TV’s most consistent music showcase marks four decades with the special two hour “Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) which brings back more than a dozen stars together to jam, including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Buddy Guy, Foo Fighters, Bonnie Raitt, Alabama Shakes, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmie Vaughan, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark Jr., Double Trouble and Joe Ely. Sheryl Crow and Jeff Bridges host the event, recorded in June at the show’s original studio as well as the Moody Theatre in Austin.
Another music special tonight is the one on the Nationals tour, taken by the lead singer’s younger brother, “Mistaken for Strangers” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
The 40th anniversary of “The first glimpse of the Disney takeover of George Lucas’ saga is seen on the new animated series “Star Wars Rebels” (Disney, 9 p.m.) featuring the voice of Freddie Prinze Jr. as a Jedi.
The latest competitive cooking show is “On the Menu” (TNT, 8 p.m.) hosted by Ty Pennington and Emeril Lagasse.
The first team cut from “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) were the blondes who thought the sun sets in the east. Today, they’re off to London.
A full day of divisional series today in postseason baseball starts before noon today with Detroit at Baltimore (TBS, 11:30 a.m.), San Francisco at Washington (Fox Sports 1, 3 p.m.), St. Louis at Dodgers (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) and Kansas City at Angels (TBS, 9 p.m.).
Ben Affleck, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Nicholas Kristof, Sam Harris and Michael Steele are on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
The 20-year-old case of a murdered nurse is picked up by Keith Morrison on “Dateline” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Still worth watching on a Friday night: “The Knick” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.).
An arctic challenge and a TV audition are on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
A month of films about Africa on Friday nights begins on Turner Classic Movies, starting with “The African Queen” (8 p.m.), “Sahara” (8 p.m.), “Beat the Devil” (midnight), “Casablanca” (2 a.m.) and “The Wind and the Lion” (4 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Claire Danes, Emily Ratajkowski. The View: B.J. Novak. The Talk: Tim Allen, Joseph A. Califano Jr., Bella Thorne, Jeff Mahin. Ellen DeGeneres: Jane Lynch, the Kloons. Wendy Williams: Don Lemon, Jane Velez-Mitchell, Siggy Flicker, Christine Bibbo Herr. Meredith Vieira: Bethenny Frankel, Melissa Etheridge. Queen Latifah: Tyson Beckford, Laurie Metcalf, Jackie Evancho.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Mariska Hargitay, Simon Amstell, Kandace Springs. Jimmy Fallon: Emma Thompson, Dane Cook. Jimmy Kimmel: Denzel Washington, Darby Stanchfield, the Script (rerun). Seth Meyers: Martha Stewart, Ana Gasteyer (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Nick Lachey, Chloe Bennet. Carson Daly: Jim Jeffries, Porter Robinson, Ned Benson (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Vanessa L. Williams.