With May sweeps and most of the finales over, network television can get back to the business of inserting shows not quite right for their fall or spring schedules.
“Gang Related” (Fox, 9 p.m.) is an action cop saga from Los Angeles about a cop in the Gang Task Force who maintains alliances with one of the main gang bosses who helped raise him. Much of the pilot is figuring out to whom his loyalties lie, but as the series plays out, actor Ramon Rodriguez mostly forges his own course of what’s right and wrong, trying to keep up appearances with both sides along the way.
While that may be interesting for a while, too much of the episodes are given to high caliber shootouts and cliched warnings. There also seems to be a scene of someone chained and tortured in each episode. And for as many Latino-American actors as this employs, it’s mostly in the same old roles as drug dealers and gang members.
Terry O’Quinn, the MVP of bad pilots, is here as the task force leader; RZA is here for humor mostly, believe it or not; Jay karnes’ appearance is meant to remind you of “The Shield,” though it only makes you think of how much better that was done. Still, it’s better than most summer cop shows.
“Labyrinth” (The CW, 8 p.m.), a two night miniseries “event” has a more interesting lineage. The adaptation of the 2005 novel by Kate Mosse is a German-South African co-production that first aired in several countries two summers ago. It’s about a modern day archeologist who finds an unusual ring that connects to a past where secrets of the true grail were kept and a sect, the Cathars, who were being pursecuted by Christians.
Like many CW series, it’s led by attractive women, in this case Jessica Brown Findlay, who was Lady Sibyl on “Downton Abbey,” and Vanessa Kirby, who was in “The Hour.” John Hurt is in the cast as well. Produced in part by Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, it’s got some nice scenery and a touch of class rare to the CW. But stretching a three hour film into a two night, four-hour miniseries means a labyrinth of advertising as well.
“Last Comic Standing” (NBC, 9 p.m.) opens its eighth season with a two hour premiere and a new panel of judges: Roseanne Barr, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Russell Peters.
Also back: “The American Bible Challenge” (GSN, 8 p.m.) with Jeff Foxworthy hosting, and a salon-based reality show I’ve nearly forgotten: “L.A. Hair” (WEtv, 9 p.m.).
Ten geography students compete in the annual Geo Bee 2014 (National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, 7 p.m.) from the network headquarters in D.C. Soledad O’Brien hosts.
Pork’s the dish on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Mekhi Phifer, Billy Eichner and Andy Richter are among those playing “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Marc and Jen try therapy on “Maron” (IFC, 10 p.m.).
Robert Osborne does the choosing tonight on Turner Classic Movies, with what sounds like real estate listings: “The House on 92nd Street” (8 p.m.), “The House on 56th Street” (9:45 p.m.), “Hobson’s Choice” (11 p.m.) and “The Belle of New York” (1 a.m.).
To hype the next movie, here’s the first three: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (FX, 4:30 p.m.), “X Men: The Last Stand” (FX, 7 p.m.) and “X-Men: First Class” (FX, 10 p.m.). And it’s not the only Marvel movie on: “Fantastic Four” (Cinemax, 8:15 p.m.).
Likewise, “The Mummy” (AMC, 7 p.m.) is followed by “The Mummy Returns” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s Montreal at Rangers (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Baseball includes Texas at Detroit (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Dodgers at Mets (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Patrick Stewart, Chris O’Dowd. The View: Seth MacFarlane, Audra McDonald, Margaret Hoover. The Talk: Arsenio Hall, Ellen K, Jamie Krell. Ellen DeGeneres: Jim Parsons, Sasha Alexander. Wendy Williams: Katie Couric, Pressure.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Stephen Colbert, Robin Roberts, Kelis (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Amanda Seyfried, Will Ferrell, Chad Smith. Jimmy Kimmel: Magic Johnson, T.J. Miller, Little Dragon. Seth Meyers: Hugh Jackman, Kevin Nealon, Ali Wong. Craig Ferguson: Tom Lennon, Bob Oshack, 2Cellos. Carson Daly: Giovanni Ribisi, Tinariwen, Gillian Robespierre. Tavis Smiley: Nell Bernsein, Ed O’Neill. Jon Stewart: Drew Barrymore. Stephen Colbert: Ray Mabus. Arsenio Hall: Randy Jackson, Lil Jon, Jackie Fabulous, Kym Whitley, Jermaine Dupri (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Ellen Page, Bob Saget, Jennifer Nettles. Chelsea Handler: Drew Barrymore, Adam Sandler, Jeff Wild, Arden Myrin, Julian McCullough. Pete Holmes: Rob Huebel, Joe Derosa.