It’s the unusual night on TV where being smart counts.
First the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee (ESPN, 10 a.m., 8 p.m.) has its finals today at National Harbor, four hours today and two hours for the conclusion tonight. Kevin Negandi of “SportsCenter” is host. Six of the last eight winning words still come up as misspelled on Microsoft Word. Last year’s winning words were scherenschnitte and nunatak. The last two years had co-champions.
The quiz show “500 Questions” (ABC, 8 p.m.) returns for five nights with tougher than usual questions — miss three and they’re out. The host is a guy from “Nightline,” Dan Harris.
A one-hour documentary, “Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement” (BET, 9 p.m.) looks at the history and future of the cause. Directed by Laurens Grant, the film is executive produced by actor Jesse Williams of “Grey’s Anatomy,” who also appears in it.
For the annual “Red Nose Day Special” (NBC, 9 p.m.), a number of celebrities including Elton John, Julia Roberts, Bono, Kobe Bryant, Tracy Morgan, Tyler Perry, Margot Robbie, Will Ferrell, Trevor Noah, Ludacris, Jay Leno, Blake Shelton and Jeff Goldblum all perform, participate in skits or otherwise put on red noses. It’s all meant to raise money for child hunger, though it’s not clear how. Craig Ferguson hosts.
The stars keep coming on “Inside Amy Schumer” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.). Tonight’s alone has Harvey Keitel, Jake Gyllenhaal and Selena Gomez.
A secret service agent’s body is discovered by a drunk college student on the eve of a presidential visit on “Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
The final three teams compete on “Strong” (NBC, 8 p.m.). The field is also thinning on “American Grit” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Sarah returns to old habits on “Orphan Black” (BBC, 10 p.m.).
Participants discuss their time incarcerated on “60 Days In” (A&E, 9 p.m.).
A director hires Archer for security on his movie set on “Archer” (FX, 10 p.m.).
CeeLo Green tries Kiss and Russell Peters does the Four Seasons on tonight’s “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike, 10 p.m.).
Racial tension rises on “Real World” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
Eddie Huang drops into Istanbul on a new “Huang’s World” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
The month-long Thursday night survey of American International Pictures concludes with “The Abominable Dr. Phibes” (8 p.m.), “Boxcar Bertha” (10 p.m.), “Sisters” (midnight), “Bloody Mama” (2 a.m.), “Blacula” (3:45 a.m.) and “A Matter of Time” (5:30 a.m.).
The Stanley Cup playoffs have Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) in Game 7.
The NBA playoffs have Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Baseball includes Arizona at Pittsburgh (MLB, 12:30 p.m.) and Colorado at Boston (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Susan Lucci, Alisan Porter, Rebecca Katz, Andy Cohen. The View: Sarah Silverman, Susan Silverman. The Talk: Jerrod Carmichael, Big Boy. Ellen DeGeneres: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kevin Nealon. Wendy Williams: Alexandra Shipp, Eddie Jackson. The Real: Janet Hubert (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Dave Coulier (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Lizzy Caplan, Neil Young, Mike Epps. Jimmy Kimmel: Bernie Sanders, Kyle Handler, Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo. Jimmy Fallon: Penelope Cruz, Jeff Daniels, Dierks Bentley, Musiq Soulchild. Seth Meyers: Sarah Silverman, david Alan Grier, Sheer Mag, Tim Alexander. James Corden: Rebel Wilson, David Schwimmer, Twenty88. Carson Daly: Akbar Gbajabiamila, Matt Iseman, Summer Cannibals, Daniels. Tavis Smiley: Stephon Alexander, Dee Dee Alexander, Irvin Mayfield. Trevor Noah: T.I. Larry Wilmore: LeVar Burton. Conan O’Brien: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Natasha Leggero.