If you’re buying a Canadian series about gold mining in northern Ontario called “Fool’s Gold” (Animal Planet, 7 p.m.), what would be a better day to not only premiere it, but show every single episode, than April Fool’s Day?
It happens today, when the paranoid Todd Ryznar and his clueless crew begin their work in an episode called “A Miner Setback.” The episodes run straight through to 11 p.m., when they start showing it again and again until 6 a.m. tomorrow. And if you were looking for, say, some animals on this show? April Fool!
Also perfect for April Fool’s is the documentary short “Unhittable: Sidd Finch and the Tibetan Fastball,” a film about a prospect written about by George Plimpton in 1985 that seemed too good to be true. The film by Peter Sillen, now showing online, will also debut on “SportsCenter” (ESPN, 6 p.m.) tonight, with part one. Part two will show Friday with the whole thing screens on ESPN Saturday at 9 p.m.
Adam Richman returns to food based TV with with less of a competitive attitude, looking for more unusual dishes on the new “Man Finds Food” (Travel, 9 p.m.). It begins in Los Angeles where he samples Peruvian/Koream/Mexican dishes. In a second episode he’s in Chicago.
Also traveling for their libations Sean Patton and Jay Larson visit speakeasies in San Francisco on the season premiere of “The Best Bars in America” (Esquire, 9 p.m.) and the “Brew Dogs” (Esquire, 10 p.m.) start their new season at their own brewery in Scotland.
The two night miniseries “The Dovekeepers” (CBS, 9 p.m.) comes to a conclusion, just in time to make way for a second Mark Burnett-Roma Downey Biblical miniseries this weekend, “A.D.”
The three part documentary “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) concludes with an overview of new and upcoming approaches to the disease.
Rob Morrow guest stars as a TV personality interviewing a rape victim on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.). Norm MacDonald returns as a nutty uncle on an April Fool’s themed episode of “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.). Kathie Lee Gifford guest stars on “The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
It’s Jay’s birthday on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.). On “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.), it seems Dre never told anyone he canceled his vascectomy years before.
The merge occurs in “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.), which means new buffs if nothing else.
The Top nine perform on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) before Kelly Clarkson shows them how it’s done.
The constantly brooding Hardy wonders with Ellie if they’ve been wrong all along on “Broadchurch” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
“General Hospital” (ABC, 2 p.m.) marks its 52nd birthday today when three of its current cast members, Jason Thompson, Rebecca Herbst and Ryan Carnes flash back to become the medical trio that started the show in 1963, played by actors John Beradino, Emily McLaughlin and Roy Thinnes respectively. As nice a salute as that might be, there can’t be a whole lot of people watching who will remember the early days.
The onetime rapper learns how to make pizza on the season premiere of “Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers” (Cooking Channel, 8 p.m.).
With the mujahideen visiting, a whole new round of wig shopping will be in order on “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Scarlett is hesitant to open a Rascal Flatts tour on “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.) possibly because their music is terrible.
A 20-film salute to Anthony Quinn is on tap Wednesdays all month on Turner Classic Movies, starting with “Viva Zapata!” (8 p.m.), “Zorba the Greek” (10:15 p.m.), “Lust for Life” (12:45 a.m.), “City for Conquest” (3 a.m.) and “Knockout” (5 a.m.).
Best April Fool’s themed movie? Probably “What About Bob?” (Showtime 2, 9 p.m.). But there is also a night long marathon of “Fool’s Gold” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.).
Hockey tonight includes Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.) and Colorado at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.). Basketball includes Indiana at Boston (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Clippers at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Spring training games include St. Louis vs. Mets (MLB, 1 p.m.), Milwaukee vs. Cubs (MLB, 4 p.m.) and Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Pharrell Williams, Vanessa Hudgens, Mark Consuelos. The View: Lennon & Maisy, Hunter Zampa, Maya Penn, Ruby Castro and Jonas Terickas, Padma Lakshmi. The Talk: Vin Diesel, Jenny Hutt, Alejandra Schrader. Ellen DeGeneres: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Benson, Charlie Wilson. Wendy Williams: Rosie Perez, Jodeci. Meredith Vieira: Jeremy Piven, Grace Helbig. Queen Latifah: Brooke Shields, Steve Madden, Paul Stanley (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Sen. Al Franken, Billy Eichner, David Sanborn. Jimmy Fallon: Pharrell, Roma Downey, Mark Burnett, Milky Chance. Jimmy Kimmel: Dwayne Johnson, Rihanna, Death Cab for Cutie. Seth Meyers: Ludacris, Charlie Cox, Dead Sara. James Corden: Katie Couric, Jeremy Piven, Emmy Rossum, Olly Murs. Carson Daly: Peter Facinelli, Laura Welsh, Maz Jobrani. Tavis Smiley: Robert English, Anton Yelchin. Jon Stewart: Kevin Hart (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Ringo Starr, Rob Corddry, Waters.