The worst aspects of the grownup world eventually filter down to kids through specials. It happens tonight as the current pandemic crisis is explored for small fry on the widely disseminated special “Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate” (HBO, HGO Latino, PBS Kids, TBS, TNT, truTV, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, 7 p.m.) in which furry favorites like Elmo, Grover and Cookie Monster are joined by guest stars including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway and Tracee Ellis Ross to try to explain it all.
Another special for grownups, “Oprah Talks Covid-19: The Deadly Impact on Black America” (OWN, 11 p.m.) is also streaming starting today on Apple TV+.
It looks like public television is taking a serious look at mental health lapses in the U.S. all week, as if to take our mind off of the pandemic. After Monday’s eye-opening “Bedlam,” here’s “The Definition of Insanity” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), which displays a criminal justice approach to mental illness in Miami-Dade County.
A spinoff of the popular “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery, 8 p.m.),which is starting its new season, “Deadliest Catch: Bloodline” (Discovery, 10 pm.) focuses on the fishing of Capt. Josh Harris, son the late Phil Harris, who departs the seas of the 49th state for the tropical waters of the 50th.
The comic and occasional sitcom star gets a new special, “Chris D’Elia: No Pain” (Netflix, streaming), shot in Minneapolis.
In the season finale of “New Amsterdam” (NBC, 9 p.m.), multiple patients have the same symptoms.
Lucious discovers some of Andre’s mistakes on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
On “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.), Christopher Lloyd plays a guy who claims he was at Pearl Harbor.
Ken Burns helped produce “The Gene: An Intimate History” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) which tracks recent developments.
Rainbow is there when Earth Day started on “mixed-ish” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS, 9 p.m.) doubles up with a pair of episodes.
Three winners try to take down judge Scott Conant on “Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.).
“One Day at a Time” (Pop, 9:30 p.m.) celebrates Halloween.
Tray meets his new neighbors on “The Last O.G.” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
“The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch” (History, 10 p.m.) thinks it sees a pair of UFOs.
Here’s something people who have been sheltering in place have been doing: “Supermarket Stakeout” (Food, 10 p.m.).
Aaron wants to represent a longtime inmate on “For Life” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
On “Blackish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.), Pops goes back to partying and gambling.
Vegas is the destination to celebrate the wedding on “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Amy has big news on “Little People, Big World” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
On “The Conners” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Darlene realizes she wants a baby.
It’s Mike’s birthday on “Bless This Mess” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
Clifton Webb stars on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “Cheaper by the Dozen” (8 p.m.), “The Man Who Never Was” (9:45 p.m.), “Laura” (11:45 p.m.) and “Sitting Pretty” (1:30 a.m.), followed by the 1961 “Bachelor in Paradise” (3:15 a.m.).
During the day are films about amnesia: “Mister Buddwing” (6 a.m.), “The Right of Way” (7:45 a.m.), “The Third Day” (9 a.m.), “Journal of a Crime” (11:15 a.m.), “Violence” (12:30 p.m.), “Crossroads” (2 p.m.), “Two in the Dark” (3:30 p.m.), “Two O’Clock Courage” (5 p.m.) and “Hysteria” (6:15 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Dove Cameron, Denise Richards, Sebastian Maniscalco. The View: Chris Christie, Cookie Monster. The Talk: Olivia Munn, Laura Prepon. Ellen DeGeneres: Jimmy Kimmel. Kelly Clarkson: Reba McEntire, Grant Harrold, Lesley Nicol (rerun). Tamron Hall: DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pastor Tony Spell. Wendy Williams: Kenya Moore. The Real: Ron Funches.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Dr. Jonathan LaPook, Cate Blanchett. Jimmy Kimmel: George Stephanopoulos. Jimmy Fallon: Michael Shannon, JJ Watt, Rita Ora. Seth Meyers: Billy Eichner. James Corden: Dan Levy, Meghan Trainor. Lilly Singh: Nikki Glaser. Conan O’Brien: Keegan-Michael Key.