I’m thinking it was “Hot Tub Time Machine” that helped rekindle the inordinate interest in time travel in film and TV, covered so long ago on “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “Back to the Future” and “It’s About Time.” All of a sudden there was “Timeless” and the time-travel heavy “D.C. Legends of Tomorrow.”
Of course, it goes further back than all that, to H.G. Wells, who pops up tonight in one of two (!) new series about time travel, “Time After Time” (ABC, 9 p.m.)
Although it has a serious intent, the new show by Kevin Williamson (“Dawson’s Creek,” “Vampire Diaries”) is fairly ridiculous in its way, when Wells (Freddie Stroma) hurtles from the the 19th century to 2017 in order o chase after his friend, who turns out to be Jack the Ripper (Josh Bowman).That the time machine lands in the museum means that Genesis Perez stars as brainy curator who gets caught up in all. That’s not enough to save the absurdity in the two hour plot, in which the Ripper adapts so well to the modern century he doesn’t ask about the little soaps in his hotel or the rules of the night club.
“Making History” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.), at least, doesn’t try to take time travel seriously, as slacker funnyman Adam Pally keeps going back to the Revolutionary War era in a big duffle bag (whose properties are never quite explained), because he has a girlfriend there who thinks he’s smart — Leighton Meester, whose good cheer almost makes it watchable. Yessir Lester plays the nerdy history professor who is reluctantly brought along. Historical figures are rendered like such clods, Bill & Ted would be proud.
On the new scripted series “The Arrangement” (E!, 10 p.m.) Christine Evangelista plays a hapless young actress who is plucked out of a calling call audition to marry the biggest star of the day (Josh Henderson) — a role that will earn her $10 million. There is a looming cult behind the scenes, though, led by a mysterious Michael Vartan. But it’s no mystery what celebrity coupling inspired the show (and what cult they based it on). And if Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Scientology sue, well, all the more publicity. Evangelista is appealing enough to make this interesting, but for how long?
A different Katy — Katy Perry — performs, along with Ed Sheehan, Chris Martin, The Chainsmokers, Shawn Mendes, Big Sean and Bruno Mars, among others, at the “iHeartRadio Music Awards” (TNT, TBS, 8 p.m.), hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Steve Harvey returns with small fry talent on the second season premiere of “Little Big Shots” (NBC, 8 p.m.). Among the visitors is a 5-year-oold obsessed with the Gettysburg Address, a basketball whiz, a singer and a worship leader.
The bad cop drama “Shades of Blue” (NBC, 10 p.m.) is back, and even its stars Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta seem surprised.
On “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.), somebody dies at Ray’s coffee shop.
T.J. Miller makes a scene at Pete’s ex-wife’s yard sale on “Crashing” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.).
After just six episodes, the second season of “Mercy Street” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) has its finale, as the Pinkerton’s inquiry heats up.
On the 90 minute first season finale of “Victoria” (PBS, 9 p.m.), the queen is quite pregnant.
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) is a good way to end your weekend.
A fourth season starts on “Big Time RV” (Travel, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) which follows three bicyclists in Colorado, a politician, and two people on a European holiday.
The new “Chicago Justice” (NBC, 9 p.m.) settles into its regular time slot and Richard Brooks reprises his “Law & Order” role as Paul Robinette.
The winner gets $25,000 on the 10th season finale of “Worst Cooks in America” (Food, 9 p.m.).
Paranoia is piling up on “Homeland” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
“Naked and Afraid” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) returns for a seventh season.
The genealogical “Who Do You Think You Are?” (TLC, 10 p.m.) returns for its ninth season, with producer Lisa Kurrow looking into the European roots of her former “Friends” co-star Courteney Cox.
Where “The Good Fight” should be, “Madam Secretary” (CBS, 9 p.m.) returns, with Elizabeth trying to save the marriage of the Colombian president’s son.
“The Last Man on Earth” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) returns, figuring out how a deadly virus began.
“Talking Dead” (AMC, 10 p.m.) has outlived its host show, “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.). At the end of the season next month, it will be a year-round show called “Talking with Chris Hardwick.”
“Elementary” (CBS, 10 p.m.) begins a two part episode.
A Disney on Ice trip is organized to counter a birthday party on “Big Little Lies” (HBO, 9 p.m.). Axe considers buying an NFL franchise on “Billions” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
On “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.), Bart and Lisa find trauma at camp.
Carson Kressley gets a reading from the “Long Island Medium” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Nassau is delivered on “Black Sails” (Starz, 9 p.m.).
Suspects are found in both cases on “The Missing” (Starz, 8 p.m.).
Sheree tries to lay it out in the open on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
The “First Family of Hip Hop” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) rides ATVs.
The elderly are scammed on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
A carnival raises money on “When Calls the Heart” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.).
Identical twin sisters look for their biological mother on “Long Lost Family” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
On Turner Classic Movies, a pair of movies with twists, “Deathtrap” (8 p.m.) and “The Last of Shiela” (10:15 p.m.) are followed by a couple of Jack Holt silents “Ducks and Drakes” (12:30 a.m.) and “The Smart Set” (1:30 a.m.) as well as two Danish imports, “Babette’s Feast” (3 a.m.) and “Gertrud” (5 a.m.).
NBA action includes Golden State at New York (ABC, 3:30 p.m.), Utah at Sacramento (NBA, 6 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Dallas (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Cincinnati at Connecticut (CBS, noon), Boston University at Lehigh (CBS Sports, noon), Campbell vs. Winthrop (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the Big South championship, Temple at South Florida (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Illinois State vs. Wichita State (CBS, 2 p.m.) in the Missouri Valley championship, Navy at Bucknell (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), North Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast (ESPN, 3 p.m.) in the Atlantic Sun championship, East Carolina at Houston (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.), Tulsa at Tulane (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) and Purdue at Northwestern (CBS, 4:30 p.m.).
Women’s games include Dayton vs. Duquesne (ESPNU, noon) for the Atlantic 10 championship, Duke vs. Notre Dame (ESPN2, 1 p.m.) in the ACC championship, Kansas State vs. Baylor (Fox Sports 1, 2:30 p.m.), South Carolina vs. Mississippi State (ESPN2, 3 p.m.) in the SEC championship, Connecticut vs. Central Florida (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), Texas vs. Oklahoma (Fox Sports 1, 5 p.m.), Purdue vs. Maryland (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) in the Big Ten championship and and Oregon State vs. Stanford (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) in the Pacific 12 championship.
Hockey has Buffalo at Pittsburgh (NHL, 5 p.m.) and St. Louis at Colorado (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Spring baseball has St. Louis vs. Mets (MLB, 1 p.m.).
In golf, final rounds are played in the WGC-Mexico Championship (Golf, noon; NBC, 2 p.m.).
ABC: White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former Obama press secretary Josh Earnest, Sen. Al Franken, former Bush attorney general Michael Mukasey. CBS: Sens. Mark Warner and Susan Collins, former CIA director Leon Panetta. NBC: Sens. Suck Schumer and Marco Rubio, former director of national intelligence James Clapper. CNN: Rubio, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Fox News: Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Cotton, Gov. Eric Greitens.