Inclusion of special needs young people in TV shows can be tricky, especially in comedies. But there’s a sweet, honest tone to the new “Atypical” (Netflix, streaming) which stars Keir Gilchrist as a high school senior on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. But he’s obsessed with penguins, has a turtle as a best friend and is starting to explore dating.
Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael Rapport play their well meaning parents; Brigette Lundy-Paine is his protective older sister.
Among the many documentary specials marking the 20th anniversary (on Thursday) of the arrest of David Berkowitz, “Son of Sam: The Killer Speaks” (CBS, 10 p.m.) is the only one that features an interview with the man convicted of killing six and wounding seven in a spree that paralyzed New York City. he talks to Maurice DuBois about the killings, his new life in prison, serving six consecutive life sentences at the Shawangunk Correctional facility in Wallkill, N.Y.
Meanwhile, a new “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.) looks at the case of a father-daughter team convicted of killing her husband in North Carolina.
They are the only two new programs on broadcast TV tonight, except for a new “Masters of Illusion” (The CW, 8 p.m.) which features such single-named magicians as Draven and Jibrizy.
Guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) includes Richard Dawkins, Fareed Zakaria, Jon Meecham and Jim Parsons.
Another strange “Room 104” (HBO, 11:30 p.m.) stars Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris as a woman who seeks to rise to a new level from a cult priest played by Orlando Jones.
“Hitler’s Last Year” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.), this special reveals, was not a good one for him.
Jonathan McDaniel guest stars as an ex-husband on “Raven’s Home” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
Dutch goes AWOL on “Killjoys” (Syfy, 8 p.m.),
Marisa leaks confidential information on “K.C. Undercover” (Disney, 8:30 p.m.).
A Shinto shrine in Japan may be from “Ancient Aliens” (History, 9 p.m.), the show contends.
A claim is denied on “Bering Sea Gold” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Frankie and Amelia get to know one another on “Bizaardvark” (Disney, 9 p.m.), while everyone else is out camping.
A newly discovered memory leads the crew to a dwarf star on “Dark Matter” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
“Josh Gates’ Destination Truth” (Travel, 9 p.m.) travels to Thailand and Cyprus.
Looking at “Live PD” (A&E, 9 p.m.), one sees a nation of drunks.
The team on “Wynonna Earp” (Syfy, 10 p.m.) has a run-in with the Widows.
Ginger Rogers brightens your Friday with a day of films that begins with “The Tenderfoot” (6 a.m.), “Flying Down to Rio” (7:30 a.m.), “Chance at Heaven” (9:15 a.m.), “Twenty Million Sweethearts” (10:45 a.m.), “Star of Midnight” (12:30 p.m.), “Follow the Fleet” (2:15 p.m.), “Tom, Dick and Harry” (4:15 p.m.), “Bachelor Mother” (6:15 p.m.), “Kitty Foyle” (8 p.m.), “Top Hat” (10 p.m.), “Dreamboat” (midnight), “Tight Spot” (1:45 a.m.) and “Once Upon a Honeymoon” (3:45 a.m.).
There are two preseason football games today: Pittsburgh at Giants (NFL, 7 p.m.) and San Francisco at Kansas City (NFL, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes Boston at Yankees (MLB, 7 p.m.).
In WNBA action, it’s Los Angeles at Minnesota (NBA, 8 p.m.).
Golf has second round play in the PGA Championship (TNT, 1 p.m.) and quarterfinals in the U.S. Women’s Amateur (Fox Sports 1, 6 p.m.).
Soccer includes Leicester City at Arsenal (NBC Sports, 3 p.m.).
There’s a half dozen regional semifinals in the Little League (ESPN, 11 a.m.) with one ever two hours.
And in addition to track and field’s IAAF world championships (NBC Sports, 5 a.m.) there is the U.S. Diving National Championships (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Kate Beckinsale, Max Greenfield, Manny Mua, Patrick Starr, Lisa Rinna. The View Tom Select, Vicki Iovine (rerun). The Talk: Kevin Frazier, Gabrielle Union, Alexandra Wentworth (rerun). Harry Connick: Zosia Mamet, Afton Williamson, Freddie Stroma (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Charlize Theron, Jeff Garlin (rerun). Wendy Williams: Meagan Good, Chef Judy Joo (rerun). The Real: Wiz Khalifa, Chiquis Rivera, Jacqie Campos, Mikey Marin, Jenicka Lopez, Johnny Lopez, Angela Yee (rerun).
Late Talk
Jimmy Kimmel: Kate Beckinsale, Alexis Ohanian, Justin Moore (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Naomi Watts, Andy Cohen, Jo Koy. Seth Meyers: Molly Shannon, Matthew Rhys, Bleachers (rerun). James Corden: Ed Helms, Priyanka Chopra, Kaya Scodelario, Paramore (rerun). Carson Daly: Lamorne Morris, Jeff Rosenstock, Split Single, Jane Marie (rerun).