“American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m.) found an awful lot of footage of elephants lumbering into anonymous towns in the circus parade to illustrate its handsome two-part history of “The Circus.” There were a lot of photos and artful posters to include as well, some of them now animated for effect.
But the history by Sharon Grimberg goes beyond just Barnum (though he plays a jumbo role, you might say) but also some of the forgotten names in the huge traveling entertainment.
Part one tonight covers the earliest days of the 18th century to Barnum’s death; it continues Tuesday and runs until the last big top show in 1956.
Jimmy turns the page on his reputation on the season finale of “Better Call Saul” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
The fate of “Lodge 49” (AMC, 10:25 p.m.) is in the balance in tonight’s season finale, but spoiler alert: it has been renewed for a second season.
Night two of the iHeartRadio Music Festival (CW, 8 p.m.) has Panic at the Disco, Mariah Carey, Shawn Mendes and Kygo.
Leona Lewis sings on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.), where Danelle Amstead was the latest to be eliminated, though Grocery Store Joe still has the worst scores.
On “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), the blind auditions drag on.
In the new “Vintage Roads Great & Small” (Acorn, streaming), Christopher Timothy and Peter Davidson take a vintage car through some windy old roads.
Calvin reluctantly helps Dave with his busted water pipe on “The Neighborhood” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Aj turns down a request from Bell on “The Resident” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Jake and Claire have a problem getting rid of stuff on “Happy Together” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
“Bull” (CBS, 10 p.m.) defends the police of excessive force.
Kimberly and Paris go at it on “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
Many of the rescue victims on “9-1-1” (Fox, 9 p.m.) tend to be stuck.
“Mo Amer: The Vagabond” (Netflix, streaming) is a stand-up comedy special from the Palestinian-American comic.
“Magnum P.I.” (CBS, 9 p.m.) tries to find the identity of a comatose woman.
Aimee attacks Gus on the season finale of “Floribama Shore” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
A celebrity chef deals with a breast cancer diagnosis on “RX Early Detection A Cancer Journey with Sandra Lee” (HBO, 8 p.m.).
A young married couple has a choice to make on “The Good Doctor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Vicki doesn’t know what to make of this old world on “The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
On “Manifest” (NBC, 10 p.m.) a murder may have something to do with the flight. But maybe not.
“Long Island Medium” (TLC, 8 p.m.) is back for its 13th season; “Long Lost Family” (TLC, 9 p.m.) back for its fifth.
Turner Classic Movies has a couple of classic films that were remade with gender changes — “The Front Page” (8 p.m.), which became “His Girl Friday” (10 p.m.); and “Strangers on a Train” (midnight), which became “Once You Kiss a Stranger” (2 a.m.).
Monday Night Football has Washington at New Orleans (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
Baseball playoffs include Houston at Cleveland (TBS, 1:30 p.m.), Dodgers at Atlanta (Fox Sports 1, 4:30 p.m.) and Boston at Yankees (TBS, 7:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Vegas at Buffalo (NHL, 3 p.m.).
Preseason basketball has the early morning game of Philadelphia vs. Dallas (NBA, 8 a.m.) from Shenzhen, China. and then Washington at New York (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Phoenix at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Christina Aguilera, William Baldwin, Troye Sivan. The View: Jamie Lee Curtis, Yvette Nicole Brown. The Talk: Ellen K, Sandra Lee, Carrie Ann Inaba. Steve Harvey: Lynn Richardson. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Garner, Kacey Musgraves. Wendy Williams: Sharon Carpenter, Milly Almodovar. The Real: Bow Wow.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Keira Knightley, Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Martha Stewart (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: John Goodman, Regina Hall, NCT-127. Jimmy Fallon: Anthony Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal, Dinah Jane with Ty Dolla $ign and Marc E. Bassy. Seth Meyers: Jennifer Garner, Stephanie Ruhle, Bebe Rexha, Allison Miller, Pearl Aday (rerun). James Corden: Tom Cruise, Angela Bassett, Kacey Musgraves (rerun). Carson Daly: Luis Guzman, Houndmouth, Jessica Parker Kennedy.