Alaska remains the state of most fascination for reality producers.
The latest to the crowded field follows coming of age stories in the tiny town of Tanana. The first task of “Yukon Men” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
It follows the season premiere of “Bering Sea Gold” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) in which they start drilling under the ice.
One of the best political minds on TV, Jeff Greenfield, is now reporting for PBS, so he anchors this week’s “Need to Know” (PBS, 8:30 p.m., check local listings) from Tampa, site of Monday’s Republican National Convention, anticipating a week when only PBS will be devoting its prime time to its proceedings.
In the fictional world of politics, Kelsey Grammer’s menacing Chicago Mayor Thomas Kane uses personal tragedy to further his political agenda on a new “Boss” (Starz, 9 p.m.).
Anne Deavere Smith is featured for the second week in a row on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), this time performing her one-woman show about the L.A. riots two decades ago, “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.”
Another week, another winner. On “HGTV Urban Oasis 2012” (HGTV, 9 p.m.), somebody wins a tropical-inspired apartment on the Miami waterfront.
“Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p..m.) features scheduled guests Ariana Huffington, Katty Kay, Rep. Jack Kingston, Avik Roy and D.L. Hughley.
Animal Planet strays from its usual fare to present the new series “Lost Treasure Hunters” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) in which Sam Speerstra leads a team of explorers to look for lost diamond mines in India’s Golconda region, Indiana Jones-style. Where do animals come in? Well, there are venomous snakes and crocodiles along the way.
It follows the time slot premiere of “Hell on the Border” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.), which at least follows some animals: “The men and canines keeping our borders safe.” Of the Nogales, Ariz., police department K-9 unit.
If there were an Insect Channel, perhaps it would be Nat Geo Wild, where “Insect Wars” (Nat Geo Wild, 8 p.m.) is followed by “Fire Ants” (Nat Geo Wild, 9 p.m.).
Perhaps you haven’t been watching television’s oddest variant of “Glee,” “Real Life: The Musical” (OWN, 10 p.m.) in which actual people inject musical numbers in their lives. Tonight, a man hopes to ignite his marriage through song. Draw the papers!
“Super Saver Showdown” (OWN, 9 p.m.) in which two groups compete to save the most on two parties, one Irish and another with a classic car theme.
Well aren’t you a little curious about “Celebrity Motor Homes” (HGTV, 8 p.m.)? The sequel to the special looks at the motor coaches of Amy Grant, Vin Diesel and NASCAR driver Casey Mears.
Perhaps the people who are “Chasing UFOs” (National Geographic, 8 p.m.) ought to discover “The Secret History of UFOs” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
Zuri gets a zebra on her “gotcha Day,” celebrating the day she got adopted on “Jessie” (Disney, 8:30 p.m.).
“Phineas and Ferb” (Disney, 9 p.m.) mark a season finale – as much as animated characters can do.
A fourth season starts for “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” (TLC, 9 p.m.), the pride of fussy brides in all of Georgia. It accompanies the new “I Found the Gown” (TLC, 10 p.m.), which at least looks at discount wedding gowns at a Boston shop.
Preseason football today is Bears at Giants (CBS, 8 p.m.).
On “Dateline” (NBC, 10 p.m.), the mother of a murdered girl who fights to have the man convicted for it released after DNA evidence shows he didn’t do it.
Get to know early film star Irene Dunne all day on Turner Classic Movies. In prime time, the titles are “The Awful Truth” (8 p.m.) and “A Guy Named Joe” (9:45 p.m.), followed by “Life with Father” (midnight), “Show Boat” (2:15 a.m.) and “Never a Dull Moment” (4:15 a.m.).
In MLS soccer, it’s Philadelphia vs. Salt Lake (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Sofia Vergara, Gabourey Sidibe, Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, Jacques Torres, Howie Mandel (rerun). The View: Regis Philbin, Elle Zober, Scott Disick (rerun). The Talk: Lisa Kudrow, Phil Koeghan, Casey Noble, LeAnn Rimes (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Kirsten Dunst (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Eli Manning, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Die Anntwoord (rerun). Jay Leno: Howie Mandel, Alejandro Escovedo. Jimmy Kimmel: Jennifer Garner, Paul Scheer, the Fixx (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Bradley Cooper, Ryan Lochte, Antibalas. Craig Ferguson: Chris Hardwick, Cala Gugino (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Brian Castner. Carson Daly: Angie Johnson, Moshe Kasher, Bombay Bicycle Club (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Kevin Jonas, Chris Franjola, Arden Myrin, Ross Mathews.