“Made in America” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), Ron Howard’s film of Jay Z’s two-day Made in American music festival held last year in Philadelphia, makes its TV debut.
Jay Z is featured in the in a musical documentary, of course, but he also co-exectutive produced the film that otherwise features performances by Pearl Jam, Run DMC, Passion Pit, Skrillex and Kanye West, the rapper turned talk show star this week. Among other performers also appearing: Jill Scott, Gary Clark Jr., Janelle Monae and Rita Ora.
MSNBC is known for hiring blowhards for its male hosts — the Rev. Al Sharpton belllows like he doesn’t know there’s a microphone in the room; the return of Ed Schultz. Fitting right in with them will be the multi-Emmy comedy winner Alec Baldwin, who has honed his interview skills at TMC previously or on his WNYC podcast.
He says there may be some comedy in his new “Up Late with Alec Baldwin” (MSNBC, 10 p.m.), but mostly he wants to be the kind of interviewer he wishes he’d get sometimes.
Oddly, the new show plays opposite another talk show of similar tenor, “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.), which has scheduled guests Maya Wiley, Jim Glassman, Chris Matthews, Carol Roth and Oliver Stone.
One of the most welcome media tours in years is that of the brave 16-year-old Pakistani education advocate Malala Yousafzai, who closes her week talking to Diane Sawyer on “20/20” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Another memorable woman from the Middle East was Sharbat Gula, the Pashtun girl with piercing eyes featured on the cover of National Geographic. Her story naturally is included in the special “National Geographic Photographers: The Best Job in the World” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.).
The great Shakespearean series “The Hollow Crown” ends on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m.) with Tom Hiddleston as “Henry V” invading France.
James Franco plays the wizard on the fanciful film from earlier this year “Oz the Great and Powerful” (Starz, 9 p.m.). It comes after a showing of last year’s well-received “Wreck It Ralph” (Starz, 7:15 p.m.).
Yet another series about new 49s, “Gold Fever” (Discovery, 9 p.m.), searching this time in California rather than Alaska.
Jorge Garcia guest stars on a new “Hawaii Five-0” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
A Brian McKnight performance is part of one presentation on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
The head of Donatos Pizza is miffed about a delivery guy who smokes pot on “Undercover Boss” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The challenges are beef Wellington and whipped cream on “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m.), but in separate challenges.
An underwater cat walk is one of the weird things that happens on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.) in Bali.
The National League Championship begins with Dodgers at Cardinals (TBS, 8:30 p.m.).
College football includes Temple and Cincinnati (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) and here’s some college hockey: Western Michigan at Notre Dame (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
The Friday night horror film continues with “Horror of Dracula” (8 p.m.), “Isle of the Dead” (9:30 p.m.), “Dead of Night” (11 p.m.), “The Haunting” (1 a.m.), “The House of Seven Corpses” (3 a.m.) and “Horror Castle” (4:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Donnie Wahlberg, Elizabeth Olsen. The View: Sandra Bullock. The Talk: Jason Priestley, Jerry Weintraub. Ellen DeGeneres: Miley Cyrus. Wendy Williams: Siggy Flicker, Don Lemon, Jane Velez-Mitchell.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Michael Strahan, Simon Amstell, Cage the Elephant. Jay Leno: Rosie Perez, Tenacious D. Jimmy Kimmel: Will Arnett, Clark Gregg, Bonnie Raitt (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Keanu Reeves, Benedict Cumberbatch, My Morning Jacket. Craig Ferguson: Rashida Jones, Brian McKim. Carson Daly: Amy Schumer, David Peterson, Gold Fields (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Eric Schlosser. Arsenio Hall: Cedric the Entertainer, Nikki Glaser & Sara Schaefer, Kat Graham. Chelsea Handler: Nacho Figueras, Chris Franjola, Cameron Esposito, Gary Valentine.