Ah, vertebrates! Let’s hear it for them/us. Premier natural history broadcaster Sir David Attenborough traces the history of Earth’s creatures with backbones that began in the sea and continued on land and in the sky in “David Attenborough’s Rise of the Animals — Triumph of the Vertebrates” (Smithsonian Channel, 8 p.m.).
With considerable enthusiasm, he travels to a new hotbed of fossils, China, to discover hundreds of early creatures, some previously unknown for a first hour that covers up to the end of the dinosaurs. Then they concentrate on the conquering hairy ones in “Dawn of the Mammals” at 9.
A guy is named winner on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.). But since they have two hours each of the judges, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr., get to perform. Also set to perform: The Jacksons, Chris Brown, Echosmith, Fall Out Boy, Jamie Foxx, Vance Joy, Ricky Martin, Michael McDonald, Janelle Monae and New Kids on the Block.
Never caught onto “Mad Men” (AMC, 6 p.m.)? Willing now to try and catch up, before Sunday’s series finale? Then put the coffee on and start watching; they’re playing every episode in order from now until Sunday night, starting with the pilot at 6. See Sally grow up, Pete mature and Don sort of stay the same.
Chris O’Dowd’s comedy “Moone Boy” (Hulu, streaming) in which he plays the Irish imaginary friend of a schoolboy in its third and final season online. O’Dowd wrote and directed the six episodes.
It’s getting down to it on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) with just six left; the finale is in a week.
Sue graduates on the sixth season finale of “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.). Other finales come for “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.) and “CSI: Cyber” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Phil’s a little too excited about senior skip day on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Dre is upset that Junior has joined the Young Republican Club on “black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Two new reality shows begin tonight. On “Consumed: The Real Restaurant Business” (CNBC, 10 p.m.) five New York eateries fight to stay alive. College a cappella groups prepare for competition on the new “Sing It On” (Pop, 10 p.m.).
This month’s Wednesday night salute to actor Sterling Hayden continues on Turner Classic Movies with “Zero Hour!” (8 p.m.), “The Golden Hawk” (9:30 p.m.), “Ten Days to Tulara” (11:15 p.m.) and “Battle Taxi” (12:45 a.m.).
NBA playoffs tonight have Washington at Atlanta (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Memphis at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
In the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s game 7 of Washington at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Mets at Cubs (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jane Fonda, Tatiana Maslany, Nastia Liukin. The View: Mika Brzezinski, Anthony Anderson, Guillermo Diaz, Raven-Symone. The Talk: Kelsey Grammer, Perez Hilton, Marc Murphy, Wynonna Judd. Ellen DeGeneres: Elizabeth Banks. Wendy Williams: Lorraine Bracco, Jordi Lippe. Meredith Vieira: Scott Wolf, Melissa Rivers. Queen Latifah: Fran Drescher, Natalie Dormer, Holly Robinson Peete (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Julia Roberts, Paul Shaffer, Ryan Adams. Jimmy Fallon: Rebel Wilson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Faith No More. Jimmy Kimmel: Elizabeth Banks, Marc Maron, Earl Sweatshirt with BadBadNotGood. Seth Meyers: Matt Dillon, Tatiana Maslany, Will Butler. James Corden: James Marsden, Kat Graham, Brandon Flowers. Carson Daly: Zach Woods, Years & Years, Down and Outlaws. Tavis Smiley: Susan Sarandon, Jack Henry Robbins. Jon Stewart: Reza Aslan. Conan O’Brien: Rob Lowe, Jay Baruchel (rerun).