Sir Anthony Hopkins stars as the aging actor “Sir,” preparing to play King Lear as bombs fall outside during the air raids of World War II, and Ian McKellan his assistant in Richard Eyre’s remake of “The Dresser” (Starz, 9 p.m.), the play by Ronald Harwood, that in 1983 starred Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay. It’s the first pairing for Hopkins and McKellen in the first original movie for the network.
A timely set of talks for Memorial Day, “TED Talks: War and Peace” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) has an array of people, from actor Adam Driver to writer Sebastian Junger discuss war and peace in a session hosted by author Baratunde Thurston. And Rufus Wainwright performs.
It’s followed by specially programmed “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), French director Laurent Becue-Renard’s look at combat veterans in a California PTSD center, “Of Men and War.”
Reacting to the popularity of “Little Big Shots” and “Dance Moms,” the 13th season of “So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation” (Fox, 8 p.m.) even has a new extended title, devoted only to kids 8 to 13, each of whom is eventually paired with a mentor from a previous season. Returning judges Nigel Lithgoe, Paula Abdul and Jason DeRulo are joined by Maddie Ziegler of “Dance Moms”; Cat Deeley is back as host.
The Stanley Cup finals finally begins, with San Jose at Pittsburgh (NBC, 8 p.m.) getting prime time broadcast showcase for Game 1. But it will have real competition from Game 7 of the NBA’s Western Conference Finals of Oklahoma City at Golden State (TNT, 9 p.m.).
The 23rd season premiere of the original British version of “Top Gear” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) introduces its new cast member, the American actor Matt LeBlanc. Jesse Eisenberg and Gordon Ramsay show are special guests.
The fourth season of a series that went off its tracks long ago is “Mistresses” (ABC, 10 p.m.). As guest star, Jerry O’Connell has to take his shirt off.
Back for its second season is the cable adaptation of “Scream” (MTV, 11 p.m.).
Nate tries to get his job back on the season finale of “The Detour” (TBS, 9 p.m.).
Returning to TV after a spell when they had their TV tummies repaired are “Teletubbies” (Nick J., 8 a.m.).
Santa Claus somehow made the cut on “The Bachelorette” (ABC, 10 p.m.) and producers have already chosen their villains.
There are new episodes of broadcast shows, including “Person of Interest” (CBS, 10 p.m.) and “Houdini & Doyle” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
A men’s weekend is planned on “Southern Charm” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
George goes to Benedict Arnold’s ball on “Turn: Washington’s Spies” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
The Memorial Day lineup on Turner Classic Movies winds up with “Sergeant York” (9 a.m.), “55 Days at Peking” (11:30 a.m.), “The Great Escape” (2:15 p.m.), “The Guns of Nazarene” (5:15 p.m.), “Where Eagles Dare” (8 p.m.), “Kelly’s Heroes” (10:45 p.m.), “Darby’s Rangers” (1:15 a.m.) and “Objective, Burma!” (3:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes White Sox at Mets (ESPN, 1 p.m.) and Twins at Athletics (ESPN, 4 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Mariah Carey, Chris Byrne, Jussie Smollett. The View: Hillary Clinton (rerun). The Talk: Elton John, Keltie Knight (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Renee Zellweger, Asron Paul, Zendaya, Zara Larsson with MNEK (rerun). Wendy Williams: Michael Yo, Josefine Hernandez (rerun). The Real: Kenzie Hall. Meredith Vieira: Arianna Huffington, Daryn Kagan (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Anthony Anderson, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Coldplay. Jimmy Kimmel: Magic Johnson, Ludacris, Ciara, Ariana Grande. Jimmy Fallon: Amy Schumer, Richard Linklater, Zara Larsson. Seth Meyers: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Savion Glover, Brandi Carlile, Brann Dailor. James Corden: Connie Britton, Mark Cuban, Cameron Esposito. Carson Daly: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Gateway Drugs, Tiffany Haddish. Trevor Noah: Jason Sudeikis. Larry Wilmore: Kiki Lindhome. Conan O’Brien: Ray Romano, PewDiePie, Dulce Sloan.