It happens every 18 months. But since most of the earth is water, a lot of people on land don’t see a total solar eclipse. The people of American have the best chance in 99 years to see an eclipse this afternoon, but only along a 70-mile diagonal will it be total.
May others will experience an 80 percent eclipse which is better than zero. And on TV, it will be 100 percent.
Indeed, the biggest achievement of the celestial event may be in eclipsing for a moment the specter of Donald Trump on cable news. So there will be a sudden phalanx of science reporters for the Live Eclipse (ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, Fox, CNN, Fox News and the Science Channel, noon).
Science Channel will return in the evening to summarize and share shadows on a special, “Great American Eclipse” (Science, 9 p.m.). It’s on the same time as a special on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m.) called “Eclipse Over America” which will do its own review. One, you might say, eclipses the other.
A couple of familiar British stars populate “The Good Karma Hospital” (Acorn, streaming), from Amrita Acharia — Irri in “Game of Thrones” — to Phyllis Logan, Mrs. Hughes of “Downton Abbey.” It’s about a young British doctor who goes to Southern India to work for a hospital.
Here’s an idea for a future series — about Native American tribal judges busy on their reservations. The true story of it is presented on “Tribal Justice,” a film making its bow on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m.).
Lest celestial events eclipse him, a Presidential Address (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CSPAN, 9 p.m.) is scheduled to address his (or more likely, his general’s) way forward in Afghanistan.
It’s followed by a televised Town Hall (CNN, 9:30 p.m.) with Rep. Paul Ryan.
A new animated preschool series, “Sunny Day” (Nickelodeon, 10 a.m.) is about a 10 year old hair stylist who often saves the day.
The true crime series “Gone: The Forgotten Women of Ohio” (Spike, 9 p.m.) moves to a new day.
Few are as unwelcome as those who stroll onto the sands late on “Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC, 8 p.m.), as one does tonight.
The top nine perform on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
And on the third two-hour reality show tonight, the top 30 compete to get in the national finals of “American Ninja Warrior” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Ozzie confronts Walsh about being an alien on a new “People of Earth” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
“Will” (TNT, 11 p.m.) is taken aback by Alice’s new interest.
On “I Hart Food” (Food, 10 p.m.), Hannah Hart eats fried food in the South.
On “Midnight, Texas” (NBC, 10 p.m.), a revelation about Manfred’s past threatens his relationship with Creek.
Tonight’s “Intervention” (A&E, 8 p.m.) features a cellist becomes a PCP addict.
The video shoot for Safari and Chanel doesn’t go well on “Love & Hip hop Hollywood” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
Stacey gets ready to give birth on “Baller Wives” (VH1, 9 p.m.).
On “Preacher” (AMC, 9 p.m.) Tulip can’t forgive Jesse.
“The New Age of Terror” (History, 9 p.m.), it turns out, is a series.
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Craig Robinson, Olivia Culpo and Gabriel Iglesias play “To Tell the Truth” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The Broadway actress turned early talkie star Ann Harding is featured all day on Turner Classic Movies with “Her Private Affair” (6 a.m.), “Condemned” (7:30 a.m.), “The Conquerors” (9 a.m.), “The Life of Vergie Winters” (10:30 a.m.), “The Lady Consents” (noon), “The Witness Chair” (1:30 p.m.), “Janie” (2:45 p.m.), “Eyes in the Night” (4:30 p.m.), “It Happened on 5th Avenue” (6 p.m.), “Biography of a Bachelor Girl” (8 p.m.), “The Animal Kingdom” (9:30 p.m.), “When Ladies Meet” (11:15 p.m.), “The Flame Within” (1 a.m.), “Double Harness” (2:30 a.m.) and “The Magnificent Yankee” (4 a.m.).
Monday Night Preseason Football has Giants at Cleveland (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
In the Little League World Series, it’s Emilia, Italy vs. Gross Pointe, Mich. (ESPN, 11 a.m.), Seoul vs. Reynosa, Mexico (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. vs. Jackson, N.J. (ESPN, 3 p.m.), Santiago, D.R. vs. Maracaibo, Venezuela (ESPN2, 6 p.m.) and Walla Walla, Wash. vs. Fairfield, Conn. (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Soccer includes Everton at Manchester City (NBC Sports, 3 p.m.) in the English Premier League.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Taylor Schilling, Aziz Ansar, Sutton Foster, Sabrina Carpenter. The View: Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas (rerun). Harry Connick: Rachel Dratch, Jenna Elfman, Fantasia, Chef Psilakis (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Johnny Depp, Niall Horan (rerun). Wendy Williams: Lance Bass, Jackie Miranne (rerun). The Real: Evelyn Lozada, Joseline Hernandez (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Michael Moore, Sutton Foster, 6LACK (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Caitlyn Jenner, Finn Wittrock, Brett Young (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Alex Rodriguez, Nick Kroll, Haim (rerun). Seth Meyers: Ice Cube, Kumail Nanjiani, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Daru Jones (rerun). James Corden: Nicole Kidman, Kit Harington, Ed Sheeran (rerun). Carson Daly: Hank Azaria, Jeff Rosenstock, Al Madrigal (rerun). Trevor Noah: Joshua Green. Conan O’Brien: Matt LeBlanc, Brittany Snow, Myg Kaplan.