I had the highest hopes for “The Paper” (Peacock, streaming), from the makers of “The Office,” but about the working staff of a small daily paper in Toledo. Domhnall Gleeson is welcome as the fresh-faced new editor in chief, as is his only competent staff member (Chelsea Frei). But everyone else is either too dim or way too exaggerated (Sabrina Impacciatore as an Italian managing editor) or too much a copy of the original show (Tim Key seems to be doing a Ricky Gervais impersonation).
Oscar Nuñez is there from the U.S. “Office,” in his old character; and he recognizes the crew of the documentary crew shooting this office as well. Yet nobody writing this seems to know much about newspapers — bad as they are getting, none are bad as this one. Maybe it will grow on me if it sticks around, but as it is, it’s several notches below the original.
The NFL season begins with the usual fanfare and Dallas at Philadelphia (NBC, 8:15 p.m.) preceded by a 75 minute “NFL Kickoff 2025” (NBC, 7 p.m.). Karol G plays the halftime show.
Following spinoffs titled “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “NCIS: Hawaii” and “NCIS: Sydney,” I don’t know why they’re not calling this new one “NCIS: Budapest.” But the new “NCIS: Tony & Ziva” (Paramount+, streaming) can likely better trade off the names of its two leads — former “NCIS” special agents played by Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. He left after season 12 of “NCIS” (which returns for season 23 next month). She left the original show in season 11, was apparently killed off screen in season 13, but returned for a few episodes in season 17. As this series begins, they’re behind bars.
The new series “Lynley” (BritBox, streaming) concerns a high-born outsider on the police force, paired with a working-class partner. Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay star.
“Project Runway” (Freeform, 10 p.m.) tries on some western wear.
The true crime series “Interrogation Raw” (A&E, 9 p.m.) returns for a new season.
“All the Queen’s Men” (BET+, streaming) has its fourth season finale.
The saga of Swagg Man is on “True Crime Story” (Sundance, 10 p.m.).
“Lost Treasures of Rome” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) finds the origins of Egypt’s first pharaohs.
Josh Gates looks for curses on “Expedition Files” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
“Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) has another live eviction — this one going to the jury house for the first time.
There’s a repeat of the 90-minute concert special “An Evening with Dua Lipa” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Miami” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) return from abroad but immediately go on a luxury cruise.
Katie thinks she was set up on “The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
“Not So Perfect Stranger” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.) is another made-for-TV thriller about a stalker, but at least this one is set in Niagara Falls.
An allegation is thrown during therapy on “Welcome to Plathville” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies has a trio of films that may or not be noir: “Monsieur Verdoux” (8 p.m.), “Blood on the Moon” (10:15 p.m.) and “Unfaithfully Yours” (midnight), followed by three beastly ones: “The Beast with Five Fingers” (2 a.m.), “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” (3:45 a.m.) and “Beast of the City” (5:15 a.m.).
Curing the day are New York City stories: “The Mayor of 44th Street” (7:45 a.m.), “No Time for Comedy” (9:15 a.m.), “Stage Struck” (11 a.m.), “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” (12:45 p.m.), “Sunday in New York” (2:30 p.m.), “Manhattan Melodrama” (4:30 p.m.) and “My Favorite Year” (6:15 p.m.).
Baseball includes Philadelphia at Milwaukee (MLB, 4 p.m.) and Yankees at Houston (MLB, 7:30 p.m.).
It’s down to the women’s singles semifinals at the U.S. Open (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
WNBA action has Phoenix at Washington (Prime Video, 7:30 p.m.) and Minnesota at Las Vegas (Prime Video, 10 p.m.).
Soccer includes Argentina vs. Venezuela (Universo, 7:25 p.m.), Suriname vs. Panama (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Bulgaria vs. Spain (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Brazil vs. Chile (Universo, 9:30 p.m.) and Guatemala vs. El Salvador (CBS Sports, 10 p.m.).
And it’s Norway vs. Finland (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.) in a men’s international friendly.
In women’s college volleyball, it’s Texas A&M at Utah (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Hough. The View: Hugh Jackman, Brian Kelly (repeat). Kelly Clarkson: Benicio Del Toro, Tom Daley, Taylor Jenkins Reid, James Blunt (repeat). Drew Barrymore: Sean Astin, Jessica St. Clair, Delina Medhin. Jennifer Hudson: Beth Behrs (repeat). Tamron Hall: Melissa G. Moore, Delimar Vera, Olivia LaVoice, Jane Parrent (repeat).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Katherine Maher. Jimmy Kimmel: Regina King, Michael Chiklis, Supergrass. Jimmy Fallon: LL Cool J, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Riley Green. Seth Meyers: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julio Torres. Taylor Tomlinson: Mark Duplass, Pete Holmes, Kate Micucci (rerun).