The 31st season of “American Masters” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) starts with a terrific profile of filmmaker Sidney Lumet. The longer-than-usual biography by Nancy Buirski is built on a pair of interviews shot by Daniel Anker in 2008, three years before Lumet died at 86. He talks at length about his moral choices and there are long examples given from his remarkable films that include “12 Angry Men,” “Serpico,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Network,” “The Wiz,” “The Verdict” and “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.”
There are also rare examples of his equally prolific career directing live TV drama in the 1950s and his time before that as something of a child movie star.
His work in theater gave him the nuances to make great films of “Long Day’s Journey into Night” and “The Sea Gull.” It’s a great body of work and a satisfying biography.
Elsewhere, “Bones” (Fox, 9 p.m.) begins its final season.
And this still is going on: the investigation of the murder of Eugenie Boisfontaine as the second season starts for “Killing Fields” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
Miss John Oliver? He joins “Billy on the Street” (truTV, 10:30 p.m.).
Jessica has an interview for citizenship on “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
On the second season start of “Monster in My Family” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), Drew Peterson’s eldest son talks about the old man.
Grandmother comes to visit “The Mick” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
“The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.) celebrates New Year’s Day.
Ophelia and Jules have a bad night on “Sweet/Vicious” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
Two of the kids on “Kate Plus 8” (TLC, 10 p.m.) turn 16.
On “American Housewife” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), Anna-Kat is a kleptomaniac while on a playdate.
The crew on “Chicago Fire” (NBC, 9 p.m.) gets competitive.
“Hunting Hitler” (History, 10 p.m.) has a second season finale, so maybe they find the guy.
Kenny gets a tattoo on “The Real O’Neals” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Reagan moves into the loft on “New Girl” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
The insidious spread of Chris Hardwick continues as he hosts “The Wall” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
A businessman uses terrorism to manipulate the stock market on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Letty gets a chance to change her life on “Good Behavior” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Someone gets murdered in a self-driving car on “Bull” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
On the new dating show “Kiss Bang Love” (FYI, 10 p.m.) blindfolded couples choose potential mates based on their kissing. Not sure where the bang comes in.
“Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) takes a look at the president elect.
The celebrity packed “David Blaine: Beyond Magic” (ABC, 10 p.m.) gets a rerun.
Can “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) stand more plastic surgery?
A 1941 case in the Bronx is considered “A Crime to Remember” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.).
“Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” (A&E, 10 p.m.) talks to a former auditor of the organization.
Nationals are only six weeks away on “Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
The fourth season starts for “The Haves and the Have Nots” (OWN, 9 p.m.).
A swastika is found near Roswell on “What on Earth?” (Science, 9 p.m.).
“60 Minutes Sports” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) looks at skier Lindsey Vonn’s comeback from an injury.
“Inside the NFL” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) examines playoff matches.
A bull rider recalls “The Day I Almost Died” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
Need a new home improvement show? “Holmes and Holmes” (DIY, 10 p.m.) has a contractor help his son revamp his home.
“Ladies of London” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) celebrate the queen’s birthday.
Because you didn’t watch the first season, is it time to watch season two of “The Seven Year Switch” (FYI, 8 p.m.) when four new couples switch spouses.
Turner Classic Movies begins a month-long, 31-film Tuesday night showcase of prison films titled “Stars Behind Bars,” beginning with “Cool Hand Luke” (8 p.m.), “Brute Force” (10:15 p.m.), “Riot in Cell Block 11” (12:15 a.m.), “The Big House” (1:45 a.m.), “The Last Mile” (3:15 a.m.) and “Each Dawn I Die” (4:30 a.m.).
NHL action includes Buffalo at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.) and Los Angeles at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Basketball includes Utah at Boston (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Memphis at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops has Wisconsin at Indiana (ESPN, 7 pm.), North Carolina at Clemson (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Mississippi at Florida (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), St. Joseph’s at Rhode Island (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), East Carolina at Central Florida (ESPNews, 7:15 p.m.), Texas A&M at Kentucky (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Kansas State at Kansas (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Oklahoma at TCU (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and West Virginia at Texas Tech (ESPNews, 9:15 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Megan Boone, Dr. Wendy Bazilian, Mark Cuban. The Talk: Anthony Anderson, Cameron Mathison. Harry Connick: Danny Seo, Zoey Deutch, Gabriel Iglesias. Ellen DeGeneres: Ted Danson, Kaitlin Olson. Wendy Williams: Vivica A. Fox. The Real: Pam Grier.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Oprah Winfrey, Pretty Yende. Jimmy Kimmel: Taraji P. Henson, Jovan Adepo, Mike Posner. Jimmy Fallon: Justin Timberlake, Travey Ullman, Stanaj (rerun). Seth Meyers: Casey Affleck, Rebecca Romijn, Michael Che, Atom Willard (rerun). James Corden: Milo Ventimiglia, Janelle Monae, James Arthur. Carson Daly: Ryan Phillippe, John Hlavin, Guided by Voices, Alex Edelman (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Bonnie Raitt (rerun). Trevor Noah: Michael Che. Conan O’Brien: Louis C.K. (rerun).