The brief tradition of live broadcast musicals isn’t what it sued to be. Tonight’s “The Wonderful World of Disney Presents the Little Mermaid Live!” (ABC, 8 p.m.), for example, looks like it will largely the screening of the original animated film in honor of its 30th anniversary, that will cut from time to time to live musical numbers. ITs live cast includes Auli’i Carvalho, the voice in the original “Moana,” in the title role; Queen Latifah, above, as Ursula; Shaggy as Sebastian and John Stamos as Chef Louis. Amber Riley hosts. Expect a lot of ads for the impending streaming service Disney Plus.
One of the things that keeps me up late is catching the nightly monologue on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (NBC, 12:37 a.m.) and its sharp updates on the day’s chaos. Tonight he comes out from behind the desk for his standup special “Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby” (Netflix, streaming), recorded at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis. He’ll talk mostly about his life and family, but there will be a period dealing with Trump, as he often does. This time, Netflix technology will get some creative use, as a “Skip Politics” button will appear, in the manner of its “Skip Intro” feature.
A second season starts for the British comic book adaptation “The End of the F***ing World” (Netflix, streaming). The black comedy about a pair of teens on a road trip ended with the fate of one character unclear. The second season adds Naomi Ackie to the cast.
A two hour “Frontline” (PBS, 9 p..m., check local listings) looks at the promises and perils of artificial intelligence
A protected family in rural Georgia is the subject of the new series “Welcome to Plathville” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
“Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) returns for its fifth season, with Brie Larson in the Pearl Islands. “The Profit” (CNBC, 10 p.m.) is back for its seventh season, helping an Italian restaurant in New Jersey.
On “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.), Jack and Rebecca invite Randall’s new teacher over for dinner.
Lucious tries to make amends on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.) continues knockout rounds.
A petty officer’s son is found murdered on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
On “The Flash” (CW, 8 p.m.), Cisco learns of a shocking murder.
Devon thinks he could have prevented a plane crash on “The Resident” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“Arrow” (CW, 9 p.m.) takes on Deathstroke.
They stick to plant-based food on “Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.).
“FBI” (CBS, 9 p.m.) looks into an insider-trading ring.
A seventh season starts for “The Curse of Oak Island” (History, 9 p.m.).
On “The Purge” (USA, 9 p.m.), Marcus confronts his past.
Lasalle looks to avenge his brother’s murder on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
On “New Amsterdam” (NBC, 10 p.m.) a PTSD group hits a snag.
Edwards has a breakthrough on “Treadstone” (USA, 10 p.m.).
If anybody deserves to be a star of the month on Turner Classic Movies it’s Bette Davis. The 53-film salute begins today with work from the early 1930s, with “Waterloo Bridge” (6 a.m.), “20,000 Years in Sing Sing” (7:45 a.m.), “The Rich Are Always with Us” (9:30 a.m.), “So Big” (11 a.m.), “Three on a Match” (12:45 p.m.), “Bureau of Missing Persons” (2 p.m.), “Ex-Lady” (3:15 p.m.), “The Working Man” (4:30 p.m.), “Parachute Jumper” (6 p.m.), “Of Human Bondage” (8 p.m.), “Fog Over Frisco” (9:30 p.m.), “The Big Shakedown” (11 p.m.), “Fashions of 1934” (12:30 a.m.), “Jimmy the Gent” (2:15 a.m.) and “Special Agent” (3:30 a.m.). But there is also her 1983 appearance on “The Tonight Show” (7:30 p.m.).
The men’s college basketball season begins with a slew of bands including Wagner at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.), Kansas vs. Duke (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Jacksonville at Xavier (Fox Sports 2, 7 p.m.), Virginia Tech at Clemson (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Army at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.), Acorn State at DePaul (Fox Sports 2, 9 p.m.), Saint Mary’s vs. Wisconsin (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Kentucky vs. Michigan State (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.) and Utah at Nevada (CBS Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
College football has Kent State at Toledo (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Ball State at Western Michigan (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and the College Football Playoff rankings show (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
NHL action has Boston at Montreal (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Chicago at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Basketball has Lakers at Chicago (NBA, 8 p.m.).
Soccer’s FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 16 has Angola vs. South Korea (Fox Sports 2, 2:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Tim McGraw, Bridget Moynahan. The View: Jane Fonda. The Talk: Kellie Pickler, Vicki Lawrence. Ellen DeGeneres: Shia LaBouf, Jon Dorenbos, Hootie & the Blowfish. Kelly Clarkson: Keegan-Michael Ke, Bebe Rexha. Wendy Williams: Kenya Moore. The Real: Kim Kardashian West, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Elizabeth Banks, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, King Princess. Jimmy Kimmel: Mandy Moore, Josh Lucas, Hootie & the Blowfish. Jimmy Fallon: Adam Sandler, Jenny Slate, Megan Galley. Seth Meyers: Kristin Chenoweth, Michael Kelly, Sinéad Burke, Brendan Buckley. James Corden: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Sheryl Crow. Lilly Singh: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson. Trevor Noah: Sen. Cory Booker, Edward Norton. David Spade: Bobby Lee, Theo Von. Conan O’Brien: Bert Kreischer.