At a time when newspapers are just hanging on, the heyday of big city newspaper columnists is celebrated in the strong documentary “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists” (HBO, 8 p.m.), which makes a strong case that Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill, whose prose stylings differed, each offered some of the best journalism of the late 20th century with work that championed the poor and voiceless.
They were sure witness to some of the era’s big events and found unique ways to cover them. They became so big, Breslin ran for office, and Hamill was dating Jackie Kennedy. The Son of Sam wrote directly to Breslin. Hamill talked Robert Kennedy into running for president and both he and Breslin were there when that dream died. They’re big enough figures for their own films, but remain entwined for becoming competitors, colleagues and eventually old men discussing the past. Jonathan Alter finds plenty of others to recall stories and praise their work. But they are also seen as endangered species as the film begins with contrasting shots of when everyone read a tabloid on the New York City subway compared to day when instead everybody looks at their phones.
Director Eugene Jarecki sends Elvis Presley’s 1963 Rolls Royce cross country for a road trip to learn some things about America in the documentary “The King” making its bow on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The six-part limited series “I Am the Night” (TNT, 10 p.m.), with Chris Pine and directed by Patty Jenkins (“Wonder Woman”), which got a sneak showing Sunday, repeats its pilot tonight.
So many reality shows are on at once: “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.), “Celebrity Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.), “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and even “Antiques Roadshow” (PBS, 8 p.m.).
Flu season masks another disease on “The Resident” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
On “Black Lightning” (CW, 9 p.m.) Lynn is confronted by her past.
A woman with autism is treated on “The Good Doctor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
On “Manifest” (NBC, 10 p.m.), Ben faces a new threat.
Scheana has a housewarming party on “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
They begin to test the virus on “The Passage” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
A previous client is murdered on “Magnum P.I.” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The young chefs on “Kids Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.) tackle macaroons.
Last year’s winners of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Award are featured tonight on Turner Classic Movies: Cicely Tyson in “Sounder” (8 p.m.), the work of composer Lalo Schifrin in “Bullitt” (10 p.m.), publicist Marvin Levy who worked on “Kramer vs. Kramer” (12:15 a.m.), and the producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen and Kathleen Kennedy in “Poltergeist” (2:15 a.m.).
Earlier today it’s the robot rebellion on TCM with “The Invisible Boy” (6 a.m.), “The Time Machine” (7:45 a.m.), “Forbidden Planet” (9:30 a.m.), “2001: A Space Odyssey” (11:15 a.m.), “2010” (2 p.m.), “Brainstorm” (4:15 p.m.) and “Westworld” (6:15 p.m.).
Basketball includes Golden State at Indiana (NBA, 7 pm.) and Atlanta at Clippers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes Winnipeg at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.) and the American Hockey League All-Star Game (NHL. 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Duke at Notre Dame (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Maryland Eastern Shore at Howard (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), TCU at Texas Tech (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Baylor at Oklahoma (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Women’s games include West Virginia at Texas (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Victoria Beckham, Backstreet, Boys, Marco Borges. The View: Cliff Sims. The Talk: Vanessa L. Williams. Ellen DeGeneres: Jimmy Kimmel, Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus. Wendy Williams: Bevy Smith, Michael Yo, Heather McDonald, Ellie Lee, Robert Verdi, Melissa Garcia. The Real: Dule Hill.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Cliff Sims, Paul Simon. Jimmy Kimmel: Tracy Morgan, Dave Salmoni. Jimmy Fallon: Shaquille O’Neal, Colin Quinn, 21 Savage. Seth Meyers: Alan Cumming, Maia Mitchell, Cierra Ramirez, Brendan Buckley. James Corden: Eric McCormack, Danielle Macdonald, Paige Weldon. Carson Daly: Tom Felton, Jain, LadyGang (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Tig Notaro.