In a summer of dismaying world events, the strife in Iraq undermining the invasion and decade long war gets a close look on “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) that shows problems in the country from when the statue of Saddam Hussein was famously taken down (but not without American help, it is noted) and the looting that followed that foreshadowed the coming chaos, caused by setting up a country that favored one group over another. “Frontline” is very good at establishing context and providing clarity.
Michigan’s Dark Brewing Company doesn’t have much of a history; it started brewing in 1997. Still, it’s landed the latest History channel series about their business, “Dark Horse Nation” (History, 10 p.m.).
A second season of the stylish cooking competition “Knife Fight” (Esquire, 10 p.m.) begins in the kitchen of Ilan Hall’s Los Angeles restaurant the Gorbals. First up is a pair who have to use a forequarter of beef.
In the network cooking challenge, “Food Fighters” (NBC, 8 p.m.), Cat Cora is guest.
Season six of “The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) is all over but the arguments at the reunion, which starts tonight, with part one (of three!).
Brother Greg Holewinske, the last surviving witness to the exorcism that inspired “The Exorcism” talks about the experience without cussing or spitting green pea soup on “The Unexplained Files” (Science Channel, 10 p.m.) (Good to have a good religious tale on the science channel).
Talks with an opposition leader don’t go so well on “Tyrant” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Tony goes to an auction on “Matador” (El Rey, 9 p.m.).
“Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) returns for its fourth season, accompanied by a spin-off starring one of its former students, Asia Monet Ray, in “Raising Asia” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
A dozen of the Top 48 perform in the first live program of “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.) from Radio City Music Hall.
Patton Oswalt potrays Charles Sumner, the senator who got caned on the floor, on tonight’s “Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
Life’s too short, so April skips work on “Chasing Life” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.).
As if he doesn’t have enough problems with his industry, a book seller also gets murdered on “Rizzoli & Isles” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
They’re not reinventing the wheel on “Motor City Masters” (truTV, 10 p.m.), just the steering wheel.
Rocco DiSpirito talks about his addiction of being on reality shows, any reality show, in an appearance on “Extreme Weight Loss” (ABC, 8 p.m.), in which he’s an advisor not a subject.
Plaxico Burress and DJ Paul exchange partners and probably say, “What are you famous for, again?” on tonight’s “Celebrity Wife Swap” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The “Hooters” copycat eateries, now known as “breasturants” are examined in the leering “Bosom Bars” (Destination America, 10 p.m.). It’s a kind of name that would probably suit the place in “Coyote Ugly” (encore, 9:30 p.m.).
It’s family day on “Bad Girls Club” (Oxyben, 8 p.m.). But a fight still probably breaks out.
They keep it in Jersey when competitors on “Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker” (TLC, 9 p.m.) have to do replicas of Theresa Caputo.
The surprising musical about the 60s hitmakers “Family Band: The Cowsills Story” (Showtime 2, 10 p.m.) gets a cable showing.
Two pop-up eateries compete in Los Angeles on The month-long Tuesday night salute to Maureen O’Hara on Turner Classic Movies comes to a close with “Rio Grande” (8 p.m.), “Spencer’s Mountain” (10 p.m.), “The Battle of the Villa Florita” (12:15 a.m.) and “Fire Over Africa” (2:15 a.m.).
Baseball today includes Yankees at Rangers (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.) and Atlanta at Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
WBA action includes Chicago at San Antonio (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and Los Angeles at Phoenix (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
A couple of international soccer teams play in the U.S., near D.C. with Manchester United vs. Inter Milan (NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: James Franco, Andi Dorfman. The View: Chadwick Boseman, Lara Spencer and Juliet Huddy. The Talk: Jon Voight, Michael Yo, Susan Feniger. Ellen DeGeneres: Leah Remini (rerun). Wendy Williams: Master P (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Rodrigo y Gabriela. Jimmy Fallon: Vin Diesel, Aubrey Plaza, will.i.am. Jimmy Kimmel: Daniel Radcliffe, Abigail Spencer, Kiesza. Seth Meyers: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lee Pace, Scott Aukerman. Craig Ferguson: Jamie Chung. Carson Daly: Richard Ayoade, Franz Ferdinand, Royal Canoe (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Medley. Jon Stewart: Sara Firth. Stephen Colbert: Jon Patiste & Stay Human. Arsenio Hall: Cloris Leachman, Tommy Chong, Ashley Wagner, J. Holiday (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Steven Ho, Molly Shannon, Mike Recine (rerun). Chelsea Handler: John C. Reilly, John Caparulo, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Ross Mathews.