The appealing new “Patriot” (Amazon, streaming) takes a quirky road to spy thriller as an intelligence officer played by Michael Dorman goes undercover, just barely makes his assignment to pose as an employee in a Milwaukee pipe company in order to stop Iranian nuke building. One of his weaknesses seems to be in confessing all of his thoughts through folk songs on open mic nights.
Terry O’Quinn, who plays his high level government dad, joins him in a Townes Van Zandt song. Michael Churnus plays his his congressman brother. Kirkwood Smith is his demanding boss. Like TV’s “Fargo,” it blends odd character and near-miss tension in what quickly becomes an absorbing tale.
Also online, Terry Crews hosts the pointless international competition series on an “American Ninja Warrior” type obstacle course called “Ultimate Beastmaster” (Netflix, streaming).
The other ballet slipper drops on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) as the New York Ballet perform the other two George Balanchine works at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris that they didn’t do last week: “Sonatine” and “Symphony in C.”
Perhaps you’d rather not spend further TV time with the odd mother on “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” but here she is on a dating show, following what Khloe Kardashian would call a revenge makeover, “Mama June: From Not to Hot” (WE, 10 p.m.).
One investment on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.) goes over the $100 million mark. Then the sharks are the subject of “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The host of “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) is taking credit for the professional decline of the offensive Milo Yianoppolis this week. But his interview with the racist right wing provocateur was a little chummy. This week’s guests are Sen. Angus King, Rep. Darrel Issa, Seth MacFarlane, Asra Nomani and Fran Lebowitz.
A bad idea for prison reform comes from Thailand, where prisoners can fight for their release in Muay Thai matches, as seen in the documentary “Prison Fighters: 5 Rounds to Freedom” (Showtime, 8:30 p.m.).
“Vice” (HBO, 11 p.m.) returns for its fifth season, just in case you haven’t been getting enough from the nightly
Charlemagne the God turns to a live format on the third season start of his “Uncommon Sense Live” (MTV, 11:30 p.m.).
A viral video unleashes a curse on “Sleepy Hollow” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Mike entices his daughters to church on “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Allison finds a lump on “Dr. Ken” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
On “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.), Danny and McGarrett move uranium through the jungle.
“MacGyver” (CBS, 8 p.m.) is blamed for a terrorist bombing.
Damon and Stefan work together on “The Vampire Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.0 to protect Elena’s casket.
On “Reign” (The CW, 9 p.m.) Gideon shows what life would be for Mary if she chose love.
A female astronaut is found dead on “Rosewood” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“Emerald City” (NBC, 9 p.m.) fell off the Yellow Brick Road some time ago.
Deadly attacks on scientists are investigated on “Grimm” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Nuggets are found on top of a mountain on “Gold Rush” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
“Paranormal Lockdown” (TLC, 9 p.m.) travels to Illinois and Indiana.
They’re still in the S’s on Turner Classic Movies’ alphabetical 31 Days of Oscar, with “The Sheepman” (6 a.m.), “Shenandoah” (7:30 a.m.), “Show Boat” (9:30 a.m.), “The Silver Chalice” (11:30 a.m.), “Singin’ in the Rain” (2 p.m.), “The Slipper and the Rose” (3:45 p.m.), “Small Town Girl” (6:16 p.m.), “Some Like It Hot” (8 p.m.), “Spartacus” (10:15 p.m.), “Speedy” (1:45 a.m.) and “The Spirit of St. Louis” (3:30 a.m.).
NBA action includes Boston at Toronto (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and San Antonio at Clippers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Central Michigan at Toledo (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Siena at Monmouth (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Oakland at Green Bay (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Akron at Buffalo (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.), Dayton at Davidson (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Manhattan at Iona (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Oregon State at California (Fox Sports 1, 10 p.m.).
Women’s games include Creighton at Xavier (Fox Sports 2, 7 p.m.).
Here’s good news: Your first spring training game of the season: Philadelphia vs. Yankees (MLB, 1 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: F. Murray Abraham, Jerry O’Connell. The View: Howie Mandel. The Talk: Alicia Silverstone, Craig Robinson. Harry Connick: Malin Ackerman, Clive Standen. Ellen DeGeneres: Ryan Seacrest, John Mayer, Rachel Lindsay. Wendy Williams: Melissa Rivers. The Real: Cocoa Brown.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Allison Williams, Cush Jumbo, Carmen Lynch. Jimmy Kimmel: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Hugh Jackman, Mandy Moore, Chronixx. Seth Meyers: John Oliver, Zosia Mamet, Brann Dailor (rerun). James Corden: Vin Diesel, Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson, Deepika Padukone, OK Go (rerun). Carson Daly: Johnny Galecki, Foals, Inbar Lavi (rerun).