A first effort to cull or at least contemplate 20 of the candidates running for Democratic nominee for President (five didn’t make it) begins in Miami with 10 candidates in The First Democratic Debate (NBC, MSNBC, Telemundo, 9 p.m.). Participants include Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar, Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Tim Ryan, former congressmen Beto O’Rourke and John Delaney, forming housing director Julián Castro, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
With five moderators, it can’t be too substantive, with only 60 seconds given to answer questions and 30 to respond to follow-ups. The second half, with Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, debate tomorrow.
Any debate winner will not be as clear cut as it will be, on, say, tonight’s season 31 finale of “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 9 p.m.), which zips from London to Detroit.
But think of it as a more consequential version of “Are You the One?” (MTV, 10 p.m.), which is starting a new season.
The first twist on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) involves the voted camp director Jackson picking four people to be banished, even before the first Head of Household competition.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu, streaming) comes to Washington D.C., in case it hasn’t already.
The founder of the Equal Justice Initiative is profiled in the documentary “True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality” (HBO, 8 p.m.).
A new “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) will be too soon to comment on the debates, but not the rape accusation of the president.
The Top 17 compete in a in a mystery box challenge on “MasterChef” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
It’s game shows all night with “Press Your Luck” (ABC, 8 p.m.), “Card Sharks” (ABC, 9 p.m.)
Then Joel McHale, Rachael Ray, Jason Biggs, caroline Rhea, donald Faison and Vanessa Williams play “Match Game” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The series “Rivers of Life” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks at the Amazon.
Lina comes to town on “Jane the Virgin” (CW, 9 p.m.).
Rebels gain advantage on “Krypton” (Syfy, 10 p.m.).
On “Younger” (TV Land, 10 p.m.), the magazine secures an exclusive interview with a murderer.
Turner Classic Movies’ month-long Wednesday night salute to Jane Powell concludes with “The Female Animal” (8 p.m.), “The Girl Most Likely” (9:45 p.m.), “Enchanted Island” (11:45 p.m.), “Marie: A True Story” (1:30 a.m.) and “Mr. Skeffington” (3:30 p.m.).
During the day, the focus on TCM is on Eleanor Parker, born this day in 1922, with “The Mysterious Doctor” (6 a.m.), “The Seventh Sin” (7 a.m.), “The Last Ride” (8:45 a.m.), “Never Say Goodbye” (9:45 a.m.), “Home from the Hill” (11:30 a.m.), “Of Human Bondage” (2:15 p.m.), “Lizzie” (4:15 p.m.) and “The Man with the Golden Arm” (5:45 p.m.).
Baseball includes Toronto at Yankees (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Atlanta at Cubs (MLB, 8 p.m.).
WNBA action has Washington at Chicago (NBA, noon) and Connecticut at Dallas (NBA, 8 p.m.).
In soccer the Africa Cup of Nations has Nigeria vs. Guinea (beIn Sports, 1 p.m.), Uganda vs. Zimbabwe (beIn Sports, 1 p.m.) and Congo at Egypt (beIn Sports, 4 p.m.).
The Concacaf Gold Cup has Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guyana (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) and Panama at United States (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
The deciding game 3 of the College World Series is Vanderbilt vs. Michigan (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Viola Davis, Christina Applegate, Asia Kate Dillon, Meagan Murphy. The View: Terry Crews. The Talk: Adam Scott. Ellen DeGeneres: Kristen Bell, Chrissy Teigen, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Maya Rudolph. Wendy Williams: Jacob Latimore, cast of Cirque du Soleil (rerun). The Real: Akira Akira Akbar (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Incubus. Jimmy Kimmel: Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jacob Battalion, Vampire Weekend (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Daisy Ridley, Colin Quinn, Little Big Town. Seth Meyers: Terry Crews, Anthony Jeselnik, Jon Wuster. James Corden: Rob Lowe, Elle Fanning, Blood Orange (rerun). Carson Daly: Kim Dickens, HalfNoise, Harvey Guillen (rerun). Trevor Noah: Perry Bacon Jr. Conan O’Brien: Bill Hader (rerun).