PBS is known for many things, from great documentaries to British drama, but it has never been known for humor. In fact, I maintain they’ve never booked straight comedy other than The Mark Twain Award (“Monty Python” was an import picked up by individual stations).
Therefore, it may be entering a new realm tonight with the debut of “Retro Report on PBS” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), a variation of the history-centric producer of mini-documentaries on YouTube that will also include a weekly commentary by Andy Borowitz, the witty commentator (and inveterate Twitterer) from The New Yorker. Think of his segment as the Andy Rooney following the more serious reporting by Celeste Headlee and Masud Olufani, who tonight look at historical antecedents to NFL protests, and how experiments from the 1950s connect with social media habits of today.
A second season starts for “All American” (CW, 8 p.m.), with Spencer James facing a tough choice.
“Black Lightning” (CW, 9 p.m.) is back for its third season, resolving its cliffhanger.
“Our Boys” (HBO, 10 p.m.) ends its run with a verdict.
Vincent is bummed his club is closed on “The Deuce” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
On “Lodge 49” (AMC, 10 p.m.), Ernie meets his fate.
In the documentary “América,” three brothers return to care for their 93-year-old grandmother in Mexico. It makes its debut on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings.
Dr. Claire Brown prepares to lead her first surgery on “The Good Doctor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
There was no elimination last week on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.) because Ray Lewis withdrew (poor Cheryl Burke has nothing to do the rest of the season). Otherwise, the only one doing worse than Sean Spicer in the judges’ scores is Lamar Odom. Tonight they dance to songs from the Top 10.
Blind auditions continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
The wordless new five part animated series “Primal” (Cartoon Network, midnight) looks at the friendship between a dinosaur and a caveman.
“Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) starts its seventh season with six new crew members.
There’s massive tsunami fallout on “9-1-1” (Fox, 8 p.m.), as you might imagine.
Dave volunteers to repaint the Butler home on “The Neighborhood” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
On “Bob (Hearts) Abishola” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.), Bob tries to learn about Nigerian customs.
Terminal Islanders return home to find things changed on “The Terror” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
Cybercrimes are on the docket on “All Rise” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
On “Prodigal Son” (Fox, 9 p.m.), Malcolm has night terrors. The new series has just been picked up for a full season.
The fate of an innocent man is in the hands of Elijah and Jake on “Bluff City Law” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Halloween Baking Championships” (Food, 9 p.m.) is roped into promoting the new “Addams Family” flick.
Hoping for quiet night on “Live Rescue” (A&E, 9 p.m.).
On “Bull” (CBS, 10 p.m.), a new trial is pushed for a triple murderer.
Paul Muni is star of the month on Turner Classic Movies, with his movies every Monday starting with “Scarface” (8 p.m.), “I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang” (9:45 p.m.), “The Valiant” (11:30 p.m.), “The World Changes” (12:45 a.m.) and “Hi, Nellie!” (2:30 a.m.).
Another busy day in baseball playoffs with Houston at Tampa Bay (MLB, 1 p.m.), Atlanta at St. Louis (TBS, 3 p.m.), Dodgers at Washington (TBS, 6:30 p.m.) and Yankees at Minnesota (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.).
Monday Night Football has Cleveland at San Francisco (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
Hockey has St. Louis at Toronto (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Preseason basketball includes New Orleans at Atlanta (NBA, 7:30 p.m.),
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Jenny McCarthy, Nina Dobrev. The Talk: Trichina Arnold, Beth Behrs. Ellen DeGeneres: Adam Levine, Nicholas Braun, Maroon 5. Kelly Clarkson: Kristin Chenoweth, Bindi and Robert Irwin. Wendy Williams: Elizabeth Wagmeister, Melissa Garcia. The Real: Robin Thede, Deon Cole, Tisha Campbell.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Susan Rice. Jimmy Kimmel: Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, Black Pumas. Jimmy Fallon: Lupita Wyong’o, Dane Cook, Jay Won, Matthew DeLisi, the Avett Brothers. Seth Meyers: David Harbour, Ryan Eggold, Lauren Dangle, Steve Gorman. James Corden: Ben Platt, Zoey Deutch. Lilly Singh: Katy Mixon, Titus Burgess. Trevor Noah: Chanel Miller. David Spade: Rob Corddry, Candice Thompson, Chris Franjola. Conan O’Brien: Henry Winkler (rerun).