The success of “The Walking Dead” has seemed to broaden the possibilities for horror series on cable and “The Strain” (FX, 10 p.m.) arrives with a solid cast, actual chills and a crucial dose of humor that makes the tale of a strain imported to modern New York through an ancient casket a much more satisfying show than most of its type.
Credit Guillermo del Toro for an assured, frightful scnerio leavened with the lighter touch that we’ll credit to Carlton Cuse, the former “Lost” producer who brought a similarly entertaining tone to “Bates Motel.”
Corey Stoll, so memorable in his role on season one of “House of Cards,” returns (with hair) to play a CDC responder arriving to an airport where a plane has arrived with everyone onboard dead. There are some weird things about the series, such as the concentration on the doctor’s home life or how the zombies sometimes move like dance teams. But somehow those small lapses all add to the charm as well. It’s certainly the best of the summer’s sci-fi spin.
Here it is, the World Cup final: Germany vs. Argentina (ABC, 3 p.m.).
New seasons start for two strong Showtime shows, “Masters of Sex” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), which should be considered by now one of TV’s best dramas, alongside the second season start for “Ray Donovan” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
The cleverly named “Game of Crowns” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) has nothing to do with “Game of Thrones,” but looks at Mrs. America candidates from New England who prove they can be as sniping and mean as the similarly gussied up women on the other Bravo housewives shows. Speaking of which, a new season starts for “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Another new reality series “Lone Star Lady” (A&E, 10 p.m.) follows a woman running a ranch and family in Johnson City, Texas.
He’s still on the trail of fugitives he was on “America’s Most Wanted,” but becomes the latest established cable reality host to get a show on the former 24-hour news channel with “The Hunt with John Walsh” (CNN, 9 p.m.).
For those who have been put off so far by the bleak view in “The Leftovers” (HBO, 10 p.m.) should be more reassured by tonight’s episode, which like choice episodes from Damon Lindelof’s last series “Lost,” succeeds by concentrating on a single character — the local preacher (Christopher Eccleston) who is confident that those who disappeared deserved it, and has to go to the casino to raise money to keep his church.
A second elimination comes on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Run out of princess films to show the kids? Here’s a couple of oldies: Shirley Temple in the 1939 “The Little Princess” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and Olivia deHavilland in the 1943 “Princess O’Rourke” (TCM, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes St. Louis at Milwaukee (TBS, 2 p.m.) and Yankees at Baltimore (ESPN, 8 p.m.). WNBA action includes Los Angeles at Connecticut (NBATV, 1 p.m.) and Seattle at Minnesota (ESPN2, 3 p.m.).
The Tour de France (NBC Sports, 8 a.m.) travels from Gerardmer to Mulhouse in stage nine.
Sunday Talk
ABC: Attorney General Eric Holder, former White House senior adviser David Plouffe. CBS: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gov. Rick Perry, Reps. Lamar Smith, Loretta Sanchez and Luis V. Gutierrez, PLO representative to the U.S. Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat. NBC: Iranian Foreigh Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, former Mideast peace envoy Martin Indyk, Reps. Mike Rogers, Joaquin Castro, former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, former Sen. Rick Santorum. CNN: Reps. Marsha Blackburn, Donna Edwards, Aaron Shock and Beto O’Rourke. Fox News: Netanyahu, Perry. Rep. Michael McCaul. d