I’m all for casting Parker Posey as the wily Dr. Smith, but an even better piece of casting for the new remade series “Lost in Space” (Netflix, streaming). is Molly Parker as the mother of space family Robinson, a role once filled by June Lockhart (of course Parker is the Lockhart of her generation!). Whether Maxwell Jenkins will be as good a Will Robinson as Bill Mumy remains to be seen.
But the special effects are on point, and even if the initial action in the 10-part series seems slow, the fact the whole thing is made with family viewers in mind isn’t a terrible thing.
Also new tonight is the British drama “Rellik” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.), a serial killer tale that tells its tale in reverse.
“Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas” (HBO, 11:30 p.m.) is a new topical humor show that, produced by John Osborne, is similar in that it cracks jokes while surrounding a central serious topic. In the case of tonight’s premiere, it’s police killings. But there are differences: primarily, no studio audience.
Public television gets into the conservative talk show business with the new “In Principle” (PBS, 8:30 p.m., check local listings) with Amy Holmes from Glenn Beck’s network, and Michael Gerson.
A fourth season starts for the solid series “Bosch” (Amazon, streaming), with Titus Welliver starring as the detective from Michael Connelly’s books.
Brian Schatz, Andy Cohen, Jonathan Chaot, Jason Kander, Maya Wiley are guests on “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
A new season also starts for “Chef’s Table” (Netflix, streaming), with the focus this time on pastry chefs.
America’s plans to move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem is covered on “Vice” (HBO, 7:30 p.m.).
Kids on “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m.) take over a hotel kitchen.
Zelena isn’t the first to have a hard time with Hansel and Gretel. It’s on “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 9 p.m.) tries to save money.
Danny and Baez look for a sick girl on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
A billionaire’s son is kidnapped on “MacGyver” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Stuck in the Middle” (Disney, 8 p.m.) has not been picked up for a third season.
On “Taken” (NBC, 8 p.m.) a bomb goes off in Washington, D.C.
A new season begins on “The Graham Norton Show” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) with guests John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Tom Holland and Kylie Minogue.
Randolph Scott is the star tonight on Turner Classic Movies on “The Tall T” (8 p.m.), “Ride Lonesome” (9:30 p.m.), “Decision at Sundown” (11 p.m.) and “Colt .45” (12:30 a.m.). Then comes David Cronenberg’s “The Brood” (2 a.m.) and Roman Polanski’s “Repulsion” (3:45 a.m.).
But during the day there are movies saluting minorities on screen, with “Cabin in the Sky” (8 a.m.), “Bright Road” (9:45 a.m.), “Swing!” (11 a.m.), “Blackboard Jungle” (12:15 p.m.), “Something of Value” (2:15 p.m.), “Edge of the City” (4:15 p.m.) and “Band of Angels” (5:45 p.m.).
The Stanley Cup Playoff games have Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.), Minnesota at Winnipeg (USA, 730 p.m.) and Los Angeles at Vegas (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes Atlanta at Cubs (MLB, 2 p.m.) and Pittsburgh at Miami (MLB, 7 p.m.).
College baseball has Oregon State at Missouri State (ESPNU, noon).
In college softball, it’s LSU at Tennessee (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Emily Blunt, January Jones, Guy Fieri. The View: Nathan Lane. The Talk: Helen Hunt. Harry Connick: Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy, Joey Thurman (rerun). Steve Harvey: Kara McCullough, Ta’Rhonda Jones. Ellen DeGeneres: Jason Sudeikis, Ali Wong.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Aubrey Plaza, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Cookie Monster. Jimmy Kimmel: John Cena, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Rozzi (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Jeff Daniels, Joe Manganiello, Mike Vecchione. Seth Meyers: Leslie Mann, Jared Harris, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Steve Smith (rerun). James Corden: Camila Morrone, Robert Plant (rerun). Carson Daly: Eric Bana, Matoma, Keiynan Lonsdale.