Just yesterday, Steve Buscemi was putting in good work on the last season premiere of his series “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO2, 8 p.m.; HBO, 1 a.m.) . Tonight, he turns back to his pre-acting job, as a fireman, to talk with some of his old colleagues about what it’s like on the job in a film he made with experienced documentarian Liz Garbus, “A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
He gets some good inside stories from guys notorious for keeping mum on the tragedies; but he also covers the entry of women and minorities into the ranks. And because they talk a bit about the 9/11 response, it serves as yet another anniversary week remembrance.
Another documentary tonight, “The Genius of Marian” on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), looks at the devastating affects of early-onsetAlzheimer’s on a lively 61-year-old woman who was trying to put finishing touches on a project about her own mother, an accomplished painter who herself died of the disease. It’s up to son and grandson Banker White to chronicle his mothers struggles in a heartbreaking and loving portrait that’s full of fascinating characters.
While better than the hopeless “Bachelor Pad,” the summer romp of “Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC, 8 p.m.) was too easy to master — just pair up with someone quick and promise not to vote each other out. Talk about being there for the wrong reasons. Tonight, things change a bit because they have to — it’s the season finale. But, sigh, it will still take two hours.
As if to fill in the bad dating show in between, here’s “Love Prison” (A&E, 10 p.m.) in which couples who’ve met online have to live together under the same roof to see how they get along without emojis and stuff.
It’s the end of “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (NBC, 8 p.m.) as well, so he takes an athlete along, Deion Sanders. And a winner is named on another two hour reality show, “American Ninja Warrior” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
It’s Giants at Lions (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Chargers at Cardinals (ESPN, 10:15 p.m.) in a Monday Night Football kickoff double header.
And the men’s final in the U.S. Open (CBS, 5 p.m.) has perennial winner Roger Federer vs. first timer Kei Nishikori, in fact the first Asian-born man to reach a Grand Slam final.
Already there’s a love triangle on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.) and it’s not Tyra loving Tyra loving Tyra.
There’s no global warming “Under the Dome” (CBS, 10 p.m.); in fact temperatures are plummeting, like the ratings.
It’s a week or so before prime time fall season begins, but daytime TV starts happening today, with “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated, check local listings) back with its first new show for the first time in three months with the cast of “The Voice,” Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5.
Likewise, Terry Crews takes over as host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (ABC, check local listings) even as the former host takes on her own daytime show, “The Meredith Vieira Show” (NBC, check local listings). I did a story about her plans earlier.
The Canadian comedic actress Beatrice Lillie is the star on Turner Classic Movies, with “On Approval” (8 p.m.), “Exit Smiling” (9:30 p.m.), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (11 p.m.), “Show of Shows” (1:45 a.m.) and “Around the World in 80 Days” (4 a.m.).
Baseball today includes Angels at Cleveland (MLB, 1 p.m.), Kansas City at Detroit (MLB, 4 p.m.) and St. Louis at Cincinnati (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Steve Buscemi, Max Greenfield. The View: David Letterman, Michael J. Fox, Jane Fonda (rerun). The Talk: Judge Judy Sheindlin, Kevin Frazier, Graham Elliot. Ellen DeGeneres: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5. Wendy WIlliams: Jennifer Lopez (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bill Maher, Henrik Lundqvist, Spoon. Jimmy Fallon: Jason Segel, Steve Harvey, Alicia Keys. Jimmy Kimmel: Lena Dunham, Ben Schwartz, Misterwives. Seth Meyers: Tony Parker, Max Greenfield, Banks. Craig Ferguson: Katey Sagal, Michael Irvin. Carson Daly: Matt Taibbi, Tinariwen, Steven Knight (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Diane Ravitch, Dr. John Deasy. Jon Stewart: Adam Levine (rerun). Stephen Colbert: John Lithgow. Conan O’Brien: Mel Brooks, Adam Devine, Alt-J.