As splendid as it is to see the great comic coupling of frequent movie costars and “SCTV” alumni Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, in a weekly new comedy with Chris Elliott, the vehicle is an idea of Levy’s son, the former MTV host Daniel Levy, about a rich family that has to suffer in a poor town. The ham-handed title of the series, “Schitt’s Creek” (Pop, 10 p.m.) is an indication of the level of the writing. Even for a scripted series on the former TV Guide network, you sort of wish them better.
In a new three-week series on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), experts try to take the mystery out of some of the world’s most wondrous buildings, from Petra in Jordan, the Hagia Sophia in Instanbul and Rome’s Colosseum, in part by trying to rebuild parts of them themselves. It’s not so easy for group trying to reproduce the chutes from which wild animals were supposed to have entered the Colloseum in tonight’s episode.
East Coasters Gregory Gourdet, 39, of Queens and Mei Lin, 28, of Dearborn (now of Portland and Los Angeles respectively) battle for the win in the twelfth season finale of “Top Chef” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Cookie is enlisted to help the label’s first star get back on top on a new “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.), and the star is played by Courtney Love. Then a mystery woman emerges from the family’s past. Lets just say: That’s so Raven!
Another big family is planned on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.); and the couple in “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.) just doesn’t want to fight that night.
The duo strive to attend a hot party on “Broad City” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.).
Rayna hits the stage again on “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
It’s the second to last episode ever for “The Mentalist” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC, 8 p.m.) looks into the drag world.
Hollywood Week continues on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
On the third season premiere of “R&B Divas LA” (TV One, 10 p.m.), Michel’le has a gallery open, Lil Mo has a new fiancé and Chante has a healing retreat in the mountains.
The eighth and final season of “Alaska State Troopers” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.) begins.
Late ’40s films that got Oscar attention are on Turner Classic Movies, with “All the King’s Men” (8 p.m.), “Twelve O’Clock High” (10 p.m.), “The Bicycle Thief” (12:15 a.m.), “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (2 a.m.) and “Mighty Joe Young” (4:15 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops include La Salle at Virginia Commonwealth (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Syracuse at Boston College (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Kansas State at West Virginia (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), South Florida at Central Florida (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Villanova at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.), Oregon at Southern California (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), DePaul at St. John’s (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Morehead State at Eastern Kentucky (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Wyoming at San Diego State (CBS Sports, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Miami at Cleveland (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Houston at Clippers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Detroit at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Washington at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Hugh Grant, Terrence Howard. The View: Lucy Liu, Andy Grammer. The Talk: Taraji P. Henson, Lisa Ingrassia, Greg Frey Jr. Ellen DeGeneres: Connie Britton, Kym Douglas, Ricky Martin. Wendy Williams: Magic Johnson, Pamela Edwards-Christiani. Meredith Vieira: Patricia Arquette, Bethany Mota, Christina Perri. Queen Latifah: Chandra Wilson, Molly Sims, Les Twins.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bill Belichick, Elisabeth Moss, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear. Jimmy Fallon: Hugh Grant, Charles Barkley, Kyle Kinane. Jimmy Kimmel: Sam Smith. Seth Meyers: William H. Macy, Kenny Smith, the Districts. Late Late Show: William Shatner, Judy Smith, Wayne Brady. Carson Daly: Taron Egerton, the Acid, Crisis Hotline. Tavis Smiley: Richard Linklater. Jon Stewart: Colin Firth. Conan O’Brien: Anna Kendrick, Gabrielle Union, Lee Ann Womack.