Its network can only dream that its latest musical “Teen Beach Movie” (Disney Channel, 8 p.m.) has a fraction of success that its “High School Musical” did a decade ago.
But set on the shore, with another Disney star at its helm, Ross Lynch of “Austin & Ally” and someone from ABC Family (Maia Mitchell of “The Fosters”) and a set of songs meant to recall the old Annette and Frankie beach movies of the 60s, so much so that the modern leads time travel there.
It’s one of very few examples of original works on tonight.
Except for the two newmagazines “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.) and “Dateline” (NBC, 9 p.m.), everything on network TV is a rerun, even the luke warm “Camp” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
The April 2012 “Inside the Actors Studio” (Bravo, 7 p.m.) session of Cory Monteith is replayed in light of his death last weekend.
The Oglala Lakota tribe is featured in the documentary “Bridge the Gap to Pine Ridge” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Earlier, the work of a theatrical tradition in Ontario gets coverage on “The Shaw Festival: Behind the Curtain” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The first season of “Treehouse Masters” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) has its finale. Timber!
The new “Miss U Much” (VH1, 10 p.m.), as the Janet Jackson-inspired title might indicate, tracks down favorites from the past, including “Saved by the Bell” cast member Lark Voorhies and 98 Degrees singer Jeff Timmons. Others to be tracked down by host Catherine Reitman: Dave Coulier, Coolio, Romeo and Justin Guarini.
Scheduled guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) include Dan Savage, Connie Mack, Grover Norquist, Rla Jebreal and John Hargrove.
Too early to make “Smash” (Ovation, 8 p.m.) a cult favorite? NBC’s canceled show is revived on the cable arts network, accompanying the first two episodes with an on-air analysis on a show called “Broadway Bash” (Ovation, 10 p.m.).
The month-long, 21 film, Friday night salute to Francois Traffaut on Turner Classic Movies continues with “The Soft Skin” (8 p.m.), “Jules and Jim” (10 p.m.), “The Woman Next Door” (2:30 a.m.) and “The Man Who Loved Women” (4:30 a.m.).
Baseball is finally back. Among all the regional games, Yankees at Red Sox (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Ryan Reynolds, Ross Lynch. The View: Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Corbett. The Talk: Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Corbett. The Talk: Jeffrey Tambor, Patrick J. Adams, Rocco DiSpirito, Carnie Wilson. Ellen DeGeneres: Emma Stone, Common (rerun). Wendy Williams: Star Jones, cast of “Motown: The Musical”
Late Talk
David Letterman: Johnny Depp, Marc Maron, Dawes (rerun). Jay Leno: Howie Mandel, Marisa Miller, Sara Bareilles. Jimmy Kimmel: Michael C. Hall, Miranda Cosgrove, ZZ Ward (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Jeff Bridges, Stacy Keibler, Jesse and the Rippers. Craig Ferguson: Jane Lynch, Goo Goo Dolls. Carson Daly: Kevin Bacon, Ron Finley, Superhumanoids (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Jo-Ann Wallace, Rafe Esquith. Chelsea Handler: Ciara, dan Levy, Heather McDonald, Kurt Branohler (rerun).