The U.K.’s best cop drama, and one of the best to find its way over here, “Luther” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) returns for a third season that hits all at once – a new episode a night for the rest of the week and that’s it.
Idris Elba, who made his name stateside in “The Wire,” has found the role of his life a John Luther, a London detective who is brilliant but prickly, who doesn’t always follow the rules and finds himself attracted to the wrong women.
He runs into a nice woman this time, though there’s barely time for dating when he becomes immersed in a cold case serial killer even while internal affairs is watching his every move. Tonight’s caper wraps up Wednesday, and the final two episodes of the season Thursday and Friday similarly dovetail.
While UK cop dramas have trailed U.S. shows in brutality and impact, “Luther” has caught way up and excels at those jump-out-of-the-screen scary moments. And Massive Attack does the music.
“Law & Order” originator Dick Wolf unveils his latest series, “Cold Justice” (TNT, 10 p.m.), a reality true crime series featuring former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and former CSI Yolanda McClary, who are referred to as a”the real life ‘Rizzoli & Isles'” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
It’s one thing to drop a bunch of pounds as they have been doing all summer on “Extreme Weight Loss” (ABC, 8 p.m.), which has its season finale tonight. But sometimes, losing weight, doesn’t give full satisfaction. It has to come with getting back at the people who teased you when you were fat. Hence, the new series “My Big Fat Revenge” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.) in which the newly slimmed down prank their former bullies, be they bad ex-boyfriends or mothers who were full of put-downs.
Another 12 semi-finalists try to get to the finals on a two hour “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
It’s down to the final four, meanwhile, on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies is presenting the history of film all month on Mondays and Tuesdays, so tonight features some silent classics, “Intolerance” (8 p.m.), “Way Down East” (11:30 p.m.), “Haxan” (2 a.m.) and “The Phantom Carriage” (5:15 a.m.) as well as the documentary “The Story of Film: An Odyssey: 1895-1918 – The World Discovers a New Art Form” (4 a.m.).
A new season starts for the stateside “Top Gear” (History, 9 p.m.), with Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust and Rutledge Wood racing from New York to Los Angeles.
When the granddaughter of Lou Costello gets advice from “Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), all she can say is “Abbott! Abbott!”
Ken Burns overview “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) continues its weeklong replay.
A new season starts for “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), in which people compete for a cash prize and dance advancement at the hands of Abby Lee Miller.
Trumping next week’s return of “Sons of Anarchy” is the reality series about a more sedate motorcycle club, “We’re the Fugawis” (History, 10 p.m.), a group that has never been in history books.
“Heroes of Cosplay” (Syfy, 10 p.m.) has turned out to be a pretty entertaining reality show.
Back for the first time since taking off the summer to make a movie “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) returns with its regular, much-missed host.
Matt LeBlanc guest stars on a new “Web Therapy” (Showtime, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Demi Lovato, Cedric the Entertainer, Jennifer Nettles. The View: Cee-Lo Green, Goodie Mob, Lake Bell (rerun). The Talk: Tyra Banks, Lindy DeKoven, Jeff Lewis (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Will Smith, Jaden Smith (rerun). Wendy Williams: Taraji P. Henson, Bobbie Thomas (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jake Gyllenhaal, Julie Chen, the Dodos. Jay Leno: Bill Maher, Aisha Tyler. Jimmy Kimmel: Vin Diesel, Zachary Maxwell, John Legend. Jimmy Fallon: Michael Strahan, Demi Lovato, Neko Case. Craig Ferguson: Jay Leno, Elettra Wiedemann. Carson Daly: Natalie Zea, Brandon Cronenberg, Niki & the Dove (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Richard Haass, Toni Collette. Colbert Report: Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Conan O’Brien: Jason Biggs, Alison Pill, Rory Scovel. Chelsea Handler: Diablo Cody, Ben Gleib, Claire Titelman, Kurt Braunohler.