Send in the cranks.
In a week that began with the third season return of “Louie,” here comes another generally annoyed middle aged man. “Maron” (IFC, 10 p.m.) returns with a more assured pace, covering the fictionalized life of the comic who has sustained his career of late with a podcast he conducts with other comics in his garage.
This gives the opportunity to used a lot of other comics including, in the premiere, Sarah Silverman. But he goes a little further, getting himself booked on “The Walking Dead” aftershow, “The Talking Dead” with Michael Ian Black and the omnipresent Chris Hardwick (the two appeared together on his “@Midnight” (Comedy Central, midnight) just last night. But here, the idea is that Hardiwick can’t stand him and treats him poorly on the show. Which he kind of deserves, since he doesn’t know a thing about the “Talking Dead” and proceeds to take down the series in a series of questions.
Things change in the self-contained episodes; he has a girlfriend in the first episode, who seems to be gone in most of the other episodes. He still has a live-in assistant — Josh Brener, who is also on “Silicon Valley” (HBO, 9:30 p.m.) as Big Head — and Sally Kellerman returns as his mother. Other guest stars include Ray Romano, Conan O’Brien and David Cross, among others. It’s good to have him back.
It’s paired with a third season of “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 10:30 .m.), the absurdist comedy talk show that features Patton Oswalt tonight.
Speaking of Louis C.K., he’s among the nominees for the “American Comedy Awards” (NBC, 9 p.m.) an event that also has among its nominees Hannibal Burress, Jim Gaffigan, Kevin Hart and Patton Oswalt. Bill Cosby gets the big award, the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence.
Under the category of “is this still on?,” “Two and a Half Men” (CBS, 9 p.m.) concludes its second season with Ashton Kutcher and 11th overall. Brad Paisley guest stars as the ex of Kimberly Williams, his actual wife, in a wedding episode between Williams and Jon Cryer. Yes, it’s returning for a 12th season in the fall, when the “half” guy will be 20. Not likely to reach 12 episodes, let alone seasons: “Bad Teacher” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.).
The biggest money game show on TV, despite what anyone tells you, is this one: The NFL Draft (ESPN, 8 p.m.), the football event presented like a game show. Its first round begins tonight (with additional rounds scheduled Friday).
The final three is presented on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and I have lots of ideas of who should go, starting with both guys.
John Legend, Andy Roddick, Chrissy Teigen, Brooklyn Decker and Donald Faison are among the contestants on a new “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
A reminder that “Surviving Jack” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.), ending its only season tonight, is a sitcom, not a “24” talk show.
The top 12 compete as teams on “Top Chef” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“Dates from Hell” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.) is preceded by “Karma’s a B*tch” (Investigation Discovery), 8 p.m.), though in real life the two are usually reversed.
Hit plays from the 1960s that also became movies included “The Best Man” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “A Thousand Clowns” (TCM, 10 p.m.), “The Night of the Iguana” (TCM, 12:15 a.m.), “The Subject was Roses” (TCM, 2:30 a.m.) and “Marat/Sade: The Persecution and Assassination of jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asy” (TCM, 4:30 a.m.).
NBA playoff action tonight includes Brooklyn at Miami (ESPN2 7 p.m.) and Portland at San Antonio (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.). In the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s Boston at Montreal (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Anaheim at Los Angeles (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes Houston at Detroit (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Philadelphia at Toronto (MLB, 7 p.m.).
The Players Championship (Golf, 1 p.m.) begins first round action.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jon Hamm, Roger Goodell. The View: Rick & Kay Warren, Sarah McLachlan, LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The Talk: Sharon Stone, Lisa Ingrassia, Debi Mazar, Gabriele Corcos. Ellen DeGeneres: Connie Britton, Ellie Kemper. Wendy Williams: Patricia Heaton, Jerry Springer.
Late Talk
David Letterman: James Franco, Idina Menzel, cast of “If/Then.” Jimmy Fallon: Michael Fassbender, Zoe Saldana. Jimmy Kimmel: Kobe Bryant, Lake Bell, Pharrell Williams. Seth Meyers: Jon Hamm, Larry King, Misty Copeland. Craig Ferguson: Lisa Kudrow. Carson Daly: Jose Antonio Vargas, Kodaline, Cameron Esposito. Tavis Smiley: Sen. Robert Menendez, Hugh Dancy. Jon Stewart: Katie Couric. Stephen Colbert: Ellen Page. Arsenio Hall: Talib Kweli, DJ Eque. Conan O’Brien: Sharon Stone, Marc Maron, Rodrigo y Gabriela. Chelsea Handler: Dave Franco, Nick Thune, Heather McDonald, Ian Karmel. Pete Holmes: Trixie Garcia, Zach Sherwin.