Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry probably won’t last much longer on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 7 p.m.) than he did in the Republican Presidential Primary. He’s one of the oddball newsmakers enlisted for the 23rd season that also includes disgraced Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte. Olympians have a history of dominating on the show; the one with the best chance may be gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Also on board: Vanilla Ice, Babyface, Marcia Brady, Marilu Henner, Amber Rose and Terra Jole of “Little Women: L.A.” Cheryl Burke and Derek Hough return as professional partners.
As one dance floor opens, another one closes, with the two hour live finale of “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.) where the finalists of its “Next Generation” format are J.T. Church, 10; Emma Hellenkamp, 11; Tate McRae, 13 and Leon “Kida” Burns, 14.
Tod Lending spent five years making “All the Difference,” tracking the progress of two African-American teenagers from the South Side of Chicago, Krishaun Branch and Robert Henderson, to graduate from high school and be the first in their families to attend college. It premieres on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m.).
The third of four TV documentaries this month about the nearly 20 year old death of a child pageant star in Colorado starts tonight. “JonBenet: An American Murder Mystery” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.) is a three-part series.
The first Monday Night Football of the season is a two-fer: Pittsburgh at Washington (ESPN, 7 p.m.) followed by Los Angeles at San Francisco (ESPN, 10:15 p.m.).
The latest BBC adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s novel “The Secret Agent” (Acorn TV, streaming), a three-night series, stars Toby Jones a Russian spy in 19th century London. With Stephen Graham, Ian Hart and Vicky McClure.
The new primetime broadcast season doesn’t start for a week. But in the meantime is the “CBS Fall Preview” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) sandwiched between a pair of reruns of “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 and 9 p.m.).
Most daytime shows begin new seasons today. New to the daytime lineup is Harry Connick Jr., hosting “Harry” (check local listings). His first guest is a former co-star of his, Sandra Bullock. It also shows nightly at 8 p.m. on the Pop network.
Finalists go for the $1 million prize in the two hour season finale of “American Ninja Warriors” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) regroup after an accident.
Weird that the mother company would allow and promote “Bad Lip Reading and Disney XD present: High School Musical” (Disney XD, 8 p.m.), a half hour special in which some of the movie’s iconic songs are given new lyrics via the YouTube satirists of Bad Lip Readling.
Highlights of New York Fashion Week are the subject for the panel on “Fashion Police” (E!, 8 p.m.) with Melissa Rivers Giuliana Rancid, Brad Goreski, Margaret Cho and NeNe Leakes.
Not sure why “The $100,000 Pyramid” (ABC, 10 p.m.) is running on a Monday but its matches include Jon Lovitz vs. Deion Sanders and Rosie O’Donnell vs. Kathy Najimy.
“Adventure Capitalists” (CNBC, 10 p.m.) reaches its first season finale in the California redwoods.
Homesteaders prepare for spring on “Live Free or Die” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.).
Paige competes against a childhood rival on a new “Mary + Jane” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
Marshawn Lynch chases a wild hog on the island of Corsica on “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Eight days remain in the fishing season on “Wicked Tuna: North vs. South” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
Composer John Williams is honored on Turner Classic Movies today with a repeat of the “AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to John Williams” (8 p.m.) from June, the interaction of Steven Spielberg and Williams in “AFI’s Master Class – The Art of Collaboration” (11:30 p.m.) as well as some examples of his work: “Jaws” (9:15 p.m.), “The Sugarland Express” (12:30 a.m.) and “The Cowboys” (3:45 a.m.).
Five hours of the Paralympic Games (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.) are shown from Rio.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Patrick Dempsey, Sophia Loren, Chris Harrison. The View: Dr. Phil McGraw, Harry Connick Jr. The Talk: Ellen K. Ellen DeGeneres: Ryan Locate, Cheryl Burke, Celine Dion. Harry Connick Jr.: Sandra Bullock. Wendy Williams: Martha Stewart (rerun). The Real: Monica, Israel Houghton.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Dr. Phil McGraw, Alan Cumming, Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam. Jimmy Kimmel: Kaley Cuoco, Phil Rosenthal, OneRepublic. Jimmy Fallon: Renee Zellweger, Shaquille O’Neal, Eric Church. Seth Meyers: Victoria Beckham, Jussie Smollett, Colson Whitehead, Matt Garstka. James Corden: Meg Ryan, Adam Scott, Brian Fallon. Carson Daly: William Shatner, Henry Winkler, Wolf Parade, Bruce Kalman. Tavis Smiley: Samantha Power. Trevor Noah: T.I. Conan O’Brien: Timothy Olyphant, Nicole Byer, NeedToBreathe.