In a topsy turvy world, it’s fitting that there’s a return for “The Joe Schmo Show” (TBS, 9 p.m.), a reality series in which one contestant who believes he’s on a real competition is instead surrounded by paid, scripted and improv actors, and he’s never told the joke’s on him.
The first season, in 2003, had a then-unknown Kristin Wiig among the cast members, pranking the poor mark, while Ralph Garman hosted. The host this time around is Cat Deeley and the target, an electrician from Baltimore, aiming for the $100,000 prize. Buoyed by the critical success elsewhere of very similar “Jury Duty,” the 10-episode season of “Joe Schmo” is the show’s first in 12 years.
Something like “Deal or No Deal Island” (NBC, 9 p.m.) sometimes seems like it could be a fake reality show as well.
A new “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m.) looks at Trump’s unlikely return to power, despite being a felon.
Elon Musk celebrated Washington’s change in power Monday with a Nazi salute, so it’s fitting that Turner Classic Movies programmed a slate of anti-fascist movies all day with “Black Legion” (8:45 a.m.), “Confessions of a Nazi Spy” (10:15 a.m.), “The Mortal Storm” (noon), “The Great Dictator” (1:45 p.m.), “The Seventh Cross” (4 p.m.) and “Edge of Darkness” (6 p.m.).
“St. Denis Medical” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has a discussion about intimacy in the workplace.
Author Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove learn of their past on “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
“Night Court” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) navigates a couple of stories about romances.
A magic show literally kills on “The Irrational” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Will Trent” (ABC, 8 p.m.) looks into a series of poisonings in a family-owned business.
A nanny is found bludgeoned to death on “High Potential” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“The Rookie” (ABC, 10 p.m.) looks locate Jason.
Priscilla plans to trick Hunter into leaving the residence on “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” (BET, 9 p.m.).
“Lucy Worsley Investigates” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate King James I of England.
Paris reveals the truth about her past on “Carl Weber’s The Family Business” (BET, 10 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) can’t even relax at the day spa.
Tensions rise between Bambi and Scrappy on “Live & Hip Hop: Atlanta” (MTV, 8 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) end their Puerto Rico trip, badly.
Chefs bid for key ingredients on “Chopped” (Food, 8 p.m.).
“The Rachel Maddow Show” (MSNBC, 9 p.m.) isn’t just for Monday anymore. She’ll host the show weeknights again in the new administration’s first 100 days.
Baylen is invited to a Tourette’s Convention on “Baylen Out Loud” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
“Life Below Zero” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) sees spring returning. But winter is approaching on “Port Protection Alaska” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.).
The month-long Tuesday night salute to George Raft on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Background to Danger” (8 p.m.), “Johnny Angel” (9:30 p.m.), “Nocturne” (11 p.m.), “Race Street” (12:45 a.m.) and “Around the World in 80 Days” (2:15 a.m.).
NBA action has Knicks at Nets (TNT, truTV, 7:30 p.m.) and Philadelphia at Denver (TNT, truTV, 10 p.m.).
Inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame (MLB, 6 p.m.) are announced today.
Men’s college basketball includes Mississippi State at Tennessee (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Butler at UConn (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Texas Tech at Cincinnati (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), VCU at Rhode Island (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Ohio State at Purdue (Peacock, 7:30 p.m.), Arizona State at West Virginia (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Arizona at Oklahoma State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), North Carolina at Wake Forest (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Creighton at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Wisconsin at UCLA (Peacock, 9:30 p.m.), BYU at Colorado (ESPNU, 11 p.m.) and Wyoming at UNLV (CBS Sports, 11 p.m.).
Tennis’ Australian Open (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) reaches quarterfinals.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Naomi Watts, Ken Jennings. The View: Roy Wood Jr. Drew Barrymore: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Ben Stiller, Geoffrey Zakarian. Jennifer Hudson: Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Tamron Hall: Glozell Green, David Devore Jr., Tay Zonday.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Michelle Yeoh, Britt Lower. Jimmy Kimmel: Sterling K. Brown, Jayson Tatum, the Milk Carton Kids, Vera Sola. Jimmy Fallon: Sarah Silverman, Bobby Cannavale, Lola Young. Seth Meyers: Adam Scott, Julia Fox, Greg Davies, Alex Horne. Taylor Tomlinson: Mary Lynn Rajskub, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn. Daily Show: Stephanie Hsu.