I’m warming to the 1980s spy yarn “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.), partly in contrast to next week’s very similar network series “Alliegience.” There is still the question of why Cold War dramas have to also involve family dynamics, but as season three begins, it looms large, as the Moscow overseer has requested that the spies posing as suburban D.C. family now recruit their 14 year old into the business.
It undercuts the usual weekly spy caper, which seems to involve sex almost as much as it involves wigs and costumes. The period setting seems to set the series apart as does the acting by a cast that includes Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell and Noah Emmerich.
Who doesn’t love penguins? A number of hit documentaries have been made about them. And here’s one set among the hoards of tourists at Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula, who come to photograph the birds and buy postcards at what’s called the Penguin Post Office there. It’s the subject of an agreeable episode of “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
On the new reality series “Kart Life” (truTV, 10 p.m.) follows families who put their kids in the expensive and dangerous sport of go karting which becomes super competitive in the big finals in South Bend.
The first part of the finale of “Top Chef” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) begins in Mexico.
Lucious tries to snare a top artist from a rival label on a new “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) looks into the reasons for sinkholes.
Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips have a “One Day at a Time” reunion in tonight’s “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land, 10 p.m.).
“Suits” (USA, 10 p.m.) returns from a winter hiatus with Mike being pushed to quit.
Turner Classic Movies pays tribute to Richard Attenborough, who died in August at 90, with “The Sand Pebbles” (8 p.m.), “10 Rillington Place” (11:15 p.m.), “The Angry Silence” (1:15 a.m.), “Seance on a Wet Afternoon” (3 a.m.) and “The League of Gentlemen” (5 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops include Southern Methodist at South Florida (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Temple at Central Florida (CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.), Seton Hall at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Duke at Notre Dame (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.), Texas Tech at Oklahoma (ESPNews, 7:30 p.m.), Kansas at TCU (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), East Carolina at Memphis (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), St. John’s at Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) and Stanford at Washington (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Brooklyn at Atlanta (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Washington at Phoenix (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.). Hockey includes Pittsburgh at Washington (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.) and Chicago at Los Angeles (NBC Sports Network, 10:30 p.m.).
And the Australian Open (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.) has the women’s semifinals.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Donald Trump, Katherine Jenkins, Miss Universe Paulina Vega. The View: Oscar Isaac, Lacey Chabert & Raven Symone. The Talk: Felicity Jones, Jaymes Vaughan, Marisa Churchill. Ellen DeGeneres: Usher, Octavia Spencer. Wendy Williams: Tony Danza, Noah Levy. Meredith Vieira: Anthony Mackie, Billy Bush, Kit Hoover, Martha Stewart, Betsey Johnson. Queen Latifah: Octavia Spencer, Trey Songz (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ben Schwartz, Marty Stuart. Jimmy Fallon: Martin Short, Gabrielle Union, Mary J. Blige (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: David Beckam, Elle Macpherson, Vance Joy. Seth Meyers: Kristin Chenoweth, Casey Wilson, Brandy Clark (rerun). Late Late Show: Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Rhea Seehorn, Bridget Everett, Whitney Cummings. Carson Daly: Jason Schwartzman, Alex Ross Perry, Rey Pila, Leo Flowers (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Michael Connelly, Titus Welliver, Nnenna Freelon. Jon Stewart: Oscar Isaac. Conan O’Brien: Katherine Heigl, Drew Brees, Milo Greene.