In a wild political season, the one scheduled Vice Presidential Debate (CBS, 9 p.m.) takes on greater importance as it very likely will be only remaining debate of any kind before the Nov. 5 Election Day. The 90-minute debate from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York will be moderated by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan of “Face the Nation,” who have already said they won’t be doing “fact checking.” Which means they’re opening the airwaves to any number of lies, including the myth of migrant pet cuisine in Ohio.
The debate will be shared widely, simulcast on ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, CNN and CSPAN, among others. Most will preface (and follow) with analysis. But public TV will offer a history of vice presidency on “American Experience” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), focusing on the instances in 1963 and 1974, when the No. 2 had to move up.
Post-debate, in addition to the all of the analysis, there will be a live “Late Night with Stephen Colbert” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.) to get a first crack at the jokes.
It’s not as if there isn’t competition on TV outside of politics. Baseball begins its Wild Card games, for example, which begin in the afternoon with Detroit at Houston (ABC, 2:30 p.m.), Kansas City at Baltimore (ESPN2, 4 p.m.) and Mets at Milwaukee (ESPN, 5:30 p.m.). The evening game is Atlanta at San Diego (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
And I have the feeling the undecided voters will be either watching the season premiere of “The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) or WWE NXT (CW, 8 p.m.).
It’s October, so it’s time for the sixth season of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula” (Shudder, streaming), a drag competition with guest judges that include Jennifer Tilly, Tatiana Maslany and Joe Bob Briggs.
From Sweden comes a new real estate show, selling coastal Spanish homes on “Making It in Marbella” (Netflix, streaming).
“Welcome to Plathville” (TLC, 10 p.m.) ends its season with a family band concert goes wrong.
A body is found at a high school reunion on “Murder in a Small Town” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
On “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” (FX, 10 p.m.) he prepares for the NFL Draft, trying to hide aspects of his past.
Reginald is starting to act weird on “Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living” (BET, 9:30 p.m.).
“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (BET, 9 p.m.) prepares for Father’s Day.
Keith suffers a cardiac event on “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
“Last Bite Hotel” (Food, 9 p.m.) contestants have to make a steak feast for Poppy O’Toole.
Turner Classic Movies begins the month with a Tuesday series of period films all day, which begins with “Adventures of Don Juan” (6 a.m.), “The Firefly” (8 a.m.), “Conquest” (10:15 a.m.), “Queen Christina” (12:15 p.m.), “The Scarlet Empress” (2 p.m.), “Mary of Scotland” (3:45 p.m.), “Young Bess” (6 p.m.), “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” (8 p.m.), “Anne of the Thousand Days” (10 p.m.), “Mrs. Brown” (midnight), “Anna and the King of Siam” (2:45 a.m.) and “Marie Antoinette” (5 a.m.).
WNBA Playoffs have Las Vegas at New York (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) and Connecticut at Minnesota (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.).
Preseason hockey includes New Jersey at Rangers (TNT, truTV, 7 p.m.) and Vegas at Colorado (TNT, truTV, 9:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Paul Reiser, Barry Sonnefeld, Andy Grammer with Maddie & Tae. The View: Kate McKinnon, Patrice Jetter, Ted Passon. The Talk: Uzo Aduba, Rea Ann Silva, Ariana Madix. Kelly Clarkson: Roy Wood Jr., Cooper Koch, Jade Irvine, Squirrel Spa, Michael Bublé. Drew Barrymore: Valerie Bertinelli. Jennifer Hudson: Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Chris Hayes, Brittany Howard. Jimmy Kimmel: Lady Gaga, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Jimmy Fallon: Sarah Paulson, Jack Antonoff, Teddy Swims. Seth Meyers: Kate McKinnon, Zachary Quinto. Taylor Tomlinson: Preacher Lawson, Rachel Scanlon, Ian Karmel. Daily Show: Paola Ramos.