It sounds like a gag first used by David Letterman: people have to say whatever he tells them to say, even though it’s often weird or absurd or ultimately amusing. Ellen DeGeneres picked it up for her show and now she’s got a whole show about it, “Repeat After Me” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), with Wendy McLendon-Covey of “Reno 911” and “The Goldbergs” in charge, dictating who says what.
This time, it’s celebrity volunteers who agree to follow through in the hidden camera show that preys on everyday folks. First up are Ellen Pompeo, Harry Connick Jr. and Taye Diggs, who has to refer to himself in the third person, which in the past has not been a problem for him. “Repeat After Me” is the first of a couple of new network shows this season from DeGeneres, who obviously aims to spread her mirth from beyond her daily afternoon slot.
Elsewhere, it’s the finals of The 139th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (USA, 8 p.m.) a Best of Show is named at Madison Square Garden following three hours of competition.
If “19 Kids and Counting” (TLC, 9 p.m.), returning for its ninth season, can be considered a big family, the new “Our Little Family” (TLC, 10 p.m.) is a family of five, but all little people.
“Countdown to the Oscars: 15 Movies that Changed American Cinema” (ABC, 10 p.m.) is a countdown show looking toward’s Sunday’s event. More light duty for Robin Roberts.
The king of such countdowns is the ongoing 31 Days of Oscar on Turner Classic Movies, which continues with films from 1959 and 1960 with “Ben-Hur” (8 p.m.), “Psycho” (midnight), “Sunrise at Campobello” (2 a.m.) and “The Sundowners” (4:45 a.m.).
Two new episodes of “Parks and Recreation” (NBC, 8 p.m.) about Andy’s Johnny Karate show and Tom’s big night set the stage for next week’s series finale.
“New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.) goes to Portland; “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) is back in San Francisco.
There’s a storm, too, on “Switched at Birth” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.).
Just one episode tonight of “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Cougar Town” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) throws a prom.
“Sports Illustrated: The Making of Swimsuit 2015” (Travel, 9 p.m.) is not about how swim garments are made.
A new “Street Art Throwdown” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.) has a graffiti battle.
Reyna gets in trouble on “Justified” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Nuclear threats build on “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
There are just four young cooks left on “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m.) but they have to make 20 creme brûlées.
“Tosh 2.0” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) begins its seventh season.
On “Rizzoli & Isles” (TNT, 9 p.m.), Rizzoli jumps off a bridge.
Men’s college hoops tonight includes St. John’s at Georgetown (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Kentucky at Tennessee (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Baylor at Texas Tech (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Houston at South Florida (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Wake Forest at Notre Dame (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Saint Louis at VCU (CBS Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.), Michigan State at Michigan (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Texas at Oklahoma (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Auburn at Alabama (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), San Diego State at New Mexico (CBS Sports, 9:30 p.m.).
Women’s games include Oklahoma At Iowa State (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
Hockey includes Buffalo at New Jersey (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.). The NBA All Star break, meanwhile, continues.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Dylan McDermott, Angie Harmon. The View: John Slattery, Amy Morton, Ella Henderson, Naya Rivera & Ryan Paevey. The Talk: David Duchovny, Michael Yo, Greg Frey Jr. Wendy Williams: Geraldo Rivera, Leeza Gibbons. Meredith Vieira: NeNe Leakes, Flo Rida. Queen Latifah: “The Young and the Restless” cast, Meghan McCain.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Dakota Johnson, Twin Shadow. Jimmy Fallon: Taylor Swift, John Oliver, Imagine Dragons. Jimmy Kimmel: Kristen Bell, Chris Elliott, Big Sean. Seth Meyers: Matthew Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Anders Holm. Late Late Show: Kal Penn, Lindsay Sloane, Thomas Lennon. Carson Daly: Thomas Lennon, the WOlf, Dreaming Bull. Tavis Smiley: William H. Frey. Jon Stewart: Sienna Miller (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jack McBrayer, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Lauren Cohan.