Ben Whishaw of “Spectre” and “The Danish Girl” stars in a compelling new miniseries “London Spy” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) in which he plays a clubbing guy who falls for a a straight-laced investment banker Edward Holcroft (of “Wolf Hall”) who subsequently disappears. Guided by Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling, he endeavors to find out what happened. Written by Tom Rob Smith and directed by Jakob Verbruggen, it’s a handsome looking mystery that won’t demand a longtime commitment — it’s only five episodes.
Jonathan Krisel is one of the most in-demand comedy directors around and two of his current works play opposite each other tonight: the delightfully deadpan “Baskets” (FX, 10 p.m.) as well as the reliably nutty “Portlandia” (IFC, 10 p.m.), returning for a new season tonight with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein becoming characters who both go to a Flaming Lips show and two who stay home and try to experience it virtually. And Armisen is also the manager who tries to get the group back together again so they will play.
Shawn Mendes sings in the third season premiere of “The 100” (The CW, 9 p.m.) in the aftermath of the big battle that ended season two.
A new doc series “Dark Net” (Showtime, 11 p.m.) looks at various kinky uses of the internet, such as the guy who meets a girl who abuses him.
A timely replay of Alison Ellwood’s documentary “History of the Eagles” (Showtime, 7:55 p.m.) is scheduled in honor of Glenn Frey the band member who died Monday.
The season finale of the unsolicited offshoot “Heroes Reborn” (NBC, 8 p.m.) is also the series finale. The network is not renewing the effort.
The dismaying aspect of the new “Recipe for Deception” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) is not that chefs are given secret ingredients but that the host of the show is a guy who spent six years recapping episodes of “Top Chef” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“My 600-Pound Life” (TLC, 8 p.m.) is of course followed by “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” (TLC, 9 p.m.), a two hour show that runs opposite “My Diet is Better Than Yours” (ABC, 9 p.m.), also two hours.
Preliminary auditions are already over on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Harry Hamlin guest stars on “Mom” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Final challenges before New York Fashion Week occur on “Project Runway: Junior” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
Will has doubts on the first day of his new job on “Colony” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Work of the art director William Cameron Menzies is being featured on Thursday nights all month on Turner Classic Movies. Tonight’s films are from the 1940s, with “Foreign Correspondent” (8 p.m.), “The Pride of the Yankees” (10:15 p.m.), “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (12:30 a.m.), “Address Unknown” (3:15 a.m.), “Kings Row” (4:45 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops tonight include Memphis at Cincinnati (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Kentucky at Arkansas (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Iowa at Rutgers (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Mount St. Mary’s at Sacred Heart (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Ohio State at Purdue (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Belmont at Tennessee Martin (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Arizona State at California (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Rice at Alabama Birmingham (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s (ESPNU, 11 p.m.) and Utah at Washington State (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Clippers at Cleveland (TNT, 8 p.m.) and San Antonio at Phoenix (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
And third round play begins at the Australian Open (Tennis, 7 p.m.; ESPN2, 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Kelsey Grammer, Daymond John, Grace. The View: Rev Run, Tyrese Gibson. The Talk: Zendaya, Debbie Matenopoulos, Poppy Montgomery. Ellen DeGeneres: Chelsea Handler, Gina Rodriguez. Wendy Williams: Marlon Wayans. The Real: Angelique Rivera. Meredith Vieira: Josh Holloway.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Christian Slater, Josh Radnor, Iggy Pop. Jimmy Kimmel: Zac Efron, Malin Ackerman, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals. Jimmy Fallon: Sen. Marco Rubio, Sarah Silverman, Wet. Seth Meyers: Paul Giamatti, Aubrey Plaza, Frank Bruni, Josh Freese. James Corden: Rashida Jones, Lily James, Sean Hayes, Borns. Carson Daly: Priyanka Chopra, Waves, Aja Naomi King (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Patti Smith. Trevor Noah: Jemele Hill. Conan O’Brien: Eva Longoria, Jose Andres, Marques Ray.