There’s a lot going for “The Slap” (NBC, 8 p.m.), something different for network TV. It’s a remake of an Australian television series about the rift that happens when somebody strikes somebody else’s misbehaving child. There’s a terrific cast that includes Peter Sarsgaard, Uma Thurman, Zachary Quinto, Thomas Sadoski (who you’ll recognize from “The Newsroom”), Brian Cox, Melissa George and Thandie Newton.
The directing credits couldn’t be better either, with Lisa Cholodenko, fresh off of HBO’s “Olive Kitteridge” at the helm. And while you will have trouble with one or more of the characters here — they are built to be extreme in a way that doesn’t seem realistic in America — there is something intriguing here that has nothing to do with cops or hospitals or law (until the case goes to court, that is). Think of it as a malevolent “Parenthood.”
That Hollywood Week ends with the excruciatingly long announcement of who makes the Top 48 on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.), making one think: Shouldn’t they have cut it to 24?
Neil Patrick Harris is the subject on “Inside the Actor’s Studio” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
“Project Runway All Stars” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) fourth season finale.
“Simpsons” creator Matt Groenig pops up on “Portlandia” (IFC, 10 p.m.) to confront Spyke, who is making unlicensed Bart merchandise.
Castle-themed cake is the challenge on a new “Duff Till Dawn” (Food, 10:30 p.m.).
Giles Roen eats pigs’ feet in Newfoundland on “Million Dollar Critic” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
“Archer” (FX, 10 p.m.) spends a weekend with his baby daughter, until a enemy agent messes things up.
They’re calling “The Blacklist” (NBC, 9 p.m.) Thursday’s No. 1 drama, based mostly on its post-Super Bowl numbers. but it’s hard to believe it’s doing better than “Scandal” (ABC, 9 p.m.) or “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The Fourth of July opening of salmon season leads to tight competition on “Alaska: Battle on the Bay” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
“Morgan Spurlock: Inside Man” (CNN, 9 p.m.) peers into the world of dating apps just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Oscar contenders of 1949 and 50 are on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “The Gun Fighter” (8 p.m.), “The Third Man” (9:30 p.m.), “An American in Paris” (11:30 p.m.), “Born Yesterday” (1:30 a.m.) and “Father of the Bride” (3:30 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops tonight include Mississippi at Florida (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Northeastern at Hofstra (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.), Tulsa at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), American at Lehigh (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Purdue at Rutgers (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Michigan at Illinois (ESPN, 9 p.m.), St. Mary’s at BYU (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), SMU at Houston (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), California at Colorado (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Tennessee-Martin at Southeast Missouri State (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.) and Santa Clara at San Francisco (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Cleveland at Chicago (TNT, 8 p.m.). In hockey, it’s St. Louis at Tampa Bay (NHL, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Dakota Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal. The View: Naomi Campbell, Flo Rida. The Talk: Kunal Nayyar, Diana Madison, Dean Sheremet. Ellen DeGeneres: Michael Keaton, Rosamund Pike. Wendy Williams: Christian Rumpler. Meredith Vieira: Lucy Liu, Dennis Haysbert. Queen Latifah: Sheila E., Jane Seymour.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Tom Hanks, Sturgill Simpson. Jimmy Fallon: Colin Firth, Jack McBrayer, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the Weeknd. Jimmy Kimmel: Kiera Knightley, Tony Goldwyn, Incubus. Seth Meyers: Kevin Costner, Portia de Rossi, David Frei with Westminister Dogs. Late Late Show: Ryan Xie, Wayne Brady. Carson Daly: Spike Lee, Gap Dream, Tomm More. Tavis Smiley: Rosamund Pike, Laura Dern. Jon Stewart: Oscar Isaac (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Daniel Radcliffe, Andrea Martin, the Flaming Lips with Miley Cyrus (rerun).