Todrick Hall only made the Top 20 of “American Idol” in 2010, but found a different way to stardom by creating his own elaborate music videos on YouTube, covering pop songs and organizing flash mobs. He got the requisite numbers of views to get the attention of MTV, though, and now he’s got his own show that looks at how he makes his weekly videos.
They tried to showcase some of his work briefly at the preshow of Sunday’s VMA Video Music Awards, where you might have caught a glimpse of Todrick’s act, but the whole event was a bad way to showcase just about anything, particularly music. So you won’t likely get it until you tune into “Todrick” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
It’s part of a new Monday lineup that includes the return of “Awkward” (MTV, 9 p.m.) for its fifth season — and five years in high school can get kind of awkward. Also back for its second season is “Faking It” (MTV, 9:30 p.m.) and a retooled version of the “Girl Code” advice/comedy show now called “Girl Code Live” (MTV, 10:30 p.m.).
Lest the VMAs are forgotten though, “Fashion Police” (E, 8 p.m.) returns in time to critique it. Giuliana Rancic, Brad Goreski and Milissa Rivers could spend their entire time on Miley Cyrus’ abominations, but we hope they’ll save time for the lapses of their former cast member Kelly Osbourne.
People are so poor in Cambodian villages, some parents think they’re doing a good thing by selling their kids into slavery and prostitution. They’re aided by recruiters who are nothing more than human trafficking fronts. And all of them get to speak in Guillaume Suon’s film “The Storm Makers.” The chilling documentary makes its debut tonight on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Whales and wild life is so predictable in California’s Monterey Bay this time of year, they can plan three nights of live broadcasting from there and expect something to see. The experiment begins tonight with “Big Blue Live” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) and continues at the same time Tuesday and Wednesday.
President Obama is going to Alaska in part to be on “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (NBC, 10 p.m.), which tonight can only muster up Michael B. Jordan. With a B.
Justin and Amber learn to salsa on “Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC, 8 p.m.). They’ll never make it to “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.), where the top six contestants perform.
Stage one of the finals of “American Ninja Warrior” (NBC, 8 p.m.) begins in Las Vegas.
Hope there’s some major resolution to the summer-long mystery series “The Whispers” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Linda Gray guest stars as the significant mother of the “Significant Mother” (The CW, 9:30 p.m.).
Bill Nye the Science tries his hand at “Whose Line Is It Anyway” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ Summer Under the Stars comes to an end today with Shelley Winters all day, in “Harper” (6 a.m.), “The Chapman Report” (8:15 a.m.), “Flap” (10:30 a.m.), “Executive Suite” (12:30 p.m.), “He Ran All the Way” (2:30 p.m.), “I Died A Thousand Times” (4 p.m.), “Odds Against Tomorrow” (6 p.m.), “A Patch of Blue” (8 p.m.), “Lolita” (10 p.m.), “The Poseidon Adventure” (12:45 a.m.), “My Man and I” (3 a.m.), and “Tennessee Champ” (4:45 a.m.). Plus there’s a replay of her 1975 appearance on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” (7:45 p.m.).
Surprised with all the controversy that “Fat Albert” (Starz, 9 p.m.) is still being programmed.
First round play begins in The U.S. Open (ESPN, 1 p.m.; ESPN2, 6 p.m.).
Baseball includes Yankees at Red Sox (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Giants at Dodgers (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Taylor Swift, Jon Hamm. The View: Tyrese, Paul Mason (rerun). The Talk: Cedric the Entertainer, Niecy Nash, Tyler Oakley, Aida Mollenkamp (Rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Nicole Kidman (rerun). Wendy Williams: Randy Jackson, The Whispers (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Lil Jon, Tom Bergeron (rerun). Queen Latifah: Tim Conway, Faith Evans, Michaela Conlin (rerun).
Late Talk
Jimmy Fallon: Gov. Chris Christie, Victoria Justice, Gary Clark Jr. Jimmy Kimmel: Roseanne Barr, Demi Lovato. Seth Meyers: Anderson Cooper, Greta Gerwig, Tig Notaro (rerun). James Corden: Melora Hardin, Jack Antonoff, Amy Landecker (rerun). Carson Daly: Jamie Chung, J. Mascis, Chris Garcia (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Kataalyst Alcindor, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Conan O’Brien: Kristen Stewart, Tig Notaro, Jon Dore, Brian Wilson (rerun).