The only disappointment so far about “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” is that it’s only on once a week. The GOP Trumpathon in Cleveland, though, has necessitated “A Very Special Full Frontal Special” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) in which the sharp as nails satirist drives to Ohio in Herman Cain’s old campaign bus, changed but not completely obscuring its nearly forgotten former owner.
It will come very close to real time political satire, something that’s also happening all week on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) in which the host, transplanted to Cleveland all week, has been leavening his jokes with outrage.
Other funny stuff convention stuff, such as last night’s pitch perfect Melania Trump by Broadway’s Laura Benati, can be found on the live “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.), in New York, but timed to comment on the day’s events.
But there are two other unusual midweek editions of shows that count on political humor. A new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 11 p.m.) has guests Michael Moore, Joy Reid, dan Savage and Tony Schwartz. And, even odder since they’ve been on vacation since May, are Colin Jost and Michael Che from “Saturday Night Live,” doing a special “Weekend Update” (MSNBC, midnight), enlivening the network at a time when Brian Williams and Rachel Maddow are clearly getting loopy (having gone a little over the top in praising Junior’s speech Tuesday).
Face it, there’s just too much material to mine in the Republican National Convention (MSNBC, Fox News, 7 p.m.; PBS, 8 p.m.; CNN, 9 p.m.; ABC, NBC, CBS, 10 p.m.). Because I guess if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry.
Tonight’s roster includes the vice presidential pick, Gov. Mike Pence, and the one he left behind, Newt Gingrich, as well as losing candidates Ted Cruz and Scott Walker (who pulled out so long ago you probably forgot he was even in there). And they haven’t run out of Trump offspring to extol the old man’s virtues. So there is Eric Trump. I’m holding out, however, for an address from Baron.
“Vice Does America” (Viceland, 10 p.m.), they visit Mount Rushmore, protest the Keystone pipeline and meet the aforementioned Ted Cruz at the Iowa State Fair. This thing was shot a year ago obviously.
Fans of the Bravo network will want to tune in to see “The Bravos” (Bravo, 10 p.m.), an awards show hosted by Andy Cohen and given to its roster of reality stars. Mariah Carey gets a special award, probably for just showing up.
Louis Tomlinson of OneDirection is a guest judge on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.). They probably should have gotten Lily Tomlin.
Angela peeks at EvilCorp’s operations on a new “Mr. Robot” (USA, 10 p.m.).
The kimodo dragon gets its due on the special “Dragon Island” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.).
Jesse Eisenberg is probably the biggest name ever to drop in on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
I can’t even remember who is on the chopping block on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) — Tiffany, Natalie, Chris Christie? Anyway, there’s a veto competition tonight.
Edward Lee is guest judge on “MasterChef” (Fox, 8 p.m.), where contestants have 45 minutes and $20 to prepare four entrees.
A secret from Nusrat’s past is uncovered on “Tyrant” (FX, 10 p.m.).
On “Dual Survival: Untamed” (Discovery, 8 p.m.), Grady and Josh are shipwreck on an island in the South China Sea on one episode and getting altitude sickness in the Peruvian Andes in the next.
Cam thinks he might have been the killer on “American Gothic” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
If you didn’t think “Dating Naked” (VH1, 9 p.m.) could get creepier, one woman dates a guy old enough to be her grandpa.
A convention speaker is featured on “Duck Dynasty” (A&E, 9 p.m.).
“Little Women: LA” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) go to a drag queen convention.
Whitney gets mad at a shock jock on “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Mike has problems with a fellow prisoner on “Suits” (USA, 9 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) are still at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
The human race is threatened on “Wayward Pines” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
A contagious disease is spreading at the mansion on “Another Period” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.), too.
A Howard Hawks triple feature tonight with John Wayne — “Red River” (8 p.m.), “Rio Bravo” (10:30 p.m.) and “Rio Lobo” (1 a.m.) — highlights the day’s roster of westerns on Turner Classic Movies. During the rest of the day, it’s “Heaven with a Gun” (6:45 a.m.), “Day of the Evil Gun” (8:30 a.m.), “The Last Challenge” (10:15 a.m.), “The Rounders” (noon), “The Sheepman” (1:30 p.m.), “Cowboy” (3 p.m.), the original “3:10 to Yuma” (4:45 p.m.), “The Fastest Gun Alive” (6:30 p.m.) and much, much later, “McLintock!” (5 a.m.).
Baseball includes Mets at Cubs (ESPN, 2 p.m.) and San Francisco at Boston (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
WNBA action has Connecticut at Dallas (NBA, 12:30 p.m.) and San Antonio at Seattle (NBA, 3 p.m.).
After a one day break, Stage 17 of the Tour de France (NBC Sports, 8 a.m.) hits its hardest stretch with the first of three mountain stages. Today’s is from Bern to Finhaut-Emosson, Switzerland.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Mila Kunis, Jessie J, Keegan-Michael Key. The View: Julianne Moore. The Talk: Teresa Palmer, Dave Coulier. Chelsea Handler: Jane Lynch, Dr. Marci Bowers, EJ Johnson. Ellen DeGeneres: Will Smith, Greyson Chance (rerun). Wendy Williams: Leslie Jones, Chef Ahki. The Real: Dr. Mae Jemison (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Abigail Breslin (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Tony Goldwyn, Mark Cuban, Lewis Black, Cory Kahaney, Wyclef Jean. Jimmy Kimmel: Cara Delevinge, Jeff Ross, Culture Club. Jimmy Fallon: Mila Kunis, Mike Birbiglia, A$AP Mob. Seth Meyers: Taylor Schilling, Dominic Cooper, Royal Headache, Atom Willard. James Corden: Aaron Sorkin, Cheryl Hines, Scott Speedman, Michelle Obama. Carson Daly: Zoey Deutch, Escort, Elodie Yung (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Ralph Nader. Trevor Noah: Christiane Amanpour. Larry Wilmore: DeRay Mckesson. Conan O’Brien: Thomas Middleditch, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Woods.