They might have profiled everybody already on “American Masters” — even people who weren’t American. So now here’s another angle on the public television biography with “In Their Own Words” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). The first subject is a person who has her own subjects, Queen Elizabeth II. Former Prime Minister John Major, Ben Kingsley and director Stephen Frears are among those who weigh in, presumably with their own words.
There will be a big audience around to see it, judging from the social media success, anyway, for Monday’s first night of “Big Blue Live” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), which did not fail to deliver information and surprisingly cooperative whales who’d breach and blow in the background as experts talked in the foreground. Part two of the series from Monterey Bey, Calif., is tonight; it winds up Wednesday.
New kids fare online is “Puffin Rock” (Netflix, streaming), created by British funny man Chris O’Dowd.
If kids get their news from “The Daily Show” (which isn’t on at all this week), they may get their history lessons from “Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) the unfailingly amusing survey of famous moments retold by people who have clearly had too much to drink. A lot of talent gets involved in the subsquent slurringly narrated accounts, including tonight Greg Kinnear and Stephen Merchant. The topics are becoming more obscure, though, with the Bone Wars and the Civil War balloon corps covered tonight. So yes, you might learn something.
Joe Jonas, Jeff Dye, Cheryl Burke, Seth Green,Michelle Trachtenberg and Jenna Elfman play “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Semifinals begin on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.) with half of the remaining Top 24 performing.
Four consecutive episodes of “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 8, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) is a good way to get into the comedy.
The killer is unmasked on the season finale of “Scream: The TV Series” (MTV, 10 p.m.), which ironically comes a couple of days after the death of the original “Scream,” Wes Craven.
The rivalry between railroad tycoons Cornelius Vanderbilt and Daniel Drew is explored on “American Titans” (AHC, 10 p.m.).
“Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) replays its profile of Putin, maybe even updating it with his workout footage.
Muldoon investigates his uncles murder on “Public Morals” (TNT, 10 p.m.).
Nobody goes out for a nice dinner to celebrate “My Fab 40th” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Seth and Kate pull a heist on “From Dusk to Dawn: The Series” (El Rey, 9 p.m.).
“The Treehouse Guys” (DIY, 9 p.m.) build in Orcas Island, Wash.
Dashon’s wedding is put on hold on “WAGS” (E!, 10 p.m.).
Rita Ora is tricked on a new “Punk’d” (BET, 10:30 p.m.).
“Monica the Medium” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.) has to get a job in retail.
Students are already selling underwear to make money on “Startup U” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.).
Tuesdays in September, Turner Classic Movies will concentrate on five directors who worked during World War II to stir patriotism and promote the cause. It’s based on “Five Came Back,” a book by Mark Harris, who appears as co-host for the films.
The first director saluted is Frank Capra, who is represented not only by his film “Meet John Doe” (8 p.m.) but five of his seven “Why We Fight” shorts including “Prelude to War” (10:15 p.m.), “The Battle of Russia” (11:15 p.m.), “The Battle of Britain” (3:30 a.m.) and “War Comes to America” ( 5:15 a.m.).
Other Capra wartime shorts include his work on “Tunisian Victory” (1:45 a.m.), “The Negro Soldier” (12:45 a.m.), “Know Your Ally: Britain” (4:30 a.m.) and “War Comes to America” (5:15 a.m.).
Capra also created a series of little seen cartoons with the Warner Bros. creators, Private Snafu in such titles as “Coming!! Snafu” (10:10 p.m.), “Booby Traps” (11:10 p.m.), “Private Snafu vs. Maiaria Mike” ( 1:40 a.m.) and “Snafuperman” (4:25 a.m.).
Earlier today, it’s all about the kids in Westerns: “Billy the Kid” (8 a.m.), “The Cheyenne Kid” (9:45 a.m.), “The Oklahoma Kid” (11 a.m.), “The Kid from Texas” (12:30 p.m.), “Billy the Kid” (2 p.m.), “The Fargo Kid” (3:45 p.m.), “Wyoming Kid” (5 p.m.) and “Stagecoach Kid” (6:45 p.m.).
The U.S. Open (ESPN, 1 p.m.) continues first round play.
Baseball includes Yankees at Red Sox (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ryan Seacrest, Michael Douglas, Carli Lloyd. The View: Marc Maron, Derek Luke (rerun). The Talk: Regina Hall, Daniel Sunjata, Susan Feniger (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Michelle Obama, Madonna, Bellamy Young, Courtney Barnett (rerun). Wendy Williams: Taraji P. Henson, Shaun T. (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Jordin Sparks, Katie Lowes, Billy Bush, Kit Hoover, the Willis Family (rerun). Queen Latifah: Meghan McCain, cast of “The Young and the Restless” (rerun).
Late Talk
Jimmy Fallon: Liev Schreiber, Elle Fanning, Vince Staples. Jimmy Kimmel: Salma Hayek, Rami Malek, Atlas Genius. Seth Meyers: Kristen Wiig, Tituss Burgess, David Simon (rerun). James Corden: Chris Colfer, Paula Abdul, Steve Byrne (rerun). Carson Daly: Cat Deeley, Tyler Labine, Gorgon City, Brett Morgen (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Janet Napolitano. Conan O’Brien: Amy Schumer, Kenny Smith, Joe Zimmerman (rerun).