Seems like the viewing public knows plenty about the life behind the scenes for standup comedy, from “Seinfeld” and “Louie” to “Crashing.”
Now comes one in period costume, from the 70s, almost as if they got a good deal on the wardrobe from “Vinyl.” Produced in part by Jim Carrey (who does not appear) “I’m Dying Up Here” (Showtime, 10 p.m.) stars a bunch of struggling L.A. comics at various levels in their careers. Only a couple of them actually seem fun to watch on stage — Al Madrigal and Erik Griffin. Melissa Leo stands out so much as a tough comedy club owner (obviously based on Mitzi Shore) that she seems like she’s in the wrong series. The stories about the characters played by Clark Duke and Michael Angarano living in a closet seems lifted from “Funny People.” It will be tough to warm to this one.
HBO has a strong streak of memorable series finales, from the “Six Feet Under” fast forward to each character’s death to “The Sopranos” seeming episode interruptus. One to add to that list is tonight’s capper for “The Leftovers” (HBO, 9 p.m.), an episode so well handled and poignant it’s fine for anyone who had dropped out of watching long ago. That it’s titled “The Book of Nora” is a welcome hint it will be good — Carrie Coon, who also happens to be starring this season in “Fargo,” dominates. What won’t make intellectual sense for a series that went well off the rails in season two, will still make a good deal of emotional sense.
That it’s a bit extended means it bumps “Silicon Valley” (HBO, 10:16 p.m.) for an episode in which Richard takes on a patent troll. A “Vice” (HBO, 10:46 p.m.) about the state of Iraq follows, and a new “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO, 11:15 p.m.) itself is a quarter hour late. (And there’s no “Veep” at all; it returns next week).
Ariana Grande’s “One Love Manchester Concert” (Freeform 2 p.m.) will be run live from the city that suffered a suicide bombing attack less than two weeks ago. Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Coldplay, Take That, Little Mix and Marcus Mumford are on the list of performers. A one hour highlights recap is set for ABC after the NBA Finals game.
Unlike parts 3 and 4 of “Twin Peaks: The Return” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), which were available online a week before they aired last week, tonight’s episode 5 hasn’t been seen anywhere yet.
Maybe it’s not the best time to further sully truth and fiction by booking no less than Vladimir Putin as the first guest on “Sunday Night with Megan Kelly” (NBC, 7 p.m.), meant as a competitor for “60 Minutes” (CBS, 7 p.m.).
The third season of “Fear the Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) begins on an island.
A 15th new season starts for “Food Network Star” (Food, 9 p.m.).
Seems like it’s time for Chris Hardwick to host yet another show. He give an overview of the comedy, music and podcast festival from San Francisco on “Comedy Central’s Colossal Clusterfest” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m). He’s also hosting “Talking Dead” (AMC, 11:10 p.m.).
It’s sport vs. nonsport on prime time tonight with game 2 of the NBA Finals of Cleveland at Golden State (ABC, 8 p.m.) opposite the one time “American Ninja Warrior: USA vs. the World” (NBC, 8 p.m.), a title that also reflects global politics after Trump pulled out of the Paris Accord.
“Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown” (CNN, 9 p.m.) is obviously running out of places to visit after tonight’s stop in Antarctica.
Gizelle is shut out of Monique’s lake house party on “The Real Housewives of Potomac” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
Larry overdoes it for Bianca’s birthday on “Invite Only Cabo” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
On “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (E!, 10 p.m.), they don’t like Caitlyn’s book much.
Abigail wants to steal some attention from the “Good Witch” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.).
On the made-for-TV “The Perfect Soulmate” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), a poetry blogger with an abusive husband turns to one of her fans for support. It stars Cassandra Scerbo, Alex Paxton-Beesley and Scott Gibson.
There’s a final weigh-in on “Wicked Tuna” (National Geographic, 9 pm.).
“Extreme Waterparks” (Travel, 9 p.m.) travels to Portugal, Louisville, and at 9:30 p.m., Thailand and Greece.
A couple of films from young stars who won special Oscars for their efforts are on Turner Classic Movies tonight — Peggy Ann Garner in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (8 p.m.) and Shirley Temple in “Bright Eyes” (10:30 p.m.). Then comes a trio of silent comedies staring Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Bert Roach starting with “Down on the Farm” (TCM, midnight). The evening is topped off by two Spanish imports — Pedro Almodovar’s “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and Jose Luis Garcia Berlanga’s “Barrios Altos” (TCM, 4 a.m.).
It’s St. Louis at Cubs (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) on Sunday Night Baseball. Earlier, it’s Yankees at Toronto (MLB, 1 p.m.),
The French Open (Tennis, 5 a.m.; NBC, noon) reaches its round of 16.
In Golf, the Memorial Tournament (Golf, noon; CBS, 2:30 p.m.) plays its final rounds.
ABC: EPA head Scott Pruitt, former Vice President Al Gore, former national security adviser Susan Rice. CBS: Sens. Mark Warner and Susan Collins, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, NATO secretary Jens Stoltenberg. NBC: Pruitt, Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry. CNN: Warner, Gore, Haley. Fox News: Warner, Gore, Haley.