It’s a dark irony that Cynthia Hill’s compelling documentary on domestic abuse “Private Violence” (HBO, 9 p.m.) is playing opposite the NFL, where a number of cases have been recently made headlines.
Her film, marking the 20th anniversary of the VIolence Against Women Act, concentrates on an advocate in North Carolina who works chiefly with a harrowing case of a young wife and mother who were kidnapped and beaten on a trip in an 18 wheeler in California on Halloween night 2008 before she finally was freed and sent to the hospital in Oklahoma.
The central question answered in the film is why women often return to their violent partners, showing how fear of brutal retaliation keeps them there. Statistics show 48 percent of women killed in domestic violence homicides are murdered after they leave or are trying to leave. There is an optimism in the film, as victims gather strength to testify and see their abusers jailed.
And the hitting in the field continues on Monday Night Football, with Houston at Pittsburgh (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
There doesn’t seem to have been too many changes of “American Dad” (TBS, 9 p.m.) as it moves from Fox to cable. It’s not any funnier, certainly. In the 10th season premiere, Haley dyes her hair blonde to get her causes across, but finds that famous people at fundraisers are pretty much hypocrites. Also Stan looks at a house in a gated community.
“The Millers” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) returns for its second season, with that touch of sitcom desperation: Sean Hayes joins the cast.
In the new “Hungry Games” (Food Network, 8 p.m.), Richard Blais of “Top Chef” examines the food cravings of everyday people.
Twins who were adopted in two different countries, Norway and the U.S., finally meet when they are 8 years old in the documentary “Twin Sisters” on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
As the battle rounds continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), how about a jam session featuring the team advisors Stevie Nicks, Alicia Keys, Gavin Rossdale and Little Big Town.
It’s Pitbull night on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.), which means he will be performing, sitting at the judges table and participating in song choices as contestants return to their original partners. Also, Leah Remini will take a turn as co-host, as Erin Andrews takes time off to cover the World Series.
Too soon for an Ebola-like epidemic storyline on “The Blacklist” (NBC, 10 p.m.)?
A new drug hits the streets of “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Litigation may be the first action toward the wrongful insemination that is the basis of the series “Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
A kid kills the ice cream man on “Castle” (ABC, 10 p.m.), which doesn’t seem right.
Robert Osborne picks the films tonight on Turner Classic Movies. His choices: “Saboteur” (8 p.m.), “Kings Row” (10 p.m.), “Juke Girl” (12:15 a.m.), “Lili” (2 a.m.) and “Teresa” (3:30 a.m.).
I would think that a day-long marathon of “Friday the 13” (AMC, 9 a.m.) and its sequels would lessen their impact.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Naomi Watts, Tori Spelling. The View: Scott Foley, Clark Gregg. The Talk: Billy Idol, Brian McDaniel, Jet Tila, Kristine Johnson. Ellen DeGeneres: Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy. Wendy Williams: ALex Miranda. Meredith Vieira: Paula Abdul. Queen Latifah: Katey Segal, Bethany Hamilton.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Robert Downey Jr., Sarah Paulson, Lizza (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Jason Segel, Steve Harvey, Alicia Keys (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Ice Cube, Science Bob Pflugfelder, Bush. Seth Meyers: Connie Britton, Ben McKenzie, Vance Joy (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Sarah Paulson, Jim Rash. Carson Daly: Corey Stoll, the Birds of Satan (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Kristen Stewart. Jon Stewart: Bill O’Reilly (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Neil Young (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Alan Cumming, Casey Wilson, Pantatonix, Joe Perry.