A second season comes for “A Man on the Inside” (Netflix, streaming) Mike Schur’s lightweight caper series starring Ted Danson, who had been in his “The Good Place.” Here, Danson is a retiree who takes up private detective work, this time in a university setting. Like “Only Murders in the Building,”
it’s all gentle humor and low-stakes drama with a good deal of guest stars surrounding the central, white-haired star. This time around, he gets to pair with his real life wife Mary Steenburgen, as a free spirited music professor, though the “Haven’t I seen you before” likes are a little too cute. Also among the cast this season are Gary Cole, Max Greenfield, David Strathairn and Jason Mantzoukas.
“The American Revolution” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) reaches its penultimate episode, covering late 1777 to the spring of 1780 as the war moves to Indian country and the South. I’m thinking there should be certificates given for completion tomorrow.
Are we still doing “Miss Universe” (Telemundo, 8 p.m.)? Apparently so, the finals run live from Bangkok. Already two judges have quit, complaining about the process of reducing the 136 contestants to 3-. There’s also some people wondering why there are five candidates from the U.S. (though they carry the sashes of Cuba, Nicaragua and Ecuador (There’s both a Miss U.S.A. and a Miss Latina from America). There was also that little walkout after Miss Mexico was insulted by an official. The ceremony in English will be carried only on Roku.
A winner is named on the season finale of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Ghosts” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) look for a better babysitter.
Connor tries to figure out a plan for his life on “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) chefs try to
A CEO is murdered the night before his wedding on “Law & Order” (NBC, 8 p.m.); a kidnapping claim seems fishy on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m); and Stabler goes rogue in the hunt for Emery on “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Elsbeth” (CBS, 9 p.m.) investigates a murder scene at a convent. Dianne Wiest guest stars.
The father of four is found in the river on “Murder on Trial” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
“Mistletoe Murders: The Ides of December” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.) concerns a murder of someone guarding a high profile painting.
The cause of the fall of the Roman Empire is one of the “Greatest Mysteries Ever” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) wrap up their reunion episodes, before a holiday-themed dispatch from “BravoCon Live with Andy Cohen” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Performance enhancing drugs arise on the third episode of “Alex vs. A-Rod” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
“Wife Stalker” (Lifetime Movie Network, 9 p.m.), a made-for-TV thriller involves a marriage threatened by a wellness center owner.
A bog body is one of the “Strangest Things” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
Noir-like films are on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “Point Blank” (8 p.m.), “The Late Show” (10 p.m.) and “Performance” (midnight), as well as two more from Nicholas Roeg, “Walkabout” (2 a.m.) and “Insignificance” (4 a.m.).
During the days are the films of director Vincent Sherman, with “The Return of Doctor X” (6:30 a.m.), “Backfire” (7:45 a.m.), “The Man Who Talked Too Much” (9:30 a.m.), “Saturday’s Children” (11 a.m.), “Janie Gets Married” (12:45 p.m.), “In Our Time” (2:30 p.m.), “All Through the Night” (4:30 p.m.) and “Flight from Destiny” (6:30 p.m.).
Thursday night football has Buffalo at Houston (Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.).
Basketball includes Indiana at Cleveland (Prime Video, 7 p.m.).
NHL action has Edmonton at Tampa Bay (Hulu, 7:30 p.m.) and Los Angeles at San Jose (Hulu, 10 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Bucknell at St. John’s (TNT, truTV, 7 p.m.), New Mexico at Nebraska (Peacock, 7 p.m.), Pittsburgh at UCF (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Wake Forest at Texas Tech (CBS Sports, 8:30 p.m.), Rider at Houston (TNT, truTV, 9 p.m.) and Mississippi State at Kansas State (Peacock, 9:30 p.m.).
Women’s games include Davidson at Miami (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Duke at South Florida (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and Iowa at Baylor (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
Women’s college volleyball has Illinois at UCLA (Fox Sports 1, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Jeff Goldblum, Sherri Shepherd. The View: Nate Berkus. Kelly Clarkson: Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Marcia Gay Harden, Lauren Roberts, Rocky Kanaka. Drew Barrymore: Minka Kelly, Dr. Amy Wechsler. Jennifer Hudson: Brittany Snow (rerun). Tamron Hall: Emily Leibert.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Billy Strings. Jimmy Kimmel: Kerry Washington, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Lord Huron. Jimmy Fallon: Jennifer Lawrence, Tom Felton, Daniel Caesar (rerun). Seth Meyers: Cynthia Erivo, Brooks Wheelan. Daily Show: Sebastian Maniscalco.