Stephen Soderbergh has caught onto the rhythms of quality serialized TV. He already directs every shot of the underrated “The Knick.” Now he’s back producing a series that is a variation on his own 2009 film of the same name that glamorizes essentially the world of prostitution.
Written and directed by Amy Seimeta and Lodge Kerrigan, “The Girlfriend Experience” (Stars, 8 p.m.) describes a second year law student who gets involved in an escort service that is not all about the sex, we are told. Some men want class companionship as well.
What’s haunting bout the series may be that it stars the enigmatic Riley Keough, who also happens to be Elvis Presley’s granddaughter. Another interesting aspect of the show is that it’s a half hour long (but they show two episodes to start).
The 26th MTV Movie Awards (MTV, VH1, BET, TV Land, Comedy Central, 8 p.m.) is run on all of Viacom’s networks to give it a better chance of making an impact beyond the room where it’s shot, which happens to be the Warner Brothers backlot in Burbank. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shares co-hosting duties with Kevin Hart, who would have rather hosted the Oscars.
It’s a different kind of film awards show where movie of the year is between “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Deadpool,” “Jurassic World,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Creed” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which has the most nominations overall, 11. Will Smith and Melissa McCarthy will also win special awards.
The murder of his character on “Vinyl” (HBO, 9 p.m.) has turned out to be the crux of that series, unfortunately. Now, Andrew Dice Clay plays opposite it in “Dice” (Showtime, 9:30 p.m.), a series which may not exaggerate his own on his own life so much since it’s already been kind of exaggerated. Natasha Leggaro co-stars as his girlfriend.
The last ever episode of “Togetherness” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.) has Michelle trying to save her charter school if not her marriage.
Reaching its first season finale is “Billions” (Showtime, 10 pm.), which may or may not reconcile the battle between the two main characters.
Returning for second season is “Fear the Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) which gives the zombie tale a change of scenery as it takes to the sea to start. By now, the series may overall be more credible than the original show, which ended its season last week. Nonetheless, “Talking Dead” (AMC, 10 p.m.) is still around.
Marty considers a corporate buyout as season five of “House of Lies” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) begins.
On a new “Call the Midwife” (PBS, 8 p.m.), Barbara is stuck between an expectant mother and her dockworker husband.
A landslide threatens on the third season finale of “When Calls the Heart” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.).
“Madam Secretary” (CBS, 8 p.m.) closes in on Boko Haram.
A false alarm turns into an actual murder investigation on “Grantchester” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Look who’s back: the “Shahs of Sunset” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), to start its fifth season chronicling the posh Persians.
Ray has to rescue Hannah from her summer road trip and Shoshanna is back from Japan on “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
Rumplestiltskin is in demand on “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
There’s nothing new on “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth” (Showtime, 8 p.m.), so they recap what’s happened so far.
Mothers and daughters sometimes fight, even on “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Violin, math, martial arts and dance are mastered by some “Little Big Shots” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Linda gets a babysitting job on “Bob’s Burgers” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
The second season of the “Spring Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.) begins with an emphasis on berries.
Some flashbacks provide some context to what’s happened on “The Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Scott Foley finds he’s connected to the Salem witch trails on “Who Do You Think You Are?” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
“Mr. Selfridge” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) has to settle a gambling debt or help the Dolly twins’ career.
Tonight’s topic on “The Carmichael Show” (NBC, 9 p.m.) — mass incarceration.
On “Quantico” (ABC, 10 p.m.), they learn about human trafficking.
“The Real Housewives of Potomac” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) close their first season with the first half of their first reunion show.
Phil plans a house party on “The Last Man on Earth” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
“Elementary” (CBS, 9 and 10 p.m.) plays two.
A double play of Cinderella musicals “The Glass Slipper” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “The Slipper and the Rose” (TCM, 9:45 p.m.) make way for a couple of silent films featuring Mabel Normand, “The Extra Girl” (TCM, 12:15 a.m.) and “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” (TCM, 1:30 a.m.) with Charlie Chaplin. Still later are a couple of Spanish classics, “Death of a Cyclist” (TCM, 3 a.m.) and “Peppermint Frappe” (TCM, 4:30 a.m.) with Geraldine Chaplin.
Baseball includes Boston at Toronto (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Yankees at Detroit (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Hockey has Philadelphia at Islanders (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.).
In basketball, Golden State at San Antonio (NBA, 7 p.m.).
And in golf, the final round is played of The Masters (CBS, 2 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
CBS: Bernie Sanders, John Kasich. NBC: Sanders, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. CNN: Sanders, Hillary Clinton. Fox News: Barack Obama.