When “American Idol” (ABC, 8 p.m.) returns for its 24th (!) season tonight, it will have already tilted to country from pop, with a judges panel dominated by country stars. Not only Luke Bryan, but Carrie Underwood, herself the fourth season winner and one of the few bona fide stars created by the show. She joined last season, after Katy Perry quit. Even the remaining judge, Lionel Ritchie, once wrote hits for Kenny Rogers.
This year, “Idol” will have even more than a twang, with auditions occurring in Nashville rather than across the country; and instead of getting a Golden Ticket to Hollywood, it will be to Music City (the former Hollywood Week, meanwhile, will be in Hawaii). Other changes this season include social media voting in addition to phone and texts. But of course Ryan Seacrest persists as host.
When film editor Vivien Hillgrove began losing her sight she found a way to reinvent herself, a story she tells in her film “Vivien’s Wild Ride,” making its debut on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
The new series “History’s Deadliest with Ving Rhames” (History, 10 p.m.) has the actor looking at the scenes behind some of the world’s killers.
The Canadian police series that sounds more like a game show, “Wild Cards” (CW, 8 p.m.), about a detective working with a con artist to solve crimes, begins its third season.
A new season begins for the survivalist competition “Extracted” (Fox, 8 p.m.), in which competitors are dropped into the wild as their families watch remotely.
“Memory of a Killer” (Fox, 8 p.m.), the Patrick Dempsey series about a hitman with a double life that premiered Sunday, settles into its regular time slot with a second episode.
“St. Denis Medical” (NBC, 8 p.m.) hosts a senior health fair.
A college student has a life-threatening illness on “Brilliant Minds” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“The Rookie” (ABC, 10 p.m.) moves to a new time slot.
The charter season ends on “Below Deck Mediterranean” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
“History’s Greatest Mysteries” (History, 9 p.m.) goes to Area 51.
Teams have to create cakes that fit together lie a puzzle on “Baking Championship: Next Gen” (Food, 8 p.m.).
The artist Michael Kalish programs films tonight on Turner Classic Movies. HIs choices: “Rebel Without a Cause” (8 p.m.), “Blue Hawaii” (10 p.m.) and “The Maltese Falcon” (midnight). Then comes a pair with Jack Lemmon, “The Apartment” (1:45 a.m.) and “Days of Wine and Roses” (4 a.m.).
During the day are the films of Paul Newman, born this day in 1925, with “Sweet Bird of Youth” (6:30 a.m.), “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” (8:45 a.m.), “The Prize” (11 a.m.), “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1:30 p.m.), “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (3:30 p.m.) and “Cool Hand Luke” (5:30 p.m.).
NBA action has Orlando at Cleveland (Peacock, 7 p.m.), Portland at Boston (Peacock, 8 p.m.), and Golden State at Minnesota (Peacock, 9;30 p.m.).
Hockey has Boston at Ranger (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball has Louisville at Duke (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Penn State at Ohio State (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.) and Arizona at BYU (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
Women’s games have Tennessee at Ole Miss (ESPNU, 7 p.m.).
The Australian Open (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) reaches quarterfinals.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Jason Biggs. The View: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha. Kelly Clarkson: Chelsea Handler, Retta, Ricki Lake, Willis. Drew Barrymore: Desi Lydic, Bert Kreischer. Jennifer Hudson: Lisa Ann Walter, Suleika Jaouad. Tamron Hall: Chris Appleton, Molly Bloom, Kim Raver.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Charli XCX, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Jimmy Kimmel: Margot Robbie, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Jimmy Fallon: Pete Davidson, Paris Hilton, Don Toliver. Seth Meyers: Chris Hayes, Bob the Drag Queen.