When Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet got her fired from her own sitcom, there was some thought of keeping the rest of the writers and cast to try doing the show without her. The resulting “The Conners” (ABC, 8 p.m.) premieres tonight. If the rebooted “Roseanne” began with the resurrected Dan, this one starts with the presumably deceased Ms. Conner.
That it leaves such powerhouses as John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf means they can do something with the unexpected new direction.
It all but upstages the other big premiere tonight, Nathan Fillion as a 45 year old newcomer to a police department treated like he’s an elderly man on “The Rookie” (ABC, 10 p.m.). It’s not anything you haven’t seen a number of times before.
The new “The Kids are Alright” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) is a sweet little sitcom, a period piece about a large Catholic family in the early 70s where half the jokes are about how the kids’ lives are both more regulated and infinitely more free than they are these days. Mary McCormack stands out as the tough mom.
Nazis got the idea for the Master Race from Eugenics experiments and sterilizations going on in the U.S., according to the fascinating and frightening report “The Eugenics Crusade” on “American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Blackish” (ABC, 9 p.m.) returns for a fifth season with Junior announcing his decision to take a gap year, which doesn’t go over well.
Back for a second season is “Splitting Up Together” (AMC, 9:30 p.m.) the likable domestic comedy starring Jenna Fischer and Oliver Hudson trying to navigate their separation despite hooking up at the end of season one.
It’s all about the Lils at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2018 (BET, 8 p.m.), where Lil Wayne gets a special award, and there are performances from both Lil Baby and Lil Duval. Also performing are Cardi B. and T.I. Deray Davis hosts.
The NBA season begins in earnest with Philadelphia at Boston (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
There is also Game 3 of the ALCS with Boston at Houston (TBS, 5 p.m.) and Game 4 of the NLCS of Milwaukee at Dodgers (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
A new stand-up comedy special comes in “Ron White: If You Quit Listening, I’ll Shut Up” (Netflix, streaming).
If you’re missing Ron Livingston, the suicide victim on “A Million Little Things,” he’s fully alive in season two of “Loudermilk” (AT&T, 10 p.m.).
In the new “T-Pain’s School of Business” (Fuse, 11), the rapper looks at the origins of various start-ups. The accompanying “The 212” (Fuse, 11:30 p.m.) talks about creative New York businesses.
Jack goes to Vietnam on “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Gibbs has his cabin vacation interrupted on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Barry helps his daughter get faster on “Flash” (CW, 8 p.m.).
The “FBI” (CBS, 9 p.m.) goes after an active sniper.
Books with alternate worlds, from Middle Earth to Lilliput, are celebrated on “The Great American Read” (PBS, 8 p.m.).
Battle rounds continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Tobias continues to enact his plan on “Black Lightning” (CW, 9 p.m.).
Murtaugh has questions about a past murder case on “Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
New secrets are brought to light on “Mayans M.C.” (FX, 10 p.m.).
On “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.), a petty officer is found murdered under a shrimping boat.
On “New Amsterdam” (NBC, 10 p.m.), the hospital volunteers to take over for a short-staffed facility nearby.
On “The Gifted” (Fox, 8 p.m.), Jace is contacts by a member of the Purifiers
Jane tries to endure David’s party on “The Purge” (USA, 10 p.m.).
On “Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), Rhylee is at odds with everyone after her outburst.
Jeff’s grandma is rushed to the hospital on “Flipping Out” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ 100th anniversary salute to Rita Hayworth continues with “Pal Joey” (8 p.m.), “Affair in Trinidad” (10 p.m.), “Miss Sadie Thompson” (midnight), “Fire Down Below” (1:45 a.m.) and “Salome” (4 a.m.).
Hockey has Arizona at Minnesota (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
In soccer, it’s Peru at U.S. (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) in a men’s international friendly. Earlier, it’s Czech Republic at Ukraine (ESPNews, 2:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Nathan Fillion, lovelytheband. The View: Charlotte Pence, Pete Souza. The Talk: Laurence Fishburn, Nichelle Turner, Carrie Ann Inaba, La Toya Jackson. Steve Harvey: Kelly Dodd, Areva Martin, Tanika Ray. Ellen DeGeneres: Keira Knightley, Kathryn Hahn, Old Dominion. Wendy Williams: Dr. Drew Pinsky. The Real: Katy Mixon.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brooke Baldwin. Jimmy Kimmel: John Krasinski, St. Vincent. Jimmy Fallon: Kevin Hart, Robert Irwin (rerun). Seth Meyers: Eric McCormack, Sean Casey, Kevin Millar, Amanda Litman, Daxx Nielsen (rerun). James Corden: Keira Knightley, Kathryn Hahn, Joe Zimmerman. Carson Daly: Jameela Jamil, Penn Badgley, the Record Company, Suki Waterhouse, Abra (rerun). Trevor Noah: Melissa McCarthy.