The opening of baseball season this week also means the return of the legion of dulcet-toned game announcers, on radio and TV, who will spend the season calling balls and strikes and yammering on and on. Such a character is Jim Brockmire, a creation of Hank Azaria, the actor well known for his legion of voice characters on “The Simpsons” from Moe to Apu to Chief Wiggum to Comic Book Guy. He finds a humanity in all of them and finds it again in the live-action “Brockmire” (IFC, 10 p.m.), in which he’s able to do the marvelous routine of profanely describing a horrible betrayal even while he does game play-by-play.
The premise of the series is that he finds his way back to reply minor league ball in rural Pennsylvania, on a team run by Amanda Peet, who shares his love for the game and his functional alcoholism. You’d think it would run dry of ideas right away, but it doesn’t, and the series is as welcome as night games.
Even before its finale tonight, the six part docuseries “Time: The Kalief Browder Story” (Spike, 10 p.m.) may have already had one effect: the closing of Rikers, announced last Friday.
Another surprise ending comes at the end of the documentary series “UConn: The March to Madness” (HBO, 10 p.m.). It was a good season for them to chronicle after all.
On the new “Talk Show the Game Show” (truTV, 10 p.m.) celebrities are given points for talk show tropes, from name dropping to plugs. The host — a cross between Billy Eichner and Tor Johnson — can be a little overbearing. The whole thing is frantic and fun, but is this something to watch regularly?
Weird things are happening this season on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) such as tonight, when an exiled castaway comes back.
“Secrets of the Dead” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) looks into the inventions that Leonardo da Vinci may or may have not made.
Another change for “Archer” (FXX, 10 p.m.) as it returns for its eighth season – a new network and 1940s Los Angeles noir setting.
Hey, the administration was right. Frederick Douglass is being recognized more and more. Proof of that is John Legend’s portrayal of him in “Underground” (WGN America, 10 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) starts its ninth season.
“Schitt’s Creek” (Pop, 9 p.m.) reaches its third season finale.
Male dancers on Madonna’s “Blond Ambition” tour reminisce in the documentary “Strike a Pose” (Logo, 9 p.m.).
Another president tries to reset his administration, this time on “Designated Survivor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
A new face is inducted into the “Great Feminists in Feminism Herstory Hall of Lady Fame” on a new “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
On “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.) Angelo worries that Cookie’s past will hurt his mayoral chances.
“Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.) goes to a wedding with a Roaring 20s theme.
Another tattoo pops up in a foster death on “Blindspot” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
The twins start to feel surprising on “Blackish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
“Bering Sea Gold” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) looks for a new place for gold.
Political implications rise in both cases on “Shots Fired” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
A man under investigation on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.) threatens to uncover his investigators’ secrets.
Tanya drops a bomb on Nico at “Little Women: Atlanta” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
“Major Crimes” (TNT, 9 p.m.) begins part one of a two part season finale.
Quentin and Julia go on a journey on “The Magicians” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
Burgess’ sister goes missing on “Chicago P.D.” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
American entrepreneurs vanish in Bangladesh on “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
“Nobodies” (TVLand, 10 p.m.) were lying about Melissa McCarthy’s involvement in their project. Now they try to apologize.
Fortune Feimster sings “Goodbye Earl” with Natalie Maines on “The Comedy Jam” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
“The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8 p.m.) discuss the Batman movie.
JJ cheats on an exam on “Speechless” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
Three victims are found tied to stakes in the desert on “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
“Total Divas” (E1, 9 p.m.) returns just in time for the WWE draft.
George pitches a new show on “Lopez” (TV Land, 10:30 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies pays tribute to Zsa Zsa Gabor, who died Dec. 18 at 99, with her films “Death of a Scoundrel” (8 p.m.), “3 Ring Circus” (10:15 p.m.), “Queen of Outer Space” (12:15 a.m.), “Moulin Rouge” (2 a.m.) and “Lili” (4:15 a.m.).
NBA action includes Cleveland at Boston (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Dallas at Clippers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball has Cubs at St. Louis (MLB, 1:30 p.m.) and Yankees at Tampa Bay (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Rangers at Washington (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Amanda Peet, Scott Eastwood, Scott Wolf. The View: Helen Hunt. The Talk: Rumer Willis, Diana Madison. Harry Connick: Hannah Simone, Lucien Laviscount, Sandra Lee, Sidney Torres. Ellen DeGeneres: Zach Braff, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran. Wendy Williams: Theresa Caputo, AJ Gibson (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sigourney Weaver, Zosia Mamet, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Steve Martin. Jimmy Kimmel: Lena Dunham, Eric Stonestreet, Riz Ahmed, Cold War Kids. Jimmy Fallon: Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Richie, Flo Rida, 99 Percent. Seth Meyers: Rashida Jones, Andrew Rannells, Alan Dershowitz, Jonathan Mover. James Corden: Demi Lovato, Charlie Hunnam, Rupert Friend. Carson Daly: Abigail Spencer, Partybaby, Asia Kate Dillon. Trevor Noah: Michelle Rodriguez. Conan O’Brien: Keegan-Michael Key, Ana Gasteyer, Ken Hall, Alice Wetterlund, Luka Jones, Bjorn Gusafsson, Michael Cassidy, Oscar Nunez, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Huskey, Nancy Lineman (rerun).