The big HBO concert with Springsteen, Rhianna and Eminem isn’t until Tuesday, but tonight a couple of specials get the jump on the holiday.
On “A Salute to the Troops: In Performance at the White House” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), taped Thursday under a tent on the South Lawn of the Capitol, facing the White House, the President and Mrs. Obama host Mary J. Blige, Common, John Fogerty, Romeo Santos and Willie Nelson among others. And Daughtry plays via satellite from an air base in Japan.
Immediately after, Kid Rock and Gary Sinise are interviewed by Kathy Griffin in “Stars and Stripes Unite: A CNN Heroes Special” (CNN, 10 p.m.) about the work they do for veterans.
A couple of documentaries debut tonight as well. After seeing Alex Holmes’ “Lance Armstrong: Stop at Nothing” (Chowtime, 9 p.m.) covering the huge demise of his career, you may want to shred any remaining Live Strong bracelets in the closet. Online, Leonardo DiCaprio presents “Virunga” (Netflix, streaming) about threats to mountain gorillas by the oil industry, poachers and militias.
“Utopia” is gone and it’s not just because of the Republican wins in the election (no, it’s been canceled). It’s replaced by a replay of this week’s “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m.), whose premiere did so well, the network said it would bring back “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”
Lisa Kudrow, Linda Tirado, Kristen Soltis Anderson, Robert Costa and Sen. Bernie Sanders are scheduled for a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.), which this week failed to flip a district, as it wished.
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) moves to Sicily.
Remaining contestants on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.) go to Korea for a K-pop photo shoot.
“Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m.) goes to a boxing gym.
“Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.) reaches its 100th episode. But has a long time ago to reach the number of episodes of the original series, 279.
“Cristela” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) teaches John about sports.
Turner Classic Movies plays Road Movies on Friday all month, with Bill Hader hosting. It starts with some pretty great ones: “Detour” (8 p.m.), “The Hitch-Hiker” (9:15 p.m.), “Gun Crazy” (10:45 p.m.), “Badlands” (12:30 a.m.), “Hot Rods to Hell” (2:15 a.m.) and “Hell’s Angels on Wheels” (4 a.m.).
NBA action includes Memphis at Oklahoma City (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Cleveland at Denver (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
College football games includes Memphis at Temple (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.) and Utah State at Wyoming (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Bette Midler, Beth Behrs. The View: Lisa Kudrow. The Talk: Scott Caan, Alex O’Loughlin, Elisabeth Rohm, Lilliana Vazquez, Deborra-Lee Furness. Ellen DeGeneres: Matthew McConaughey, Damon Wayans Jr. Wendy Williams: Valerie Vertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick. Meredith Vieira: Martin Short, Ciuliana Rancic. Queen Latifah: Lisa Ling, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Gordon Ramsay.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Amy Schumer, Jeff Caldwell, Theophilus London. Jimmy Fallon: Jay Leno, Lucy Liu, Kevin Delaney, Dave Davies. Jimmy Kimmel: Taylor Swift, Alfred Enoch (rerun). Seth Meyers: Amy Poehler, George R.R. Martin, Captain Sensible (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Jimmy Kimmel, Yvette Nicole Brown. Carson Daly: Conor McGreggor, Shannon and the Clams, Fahim Anwar (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Herbie Hancock.