Michael Jackson’s 1983 video for “Thriller” might have been perfect Halloween fare, right down to Vincent Price’s cackle. But it still wasn’t quite long enough to qualify as an hour long TV special, so here’s a half hour animated version titled “Michael Jackson’s Halloween” (CBS, 8 p.m.) from a production company that’s owned by his estate. So it won’t be scary for any reasons you’re thinking. Jim Parsons, Alan Cumming, Christine Baranski and Lucy Liu are among those who lend their voices.
The third season of “Blindspot” (NBC, 8 p.m.) begins with a new night and some new tattoos for Jaime Alexander’s Jane Doe.
A tribute to the songwriter and sometimes movie star, “The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson” (CMT, 10 p.m.) features contributions from Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, among others.
The writer Joan Didion was always honest in writing about her own life. In the documentary “Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold” (Netflix, streaming) she hands over duties to her nephew Griffin Dunne and her grandniece, Annabelle Dunne, who directed.
Elsewhere online, Michael Gambon and Helen McCrory star in the British legal thriller “Fearless” (Amazon, streaming).
A performance of the musical “Flawless” is “Live from Lincoln Center” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
It’s Halloween on “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and “MacGyver” (CBS, 9 p.m.); watch him devise a costume!
The 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando is recalled on “Active Shooter: America Under Fire” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
Woody Harrelson, Joy Behar, David French, Van Jones and Betsy Woodruff are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
A second season starts for “Andi Mack” (Disney, 8 p.m.).
On the new “Myth or Monster” (Travel, 10 p.m.), author Patrick Rothfuss investigates reports of an 8-foot man-bird hybrid in West Virginia.
Rebecca starts a smear campaign against Josh on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
Can a ghost start a fire? They try to figure it out on “Kindred Spirits” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Rafael tries to get his hotel back on “Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
“Josh Gates’ Destination Truth” (Travel, 9 p.m.) goes to Madagascar and Guam.
Keep your hands where we can see them: Another three hours of “Live PD” (A&E, 9 p.m.).
It’s family awards night on “Stuck in the Middle” (Disney, 9 p.m.).
Gorgon and Karnak take on Auran and her army on “Marvel’s Inhumans” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
The team on “Z Nation” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) is captured.
There’s prison reform on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The month-long Friday night Anthony Perkins salute on Turner Classic Movies concludes as predicted with “Psycho” (8 p.m.). It’s followed by “Pretty Poison” (10:15 p.m.), “The Champagne Murders” (midnight), “Fear Strikes Out” (2 a.m.) and “The Trial” (4 a.m.).
Game 3 of the World Series (Fox, 8 p.m.) has Dodgers at Houston, with the series tied 1-1.
NBA action includes Oklahoma City at Minnesota (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Washington at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Nashville at Chicago (NHL, 8:30 p.m.).
College football includes Tulane at Memphis (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.), Florida State at Boston College (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Tulsa at SMU (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Eva Longoria, Milo Ventimiglia. The View: Jenna Bush Hager, Barbara Pierce Bush. Harry Connick: Miles Teller, Beulah Kohle, Jason Hall, Adam Schumann, Gloria Gaynor, Lauren Wilson. Steve Harvey: Caleb McLaughlin. Ellen DeGeneres: Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kelly Clarkson. Wendy Williams: Lori Bergamotto. The Real: Snoop Dogg.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Dr. Phil McGraw, Cpt. Scott Kelly. Jimmy Fallon: Denis Leary, 2 Chainz with Travis Scott. Seth Meyers: Jennifer Hudson, Jeff Garlin, Jesmyn Ward, Gregg Bissonette (rerun). James Corden: Alicia Vikander, Luke Wilson, Zach Woods, Sir Sly (rerun). Carson Daly: Keith Morrison, Andrew McMahon, Michael Luwoye (rerun).