons (what happened to the Meat Loaf-like winner from last year?), the formula just seems old.
There is stability on the judges’ table, though, with Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. back, doling out the nice instead of Simon Cowell’s more interesting mean. And the omnipresent Ryan Seacrest is back running the show. It will be the first season without Randy Jackson, but his role was so diminished last season it was like he wasn’t even there.
How much is the “People’s Choice Awards 2015” (CBS, 9 p.m.) at odds with critical preferences at other awards show? Well their top nominated TV shows are “Supernatural,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” with five each. Leading all nominees are Shailene Woodley and Sam Smith. So they might as well just call it the Teenage People’s Choice. Anyway, Iggy Azalea, Fall Out Boy and Lady Antebellum all perform the event live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre. And Alison Janney and Anna Faris of “Mom” host. Because they are apparently the people’s choice.
The third season of “Wahlburgers” (A&E, 10 p.m.) begins with a guest star – Red Sox star David Ortiz. And because we are so fascinated by the Wahlbergs, here’s Donnie Wahlberg in a reality show about his relationship of Jenny McCarthy to follow, “Donnie Loves Jenny” (A&E, 10:30 p.m.). With Seacrest back on “Idol” and McCarthy here, it’s like a week-late return of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
In the new scripted series “Hindsight” (VH1, 10 p.m.), Laura Ramsay is sent back in time to 1995 where she can’t figure out pagers and AOL accounts.
Neil Patrick Harris apparently got lost and guest stars on “American Horror Story: Freak Show” (FX, 10 p.m.).
France’s wildlife has a lot going on with red deer, golden eagles, brown bears, griffon vultures, wild boar and horseshoe bats. It’s all noted on a new episode of “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
A car crash puts things in perspective on a new “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Anthony Anderson’s Dre has manhood issues on “black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Another one of “The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC, 8 p.m.) is that its central character is dating.
It’s Dostoyevsky double feature on Turner Classic Movies with “The Brothers Karamazov” (8 p.m.) and “Crime and Punishment” (10:45 p.m.).
Elsewhere, “The Nutty Professor” (IFC, 8 p.m.) is reunited with “The Nutty Professor II” (IFC, 10:15 p.m.).
In advance of Sunday’s fourth season premiere, “Episodes” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) has a marathon.
Men’s college hoops includes North Carolina State at Virginia (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Seton Hall at Xavier (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Temple at Tulane (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Syracuse at Georgia Tech (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Colorado at Utah (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Kansas at Baylor (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), TCU at Kansas State (ESPNews, 9 p.m.), DePaul at Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at Belmont (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Nevada at UNLV (CBS Sports, 11 p.m.) and California at USC (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Houston at Cleveland (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Phoenix at Minnesota (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.). In hockey, Boston at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Rangers at Anaheim (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kellly & Michael: Forest Whitaker, J.K. Simmons, Shaun T. The View: Jerry Springer, Joshua Sasse, Michelle Williams. The Talk: Diana Madison, Aarti Sequeira. Ellen DeGeneres: Chris Pratt, Amanda Peet. Wendy Williams: Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy. Meredith Vieira: Matthew Hussey. Queen Latifah: Terry Bradshaw, Maria Bello, Jeff Leatham (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Julianne Moore, Marv Albert, Catfish & the Bottlemen. Jimmy Fallon: Liam Neeson, Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein. Jimmy Kimmel: Bill Maher, Nick Kroll, the Lone Bellow. Seth Meyers: Jane Lynch, Lucy Hale. Craig Ferguson: David Arquette, Jessica St. Clair, Esther Povitsky, Drew Carey. Carson Daly: Wes Bentley, Lemaitre (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Nas (rerun). Jon Stewart: Ava DuVernay. Conan O’Brien: Elizabeth Banks, Vinnie Jones, Sir Sly.