A fragile and emotional time is probably the perfect atmosphere to introduce the new drama “Council of Dads” (NBC, 10 p.m.) in which a group of friends take over parenting for a father of five after he learns he has cancer. The cast includes Tom Everett Scott, Clive Standen, Sarah Wayne Callies and Michael O’Neill. After its debut tonight, it returns at the end of April. The reason it’s on tonight is to use some of the Kleenex left over from the season finale of “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.) in which the Pearsons gather to celebrate baby Jack’s first birthday.
Causing great consternation when it was canceled by Netflix last year, “One Day at a Time” (Pop TV, 9:30 p.m.) was picked up on the modest cable network for its fourth season. Norman Lear’s adaptation of his old sitcom with a Cuban-American family begins with an episode featuring Ray Romano as a census taker.
A new documentary by Sarah Burns and David McMahon looks at racism in housing by concentrating on a project in Atlanta called “East Lake Meadows: A Public Housing Story” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
The second season of the documentary “Dark Side of the Ring” (Vice, 9 p.m.), looking at the underbelly of professional wrestling, begins with the tragedy of Chris Benoit the WWE star who killed his wife and son before committing suicide in 2007.
“Project Blue Book” (History, 10 p.m.) reaches a second season finale as a rogue admiral is bent on starting a war against UFOs near Russian waters.
A new standup comedy special “Tom Segura: Ball Hog” (Netflix, streaming), was shot in Austin.
“The Daily Social Distancing Show” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.), the homemade thing from Trevor Noah and company, is actually one of the better makeshift projects from late night hosts. (Of the others, Jimmy Fallon runs a new monologue each night and Skypes a celebrity from his fancifully decorated basement before he turns to old clips; Kimmel is doing a similar thing, but only online; Colbert is straight up on a planned vacation this week; Conan will do full episodes via iPhone beginning Monday).
“Schitt’s Creek” (Pop, 9 p.m.) travels to New York for a pitch meeting.
Dre volunteers at the school carnival on “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
“NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.) finds the body of a Navy technician floating in a lake.
Becky looks for affordable health care on “The Conners” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
On “The Resident” (Fox, 8 p.m.), a patient needs a lung transplant.
Teri becomes more fearful of Andre on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Back in the day when game shows had audiences, there was “Ellen’s Game of Games” (NBC, 8 p.m.), which has a new episode.
Whitney climbs the Eiffel Tower on “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
“FBI” (CBS, 9 p.m.) is on the hunt for a fugitive.
Mike tries to follow through on some projects on “Bless This Mess” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
“The Biggest Loser” (USA, 9 p.m.) is down to its final four.
Rebecca’s friend gets mono on “Mixed-ish” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
On “For Life” (ABC 10 p.m.), Aaron confronts O’Reilly in court.
Al and Prince Chauncley make plans for the future on “Miracle Workers: Dark Ages” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
The work of a pioneering silent filmmaker who was the first known female to direct a film an one of the first of either sex to create a narrative fictional film, is explored all night on Turner Classic Movies, with the documentary “Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché” (8 p.m. and midnight) and her films “Falling Leaves” (10 p.m.), “The Ocean Waif” (10:15 p.m.), “The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ” (11 p.m.), “A House Divided” (2 a.m.), “Canned Harmony” (2:15 a.m.), “Algie, the Miner” (2:35 a.m.) and “Matrimony’s Speed Limit” (2:45 a.m.).
During the day, it’s Steve McQueen, both this day in 1930, with “The Honeymoon Machine” (6 a.m.), “Soldier in the Rain” (7:45 a.m.), “The Great Escape” (9:45 a.m.), “The Cincinnati Kid” (12:45 p.m.), “The Sand Pebbles” (2:45 p.m.) and “An Enemy of the People” (6 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
The View: Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Sara Haines. The Talk: Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku, Lisa Ling (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Aniston, Will Ferrell, Selena Gomez (rerun). Kelly Clarkson: Lucy Hale, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval. Tamron Hall: Tia Lowry (rerun). Wendy Williams: Adam Pally (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Sen. Kama Harris, Lady Antebellum. Jimmy Kimmel: Elle Fanning, Dave “Lil Dicky” Burd, Local Natives. Jimmy Fallon: Mandy Moore, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dane DeHaan. Seth Meyers: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Julio Torres, DeRay McKesson, Carter McLean. James Corden: Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Anna Drehen. Lilly Singh: Karen Gilman. Conan O’Brien: Jameela Jamil.