He’s been a key supporting player in a number of Showtime’s growing number of documentary and concert films, most recently on “Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued.” Now the prolific songwriter and recording artist gets the spotlight on a career-spanning bio film, “Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), a BBC production directed by Mark Kidel.
In it, the former Declan MacManus talks about the inspiration he got from his father, a jazz musician, and the constant urges in his career to upend expectations, leading to music in many fields. A few of Costello’s collaborations are noted as well, especially with New Orleans’ Allen Toussaint and the 1987 one with Paul McCartney, from which some unissued demos will be sampled. There’s also a lot of performance footage.
I can’t muster much excitement in yet another grim, darkly-lit comic book spinoff. But “Marvel’s Daredevil” (Netflix, streaming), which unleashed its whole season today, at least seems to keep the drama a little closer to reality than fantasy. Even so, the story of Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who conducts complicated fights through his other senses (and a whole lot of luck) undercuts the fighting, which consumes a lot of the first episode anyway.
Charlie Cox, who played Nucky Thompson’s Irish underling on “Boardwalk Empire” takes the central role; it’s good to see Deborah Ann Woll from “True Blood” back as someone in distress. Of course, you don’t need Netflix for Marvel fare. There’s always “X2: X-Men United” (Encore, 8 p.m.).
Here’s a sport that hasn’t had a reality show before (that I can think of). “Jump!” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) follows an accomplished Double Dutch jumprope team, training to keep their championship. It comes after a new episode of another exclamation pointed series, “Bring It!” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
The underrated “12 Monkeys” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) reaches its season finale.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Fareed Zakaria, Christina Bellatoni, Ross Douthat and Dave Barry are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.), back after a one week absence.
Broadway star Norm Lewis performs “Live from Lincoln Center” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), followed by artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tony Bennett and Robert Cray celebrating “International Jazz Day” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Was a love triangle behind a lethal injection in Houston? “Dateline” (NBC, 9 p.m.) tries to find out.
A pacifier tracker is presented on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Something lasting finally comes out of “Bering Sea Gold” (Discovery, 9 p.m.): A baby girl.
Oh, History channel, what’s become of you? “Ancient Aliens” (History, 9 p.m.) and “Hangar 1: The UFO Files” (History, 10 p.m.).
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) visits Monaco for the first time.
“Grace Helbig” (E!, 10:30 p.m.) was not nearly as good as I expected it to be.
Oh, this again: Red Sox at Yankees (MLB, 7 p.m.).
NBA action includes San Antonio at Houston (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Minnesota at Los Angeles Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.). Hockey has Islanders at Pittsburgh (NHL Network, 7 p.m.)
And the Masters (ESPN, 3 p.m.) moves to the second round.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Candice Bergen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Qaasim Middleton. The View: Patricia Arquette, Cedric the Entertainer, Niecy Nash, Mario Cantone, Garcelle Beauvais (rerun). The Talk: Jon Cryer, Jeremy Irvine, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Aniston, Miyavi (rerun). Wendy Williams: Regina King (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Alex Wagner, Gabrielle Union, Tiffani Thiessen. Queen Latifah: Carl Reiner, Jai Courtney (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Alabama Shakes (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Kevin James, Vanessa Hudgens, Dan White. Jimmy Kimmel: Matthew Perry, John Cena, For King & Country (rerun). Seth Meyers: Nathan Lane, Kristen Schaal, Borns (rerun). James Corden: Katie Couric, Jeremy Piven, Emmy Rossum, Olly Murs (rerun). Carson Daly: Evan Peters, the Re-Licked Project, Sierra Katow (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Bill Withers.