L. Frank Baum’s 1899 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” has been reflected many times in film, most prominently in the iconic 1939 musical. But as many terrible variations that there’s been, there have been few as dour, bleak and inept as the new “Emerald City” (NBC, 9 p.m.), which steals the touchstones of the story for purposes of pushing “Game of Thrones” comparisons.
Shot in corners of Europe and fraught with one of those international productions, it makes Dorothy (Adria Arjona) a grown up nurse and Toto a German Shepard. The witches are weird women (though Glinda is Joley Richardson), and the Wizard is an odd ruler played by Vincent D’Onofrio, looking like a bloated Jim Morrison. He doesn’t hide behind a curtain, but a wig. And its producers, which include Shaun Cassidy, bring in guns and swords to the proceedings. If you want to do a bad saga, fine; just don’t bring “Oz” into it.
It comes accompanied by the start of the sixth and final season of “Grimm” (NBC, 8 p.m.), with which it is well suited.
The great documentarian Frederick Wisemen looks at one neighborhood in Queens in his latest epic, “In Jackson Heights” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Sleepy Hollow” (Fox, 9 p.m.) returns for its fourth season minus one of its prominent characters, Abbie Mills. It brings Ichabod to Washington, D.C. where he finds a new partner.
On the new “Ginormous Food” (Food, 8 p.m.), Josh Denny looks at oversized dishes across the U.S., beginning in Louisville.
The online “Degrassi: Next Class” (Netflix, streaming) begins its third season.
“20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.) picks up on the work actress Leah Remini has been doing investigating the Church of Scientology.
Rachel tries to repair her relationship with Paula on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (The CW, 8 p.m.). On a second episode at 9, she tries to save the job at her firm.
“Rosewood” (Fox, 8 p.m.) changes nights.
Vanessa Redgrave is featured on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution” (8 p.m.), “Agatha” (10 p.m.), “Julia” (midnight), “Out of Season” (2 a.m.), and “A Quiet Place in the Country” (4 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Kate Beckinsale, Cameron Dallas, Chris Hardwick. The Talk: Christina Ricci, Dr. Holly Phillips. Harry Connick: Naomi Campbell, Adria Arjona. Ellen DeGeneres: Mark Wahlberg, Dev Patel. Wendy Williams: Matt Roush, Carrie Keagan.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Charlie Rose, Hayden Panettiere, Jack Maxwell. Jimmy Kimmel: Kevin Costner, Andy Richter, K. Trevor Wilson (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Kevin James, Tim Gunn, the Weeknd (rerun). Seth Meyers: Matthew McConaughey, Mel B, Cameron Dallas, Craig Finn (rerun). James Corden: Jessica Alba, Kate Mara, Ken Jeong (rerun). Carson Daly: Thomas Haden Church, Strawberry Girls, Zulay Henao (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Kathy Bates (rerun).