The 34th season of “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) debuts with its 500th episode. With all this history, they’re bringing back “favorite” old players who supposedly changed the game during their session. This includes at least one two-time winners and faces by now so familiar you’re beginning to be sick of them (Ozzie?). And that goofy policeman with his spy shack. What made the reality competition one of the best was its reliance on ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and how they interacted. Increasingly, it’s full of people who have become professionals at playing this, and personalities you get the feeling Jeff Probst wish had gone further in their earlier attempts, but never did. All reality shows now rely on past players to bump it along — every subject on “Bachelor” is a past season loser now — but to fill a whole season with them is more exhausting to consider. I want a season of fresh faces.
Proving the administration’s Black History Month assertion that he’s “done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice,” Frederick Douglass makes an appearance on the new season of “Underground” (WGN America, 10 p.m.) played by series producer and recent “La La Land” star John Legend. Aisha Hinds continues to play Harriet Tubman.
The new Katherine Heigl drama “Doubt” lasted exactly two episodes before cancellation. To replace it, the network has brought back early the spin-off “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” (CBS, 10 p.m.) for its second season.
Also back tonight is the fifth and final season of “Ripper Street” (BBC America, 11 p.m.).
A shooter is identified in the spring return of the Keifer Sutherland drama “Designated Survivor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Dennis considers a life he left back in South Dakota on the 12th season finale of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FXX, 10 p.m.).
“Six” (History, 10 p.m.) also reaches its first season end.
And the first cable iteration of “America’s Next Top Model” (VH1, 10 p.m.) names its 23rd season winner.
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.), returning after a brief hiatus, has a few things to address.
“Man Seeking Woman” (FXX, 10:30 p.m.) ends its third season with Josh’s wedding to Lucy. Will they have to change the title of the show?
Still having fun with the light show that is “Legion” (FX, 10 p.m.). Its music is fun too: Tonight’s playlist runs the gamut from Radiohead to Kermit the Frog (no, really).
Diane gets a doll on a new “Blackish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Charles Barkley and DeAndre Jordan show up at Phil’s charity basketball game on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Michael Jackson’s kid Paris guest stars with Big Boi and Naomi Campbell on a new “Star” (Fox, 9 p.m.). Whence Blanket?
The “swear jar” gambit is used by “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
The Richard Burton salute on Turner Classic Movies continues with his films opposite Elizabeth Taylor: “Cleopatra” (8 p.m.), “The Taming of the Shrew” (12:15 a.m.) and “Doctor Faustus” (2:30 a.m.), followed by the 1975 TV documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: An Intimate Portrait” (4:15 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Syracuse vs. Miami (ESPN, noon), Duke vs. Clemson (ESPN, 2 p.m.), Nebraska vs. Penn State (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.), Georgetown vs. St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), TCU vs. Oklahoma (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Lehigh at Bucknell (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Virginia vs. Pittsburgh (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Texas Tech vs. Texas (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Xavier vs. DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 9:30 p.m.).
NBA action includes Detroit at Indiana (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Boston at Golden State (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Detroit at Boston (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Keri Russell, Jenna Elfman, Peter Gros, Christian Slater. The View: Eric Stonestreet, Audra McDonald. The Talk: Christopher Meloni. Harry Connick: Sofia Vergara, Jessie Graff, Gabourey Sidibe. Ellen DeGeneres: Jamie Foxx, Connie Britton (rerun). Wendy Williams: Becky G, Mic Lowry. The Real: Kym Whitley.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Mark Halperin, John Heilemann, Michael Ian Black, Jackson Galaxy. Jimmy Kimmel: Brie Larson, Kal Penn, Spoon. Jimmy Fallon: Mike Myers, Tim Ferriss, Steve Aoki, Louis Tomlinson (rerun). Seth Meyers: Anna Kendrick, Jordan Peele, Old 97s, Andres Forero (rerun). James Corden: Samuel L. Jackson, January Jones, Sting. Carson Daly: Patrick Warburton, Bomba Estereo, Erin Gibson, Bryan Safi (rerun). Trevor Noah: Tressie McMillan Cottom. Conan O’Brien: Patrick Stewart, Jerrod Carmichael, Kurt Braunohler.