One of the most compelling but often confounding dramas on TV, “The Diplomat” (Netflix, streaming) returns for a third season, where at least the action (preposterous as it sometimes can be) moves along faster than it did in season two. After the president’s sudden death, the vice president (a stern Alison Janney) is sworn in, and it seems like Keri Russell may well get a new job, away from the embassy in London. As usual, her estranged husband (Rufus Sewell) complicates things. The show pushes its “West Wing” bona fides by adding Bradley Whitford as the First Gentleman.
The second season of “Starting 5” (Netflix, streaming) concentrates on following a new handful of NBA stars: Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, James Harden of the Clippers, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics.
The “Young Sheldon” spinoff “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (CBS, 8 p.m.) returns for a second season with some squabbles at the tire store.
Back for its fifth season is the U.S. version of “Ghosts” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.), with Matt Walsh playing the devil’s emissary.
“Matlock” (CBS, 9 p.m.) has to protect a witness.
It’s the first day of surgical rotations amid hospital renovations on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Elsbeth” (CBS, 10 p.m.) negotiates with an ex-con (played by David Cross) during a hostage crisis.
Lisa demands an apology on last reunion episode that represents the seventh season finale of “The Real Housewives of Miami” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” (Fox, 9 p.m.) has recruits rappel down a 330-foot cliff.
A fish relay race in Stonington, Conn., happens on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“9-1-1” (ABC, 8 p.m.) responds to a geostorm; “9-1-1 Nashville” (ABC, 9 p.m.) faces a tornado.
A billionaire banker is murdered on “Law & Order” (NBC, 8 p.m.); a tween suffers a life-threatening miscarriage on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.); and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (NBC, 10 p.m.) tries to avoid an all-out war.
A women’s bereavement support group try to help a teenage girl being held captive in a cabin in the made-for-TV thriller “Little Girl in the Woods” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) attend a bridal lunch.
How the Incas fell to the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s is considered one of the “Greatest Mysteries Ever” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
“Mysteries From Above” (History, 9 p.m.) loos into mysterious holes in Israel.
There may not be room for Lorrana on “Seeking Sister Wife” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
“Lost Treasures of Ancient Civilizations” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) drops into Machu Picchu.
The month-long Thursday night showcase of Angela Lansbury also falls on her 100th birthday (she died in 2022 at 96). The roster tonight: “Gaslight” (8 p.m.), “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (10 p.m.), “The Manchurian Candidate” (midnight), “Kind Lady” (2:15 a.m.) and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (3:45 a.m.).
During the day are stories of the French Revolution with “Danton” (6 a.m.), “Start the Revolution Without Me” (8:30 a.m.), “The Scarlet Pimpernel” (10:15 a.m.), “The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel” (noon), “Marie Antoinette” (1:30 p.m.), “Voltaire” (4:15 p.m.) and “A Tale of Two Cities” (5:45 p.m.).
Game 3 of the National League Championship Series has Milwaukee at Los Angeles (TBS, truTV, HBO Max, 6 p.m.); Game 4 of the American League Championship Series has Toronto at Seattle (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.).
Thursday Night Football has Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.).
College football has Tulsa at East Carolina (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Edmonton at Islanders (Hulu, 7:30 p.m.).
Preseason basketball has Houston at Atlanta (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Richard Gere, Donnie Wahlberg, Monica Mangin. The View: Laurence Fishburne, Nick Offerman. Kelly Clarkson: Reese Witherspoon, Harlan Coben. Drew Barrymore: Aziz Ansari, Donnie Wahlberg, Sunny Anderson. Jennifer Hudson: Muni Long. Tamron Hall: Cam Newton, Ashley Nicole Moss.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Nick Offerman, José Andrés, Nathaniel Rateliff. Jimmy Kimmel: Maya Rudolph, Roy Wood Jr.., Wet Leg. Jimmy Fallon: Mariah Carey, Bozoma Saint John, Anderson Paak (rerun). Seth Meyers: Lionel Richie, Sarah Sherman (rerun).