The two or three new shows are evidence that a new TV season is finally here, but the proof is in the return of so many shows with new seasons to save us from reruns and American Ninjas.
Tonight’s schedule is packed with examples, though two networks choose to fill its prime time with lengthy reality competitions. “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.) is back for a new season, after introducing us exactly zero big name stars in its past eight seasons. Its judges table has Blake Shelton and Adam Levine joined by Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams.
“Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is in its second week and begging for its first elimination. So far, “Tardy for the Party” Kim Zolciak is scoring the lowest.
Weddings are usually the stuff of spring season finales, but tonight “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.) starts its ninth season with the wedding of Johnny Galecki’s Leonard and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting’s Penny.
“Castle” (ABC, 10 p.m.) returns for its eighth season with Stana Katic’s Beckett deciding not to run for Senate. Instead, she’ll become precinct captain. The seventh season start of “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 10 p.m.) has Chris O’Donnell’s Agent Collen on an undercover case he neglects to tell LL Cool J about.
But it’s a big night for second year shows, from “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.), in which Commissioner Gordon seeks help from the Penguin; to “Scorpion” (CBS, 9 p.m.), where the action will be ramped up even if Katherine McPhee’s cliffhanger kiss may have been misleading.
“Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (The CW, 8 p.m.) and “Significant Mother” (The CW, 9:30 p.m.) are new episodes, too, but they are both in the middle of their seasons. That makes an episode of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (The CW, 9 p.m.) the lone broadcast rerun for the first time in months.
Public television isn’t resting as the new season gets all the attention. On “America After Charleston” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), Gwen Ifill hosts a town hall meeting about the church shooting there, albeit months late. A woman chronicles her own experience as an undocumented person on “Don’t Tell Anyone” on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
It’s Jets at Indianapolis (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.) in Monday Night Football.
Sounds like she’s sautéing children on “Rachel Ray’s Kids Cook Off” (Food Channel, 8 p.m.).
You might think Will Ferrell a master of many sporting skills (or at least willing to try them_ with “Blades of Glory” (HBO, 8 p.m.) and “Ferrell Takes the Field” (HBO, 9:35 p.m.) back to back.
Omar Sharif, the dashing actor who died in July at age 83, gets his memorial tribute on Turner Classic Movies with the epic “Doctor Zhivago” (8 p.m.) followed by the musical “Funny Girl” (11:30 p.m.) and its sequel “Funny Lady” (TCM, 2:30 a.m.).
Baseball tonight includes Yankees at Blue Jays (MLB, 7 p.m.).
The WNBA semifinals move to game three with Indiana at Chicago (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Tulsa at Phoenix (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Preseason hockey begins with Carolina at Washington (NHL, 7 p.m.) and San Jose vs. Vancouver (NHL, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ryan Reynolds, Scott Bakula, Yo-Yo Ma. The View: Pamela Anderson. The Talk: Dianne Wiest, James Brolin. Wendy Williams: Stacy London, Jay Manuel, David Meister, Milly Almodovar. Meredith Vieira: Debra Messing.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Steph Curry, Sen. Ted Cruz, Don Henley. Jimmy Kimmel: Bill O’Reilly, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Robin Thicke. Jimmy Fallon: Carly Fiorina, Ryan Reynolds. Seth Meyers: Wesley Snipes, Randall Park, Martha Stewart, Stephen Perkins. James Corden: Allison Janney, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Leona Lewis. Carson Daly: Keke Palmer, the Julie Ruin, Rhys Thomas. Conan O’Brien: Fred Armisen, Chrissie Hynde, Circa Waves.