She was only on “Saturday Night Live” for one season. But since then, Michaela Watkins has been a highlight in a number of comedies from “Enlightened” and “Trophy Wife” to “Married.” Finally she has her own starring role in a well-honed series about a recent divorced woman trying to get back into dating in the online “Casual” (Hulu, streaming).
She’s aided, probably too enthusiastically, by her younger brother, played by Tommy Dewey, who has developed his own one night stand dating app, and with whom she is temporarily living. And she still has to be a responsible role model of sorts for her teenage daughter (Tara Lynne Barr). Together they all muddle through their various relationships in a comedy from Zander Lehmann that is executive produced by Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Up in the Air”), who also directed the first couple of episodes.
Watkins’ nuanced and believable performance, though, is what makes “Casual” work, and is worth seeking out.
Late night TV might be red hot with fresh faces, but here’s what happens to the discarded hosts: They are sent out to the garage. “Jay Leno’s Garage” (CNBC, 10 p.m.) is his new post “Tonight” show series that concentrates on his automotive love.
Talk about spoiler alerts. The title of the new series “They Took Our Child: We Got Her Back” (Lifetime Movie Network, 10 p.m.) tells you everything about the real life cases they cover.
David Attenborough is back and talking birds on the premiere of “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
Later, the hunting industry of Africa is examined in the documentary “Blood Lions” (MSNBC, 10 p.m.).
Pitbull guest stars as himself on a new episode of “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Also returning for new seasons is both “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.), back for its fourth season; and “Supernatural” (The CW, 9 p.m.), returning for its 11th (!).
The usual season finale for “Teen Mom 2” (MTV, 9 p.m.) comes in the form of exit interviews with Dr. Drew Pinsky.
Turner Classic Movies salutes some of the best cinematography in black and white tonight with “The Good Earth” (8 p.m.), “Citizen Kane” (10:30 p.m.), “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (12;45 a.m.), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (2:45 a.m.) and “Air Force” (5 a.m.).
The National League Wild Card game tonight has the Cubs at Pittsburgh (TBS, 8 p.m.).
The NHL season begins with a double header, Rangers at Chicago (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and San Jose at Los Angeles (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Rooney Mara, Gina Rodriguez, Abby Wambach. The View: Gov. John Kasich, Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T. The Talk: Nina Dobrev, Tyler Oakley, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Julianne Moore, Usain Bolt, Thomas Rhett. The Real: Iyanla Vanzant. Meredith Vieira: Tony Goldwyn.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Gina Rodriguez, Ben Bernanke, Tame Impala. Jimmy Kimmel: Keanu Reeves, Guillermo del Toro, Thomas Rhett. Jimmy Fallon: Kate Winslet, Norman Reedus. Seth Meyers: Joel McHale, Sara Bareilles. James Corden: Jamie Lee Curtis, Sharon Osbourne, Elyes Gabel. Carson Daly: Michael Shannon, Cat Power, Branden Jenkins-Jacobs. Tavis Smiley: Slavoj Zizek, Jewel. Trevor Noah: Evgeny Afineevsky. Conan O’Brien: David Mizejewski, Nasim Pedrad, Robert DeLong.