High school is a minefield, taking on the weight of societal problems even as it tries to encourage students to find a way to overcome it all. Two documentary series take on such struggles.
“American High School” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) is a four-part series that takes an immersive look at an almost completely African-American high school in South Carolina that seems to have a nice facility and capable students, but also worries about how it is perceived and a well-meaning principal who seems obsessed by test scores.
“Last Chance High” (Viceland, 10 p.m.) is an eight-part series that chronicles the final days of the Mosts Montefiore Academy in Chicago which was dedicated to the most at-risk youth, before it was closed for good last year.
“This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.) may be one of the most anticipated returning network shows, especially after the recent win for Sterling K. Brown. On tonight’s episode, they celebrate birthdays.
Like the new show “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” (NBC, 10 p.m.), the second season premiere of “Bull” (CBS, 9 p.m.) concerns a woman who says she killed her billionaire husband in self defense.
The second season premiere of “Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 8 p.m.) takes place in Mexico.
As the 15th season starts for “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.), they’re still looking for Gibbs and McGee, now missing in Paraguay for two months.
Blind auditions continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
The second season premiere for “The Mick” (Fox, 9 p.m.) has the family checking into a hotel after some excessive spending.
Nixon’s time in office is tough to watch on chapter eight of “The Vietnam War” (PBS, 8 p.m.) covering April 1969-May 1970 when the My Lai massacre is uncovered.
Jake and Rosa begin the fifth season start of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) behind bars.
Pride is on six weeks probation was the fourth season begins on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Kate gets to know Jesus, the guy, on “Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Crazy clowns take a knee on “American Horror Story: Cult” (FX, 10 p.m.), or some such.
Barbara Corcoran of “Shark Tank” was the first to go on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.); Nick Lachey may be next to go as they dance Latin tonight.
Entrepreneurs from “Shark Tank” are up against performers from “Dancing with the Stars” on “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC, 8 p.m.), in a third season finale that also has Cynthia Bailey vs. Kandi Burrus-Tucker.
Ziggy Marley is guest judge on “Chopped Junior” (Food, 8 p.m.).
“Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” (Travel, 9 p.m.) goes to the Mojave Desert and Vegas.
Artists create pirates inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean” on “Face Off: Game Face” (Syfy, 9 p.m.). (They look like bombs?).
Det. Ralph Friedman goes after a serial rapist on “Street Justice: The Bronx” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
While in London, “The Little Couple” (TLC, 9 p.m.) tries to recreate the “Abbey Road” album cover.
“The Jim Jeffries Show” (Comedy, 10:30 p.m.) returns with new episodes.
Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, Stave Harvey and Martin Lawrence all show up to celebrate the silver anniversary of the stand-up comedy series that helped boost the careers a good many African-American comics, “Def Comedy Jam 25” (Netflix, streaming).
Amy Poehler, Andy Cohen and Lucy Liu all show up for the third season finale of “Difficult People” (Hulu, streaming).
Savannah drops out on “Chrisley Knows Best” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Three shops compete live for the prize in the ninth season finale of “Ink Master” (Spike, 10 p.m.).
A month of films of Jennifer Jones on Turner Classic Movies concludes with “The Barrets of Wimple Street” (8 p.m.), “A Farewell to Arms” (10 p.m.), “Tender is the Night” (12:45 a.m.) and “The Last Time I Saw Paris” (3:30 a.m.).
Baseball includes Cubs at St. Louis (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and San Diego at Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals has Los Angeles at Minnesota (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Michael Weatherly, Katy Mixon, Chris Janson. The Talk: Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Cameron Mathison, Sabrina Soto. Harry Connick: Terrence Howard, Michelle Buteau. Steve Harvey: Nia Long, Adam Brody. Ellen DeGeneres: Jane Fonda, Taye Diggs, Bleachers. Wendy Williams: Anne Heche, Matt Roush. The Real: Rick Fox.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sofia Veraga, David Boreanaz, Ken Burns. Jimmy Kimmel: Andy Samberg, Brandon Michael Hall, Macklemore with Offset. Jimmy Fallon: Kate Winslet, Milo Ventimiglia, G-Eazy with Cardi B. Seth Meyers: Larry David, Kiefer Sutherland, Josh Earnest, Gregg Bissonette. James Corden: Channing Tatum, Adam Scott, Diego Luna. Carson Daly: Eddie Izzard, (Sandy) Alex G, Dawn-Lyen Gardner. Trevor Noah: Kathryn Miles. Conan O’Brien: Ellen Page, Impractical Jokers.