A man who has a blind date with a troll — a real, snuggle toothed, hairy troll — would seem a terrible, sexist joke. But since Jay Baruchel is there, in the surprising new comedy “Man Seeking Woman” (FXX, 10 p.m.), the scene works as part of the wry, sad-sack humor.
In his world, a raincloud seems to always follow him, also dropping dead pigeons. When he sees who his ex is dating, it’s Hitler — an impossibly old, wheelchair-bound Fuhrer. If anyone else were in the midst of this fantastical funk, it’d be just another “Willard.” But the likable nerd Baruchel makes it work, and so does the strong team behind it, with production by Lorne Michaels and direction by Jay Krisel.
It’s a good night for comedy all around with the anticipated second season of “Broad City” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.), with Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson in desperate search for an air conditioner with Seth Rogen and Kumail Nanjiani guest starring. It’s accompanied by the fourth season return of “Workaholics” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
Today’s the day the former TV Guide Network becomes something called Pop. Their first new show under the name is “Rock This Boat: New Kids on the Block” (Pop, 8 p.m.), which chronicles a four-day cruise for fans of the old boy band, who are on hand to perform and interact. It’s the first in what is planned to be a series of seasons following specialized cruise fans for packs of fans.
Another new show on the network is billed as a “Behind the Music” for TV shows. The first “The Story Behind” (Pop, 9 p.m.) focuses on “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
The 42nd season premiere of “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) looks into the Large Haldron Collider on the Swiss-France border.
“Snoop & Son: A Dad’s Dream” (ESPN, 7 p.m.) is a new series that follows the progress of top high school football prospect Cordell Broadus, whose father happens to be the rapper Snoop Dogg.
The second to last episode of the season for “American Horror Story: Freak Show” (FX, 10 p.m.) promises to be pretty violent.
Remaining cooks get family members to become their sous chefs on “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
“American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) moves auditions to Kansas City.
Grant Snow guest stars as a cult leader on a new “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Cookie gets to work amid swirling controversy at the record company in “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Melissa & Joey” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.) cancel their honeymoon in Tahiti when she breaks her leg.
The cinematography of Charles Lawton Jr. is celebrated on Turner Classic Movies with screenings of his work in “The Lady from Shanghai” (8 p.m.), “A Raisin in the Sun” (9:45 p.m.), “Gunman’s Walk” (midnight), “Spencer’s Mountain” (2 a.m.) and “The Vanishing Virginian” (4:15 a.m.).
College hoops include North Carolina at North Carolina State (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Houston at East Carolina (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), St. John’s at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Texas Tech at Kansas State (ESPNews, 8 p.m.), UCLA at Southern California (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Iowa State at Baylor (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Xavier at Villanova (Fox Sports, 9 p.m.), San Diego State at Wyoming (ESPN2, 11 p.m.) and Stanford at California (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Washington at Chicago (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Portland (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Philadelphia at Washington (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Julianne Moore, Angela Bassett, Nina Teicholz. The View: George Lopez, Donny Osmond, Naya Rivera, Samantha Ponder. The Talk: Betty White, Jessica Radloff, Curtis Stone. Ellen DeGeneres: Benedict Cumberbatch, Felicity Jones, Meghan Trainor. Wendy Williams: Angela Bassett, Jillian Michaels. Meredith Vieira: Sarah Ferguson, Dan Diaz. Queen Latifah: Sherri Shepherd, Phil Koeghan (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Amanda Peet, Simon Helberg, Ryn Weaver. Jimmy Fallon: Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Gad, Panda Bear. Jimmy Kimmel: Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Omar Epps, Steel Panther. Seth Meyers: Carrie Brownstein, Mali Music. Late Late Show: Nick Cannon, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Linda Perry, Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood & Aisha Tyler. Carson Daly: Michelle Monaghan, You Me at Six (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Sens. Cory Booker, Tim Scott. Jon Stewart: Julianne Moore. Conan O’Brien: Patrick Stewart, Niecy Nash, Simon Amstell.