For all of the dreams Oprah Winfrey has had for her OWN network, its biggest success has been Tyler Perry soap operas like “The Haves and the Have Nots” (OWN, 9 p.m.). Her way to augment that is to create her own soaps, first “Greenleaf” about a complex family, and now “Queen Sugar” (OWN, 10 p.m.) which is about another complex family.
Ava DuVernay, who directed “Selma” (which Winfrey produced) wrote and directed the first couple of episodes. And women have been hired to direct the other 11 episodes.
Its cast includes Retina Wesley of “True Blood” but, based on the book by Natalie Baszile, is so pocked with cliches and stilted writing it doesn’t get much past its soapy start.
Wanting, too, is “Start Up” (Crackle, streaming) ostensibly about a Bitcoin-like start up amid crime corners of Miami, with Martin Freeman putting on a hilarious New York accent to play a tough FBI agent. Adam Brody is slightly more believable as a hedge fund type willing to take a risk. But it too is kind of a mess.
Of the four couples left on “Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC, 8 p.m.), at least two will get engaged, the host promises. And one will definitely not work out — Nick Viall was announced last week as the next “Bachelor.” The most lively commentary on the show has come from “After Paradise” (ABC, 9 p.m.) thanks to its host Michelle Collins.
Another in what will be a week of 15th anniversary documentaries, Kirk Wolfinger’s “9/11 Inside the Pentagon” (PBS, 8 p.m.) concentrates on the D.C. aspect of the terror attacks. One reason there hasn’t been as many docs on the Pentagon: There’s no footage of the plane hitting.
“60 Minutes Sports” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) checks in on Von Miller, soccer agents and the Le Mans race.
New seasons come for “Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) and “Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
“America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.) continues its semifinals.
The second chapter of the three-part “Harley and the Davidsons” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) concentrates on early racing. Part one reruns at 7.
On “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Los Angeles Rams” (HBO, 10 p.m.) the roster is cut after the final preseason game.
“Mistresses” (ABC, 10 p.m.) reaches its season finale as does “Zoo” (CBS, 9 p.m.), with a pair of episodes.
Troubles visit the couples who were “Married at First Sight” (A&E, 8:45 p.m.).
“Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food” (Travel, 9 p.m.) visits Nashville and then at 9:30, Chicago.
On the third “Better Late Than Never” (NBC, 10 p.m.), William Shatner, Henry Winkler and the gang go to South Korea.
Some laster tag is played on “Halt and Catch Fire” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
Julianne Moore appears in the second season finale of “Difficult People” (Hulu, streaming).
I admit I haven’t been keeping up with “Milwaukee Blacksmith” (History, 10 and 10:30 p.m.).
A monthlong salute to slapstick film comedy Tuesdays and Wednesdays all month begins with the silent era, of course, first in the compilation “Golden Age of Comedy” (8 p.m.). It’s followed by Mabel Normand in “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” (9:30 p.m.) with Charlie Chaplin, “Mabel’s Wilful Way” (11:15 p.m.) and “Mickey” (11:30 p.m.). Then Max Linder in “Seven Years Bad Luck” (1:15 a.m.), Buster Keaton in “Coney Island” (2:30 a.m.) and Bothwell Browne in “Yankee Doodle in Berlin” (3 a.m.), and two Little Rascals shorts, starting with “The Champeen” (4:15 a.m.).
The U.S. Open (ESPN, noon and 7 p.m.) moves to men’s and women’s quarterfinals.
World Cup soccer qualifying matches today include Portugal at Switzerland (Fox Sports 1, 2:30 p.m.), Netherlands at Sweden (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.), France at Belarus (Fox Sports 2, 2:30 p.m.), Trinidad & Tobago at U.S. (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.) and Honduras at Mexico (Fox Sports 1, 10 p.m.).
WNBA action includes Minnesota at Los Angeles (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Chris Noth, Bradley Whitford, Martina McBride, Morris Chestnut. The View: Tracy Morgan. The Talk: Rita Wilson, Jussie Smollett, Shelley Wade (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Simone Biles, Channing Tatum. Wendy Williams: Royce da 5’9” (rerun). Meredith Vieiera: John Edward (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Harry Connick Jr., Ava DuVernay, Grouplove. Jimmy Kimmel: Andy Samberg, Dave Salmoni, Desiigner. Jimmy Fallon: Clint Eastwood, Molly Shannon, Mike Posner. Seth Meyers: Steven Tyler, Ali Larter, Nate Morton. James Corden: Zach Woods, Robert Winston, Edgar Ramirez. Carson Daly: Natasha Lyonne, Wild Nothing, Derek Cianofrance. Tavis Smiley: Willie J.R. Fleming, Mia Birdsong. Trevor Noah: Jeff Ross. Conan O’Brien: Samantha Bee, Eugene and Dan Levy, Nothing But Thieves (rerun).