Yes, the combination of Billy Crystal, playing a sour version of himself, and Josh Gad, playing a similarly heightened version of himself as callow young comic, should be immediately more funny than it initially is on “The Comedians” (FX, 10 p.m.), the meta series that purports to show the behind the scenes dealings behind a fake sketch comedy show.
There’s something old fashioned about their conflict – that of the old being edged out by the undeserving young — and they both underplay their strengths in the early going of the show, which has a sharp supporting cast highlighted by Stephnie Weir as a delicate producer. But there’s funny stuff here and there, largely in the asides of each or often just in the tone the talented Gad uses. On the surface, of course, both are unlikable in a way that Jack Benny, in a similarly petulant way, never was. But the show gets better, trust me. Because how could it not?
It comes alongside the fifth season of the great “Louie” (FX, 10:30 p.m.) begins with more of a stated emphasis on comedy and less toward the longer form (but excellent) stories that came up in season four. It begins with a throwaway scene of a therapist’s inability to deal with the various life complaints of Louis C.K. and then an encounter in a high end cook wear store that pits him against the young. Back to business, in other words. Here’s a story from earlier this year that is less about plans for the new season than it is about a specific episode from last season.
Mike Rowe premieres a second season of “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” (CNN, 9 p.m.) by doing something nobody has to do, actually: bullfighting.
Octavia Spencer and Jaime Pressly guest star on “Mom” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Penny and Leonard argue on Will Wheaton’s podcast on a new “Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Barb turns to the media to exploit Carter and Aubry’s attempt to exit the country on a new “American Crime” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
On “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 9 p.m.), Meredith is mad when she learns of Owen and Amelia’s fling.
“Skee TV” (Fuse, 10:30 p.m.) is a new program that has nothing to do with either skiing or skeeball. Rather, it stars DJ Skee, who interviews stars and presents live performances from the Ivar Theater in Los Angeles. First guest: Machine Gun Kelly, the rapper not the Irish Prohibition-era mobster.
Troy Donahue is star on Turner Movie Classics tonight with “My Blood Runs Cold” (8 p.m.), “Rome Adventure” (10 p.m.), “A Distant Trumpet” (12:15 a.m.), “Susan Slade” (2:30 a.m.) and “Palm Springs Weekend” (4:45 a.m.).
In golf, the first round of The Masters (ESPN, 3 p.m.) gets under way in Georgia.
Baseball has Minnesota at Detroit (MLB, 1 p.m.) and San Francisco at San Diego (MLB, 6:40 p.m.).
NBA games include Chicago at Miami (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Portland at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Chicago at St. Louis (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Edie Falco, Scott Eastwood, Johnnyswim. The View: Craig Ferguson, Rocco DiSpirito, Mikie Russo, Cristela Alonzo, Stacy London (rerun). The Talk: Ludacris, Cedric the Entertainer, Niecy Nash, Tyler Oakley, Aida Mollenkamp. Ellen DeGeneres: Bette Midler, Bethenny Frankel. Wendy Williams: Deborah Norville, Melissa Garcia (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Hilary Swank. Queen Latifah: Mario Lopez, Cary Elwes (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Courtney Love, Chris Elliott, Rhiannon Giddens (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Madonna, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Jimmy Kimmel: Liam Neeson, Octavia Spencer, AWOLnation (rerun). Seth Meyers: Taraji P. Henson, Carice Van Houten, Keith Alberstadt. James Corden: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon, Aubrey Plaza (rerun). Carson Daly: Morgan Spurlock, Above & Beyond, Jamie Lee (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Daina Ramey Berry, Eric Walther, Allyson Hobbs. Jon Stewart: Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Conan O’Brien: Amy Schumer, Kenny Smith, Joe Zimmerman.