TV Best Bets

Monday, Aug. 21: ‘NOVA’: ‘Eclipse Over America’ on PBS

Courtesy of Miroslav Druckmuller

ALSO SEE:

TCM’s Summer Under the Stars Tribute Schedule

NFL Preseason 2017 TV Schedule

All Times Eastern.

Monday, Aug. 21

NOVA: “Eclipse Over America”
PBS, 9pm
Join scientists and citizens alike as they observe the first total solar eclipse to traverse the U.S. mainland in more than a generation. Discover the storied history of eclipse science and follow current, cutting-edge research into the solar corona.

ALSO SEE: Where to Watch the Great American Eclipse of 2017

“Dirty Dancing” Marathon
Freeform, starting at 11am
In celebration of the dance classic’s 30th anniversary, Freeform will air Dirty Dancing back-to-back, all day long.

NFL Preseason: N.Y. Giants at Cleveland
ESPN, 8pm Live
Week 2 of the NFL preseason wraps up with this primetime matchup on ESPN between the N.Y. Giants and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium.

Preacher: “Dirty Little Secret”
AMC, 9pm
Jesse (Dominic Cooper) connects with an unlikely source and learns more about God’s whereabouts. Tulip (Ruth Negga) can’t forgive Jesse when she finds out he’s been lying to her.

Great American Eclipse
Science Channel, 9pm
As a total solar eclipse spans the continental United States for the first time in 99 years today, Science Channel presents same-day footage of the event in this primetime special. The network will also have live footage of the eclipse online throughout the day.

POV: “Tribal Justice”
PBS, 10pm
Follow two Native-American judges who reach back to traditional concepts of justice in order to reduce incarceration rates, foster greater safety for their communities and create a more positive future for their youth.

Tuesday, Aug. 22

Lynne Koplitz: Hormonal Beast
Netflix
In this standup special, unabashed New Yorker Lynne Koplitz offers a woman’s take on being crazy, the benefits of childlessness and the three things all men really want.

America’s Got Talent: “Live Show 2”
NBC, 8pm Live
Twelve acts perform tonight as judging is turned over to the American viewing audience.

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad
Sony Movie Channel, 8pm
In this 1973 fantasy film, John Phillip Law plays Sinbad, who comes across a mysterious winged creature carrying a golden tablet. Evil magician Koura (Tom Baker) pursues Sinbad and his crew, hoping to recapture the tablet. The film won the first ever Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film.

Forged in Fire: “The Kampilan”
History, 9pm
Four bladesmiths head to a scrapyard to create a blade using only harvested metal and a coal forge. In the final round, with two left standing, the smiths must re-create a fearsome battle weapon: the kampilan.

Hollywood Game Night: “HGN’s Got Talent”
NBC, 10pm
Mel B, Darius Rucker, Sherri Shepherd, David Feherty, Derek Hough and Andy Richter compete in tonight’s episode.

Face Off: Game Face
Syfy, 10pm
New Series!
This spinoff of Syfy’s hit Face Off competition series continues to explore the world of special effects makeup, but in a fast-paced competition that ensures multiple makeup reveals and eliminations throughout each stand-alone episode.

Wednesday, Aug. 23

The Real Housewives of New York City: Reunion Part 2
Bravo, 8pm
In the second dramatic reunion special, new housewife Tinsley Mortimer opens up about her traumatic past relationship with her ex and reveals big news. Carole Radziwill reflects on her political aspirations, and Sonja Morgan discusses her personal love triangle — which elicits shocking accusations from Dorinda Medley. Additionally, Bethenny Frankel reveals information about her personal life and how she plans to move forward.

MasterChef: “In a Pinch/Gordon’s Game of Chicken”
FOX, 8pm
The cooking competition heats up with two all-new episodes. First, the skills test gets “crabby” when the 11 home cooks are given a bag of live crawfish. Then, the second episode features the top 10 home cooks facing off in a chicken-and-potato team challenge.

Vanderpump Rules Jax & Brittany Take Kentucky
Bravo, 9pm
New Series!
The new half-hour series follows notorious Vanderpump Rules’ hilarious himbo (i.e. male bimbo) bartender, Jax Taylor, and his southern sweetheart, Brittany Cartwright, as they venture to her family’s Kentucky farm. City-boy Jax ditches his chunky sweaters for overalls and is a fish out of water as he tries to embrace the southern lifestyle.

The Farthest — Voyager in Space
PBS, 9pm
Launched in 1977, NASA’s epic Voyager missions revolutionized our understanding of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and their spectacular moons and rings. In 2012, Voyager 1 left our solar system and ushered humanity into the interstellar age.

Suits: “Full Disclosure”
USA Network, 9pm
Harvey (Gabriel Macht) learns the scope of Alex’s (Dulé Hill) involvement in the prison case, while Mike (Patrick J. Adams) races to keep it alive. Lipschitz (Ray Proscia) forces Louis (Rick Hoffman) out of his comfort zone. Donna (Sarah Rafferty) struggles with her work/life balance.

Snowfall: “Baby Teeth”
FX, 10pm
In the new episode “Baby Teeth,” Franklin’s (Damson Idris) business ramps up, causing a rift in his inexperienced crew. Meanwhile, Teddy (Carter Hudson) pulls out all the stops to protect Alejandro (Juan Javier Cárdenas).

Blood Drive: “Episode XI: Rise of the Primo”
Syfy, 10pm
Arthur (Alan Ritchson) resists bloodlust, and Grace (Christina Ochoa) confronts a shocking revelation in a deadly battle dome fight.

The Sinner: “Part IV”
USA Network, 10pm
With Ambrose’s (Bill Pullman) help, Cora (Jessica Biel) struggles to recover missing memories, which lead Ambrose to a new suspect.

Thursday, Aug. 24

“Man vs. Wild” Marathon
BBC America, beginning at 12pm
Watch Bear Grylls tackle some of the most extreme wilderness challenges and eat anything he can find as BBC America airs a marathon of Man vs. Wild episodes.

Boy Band: “Top 5 Revealed!”
ABC, 8pm
Season Finale!
The final eight contestants learn their fate as America’s choices for the five boy band members are revealed, earning them a recording contract with Hollywood Records. The newly formed band performs its new single “Eyes Closed.”

Battle of the Network Stars: “ABC Stars vs. Variety”
ABC, 9pm
Past ABC and current stars Ted Lange, Troy Gentile, Jill Whelan, Denise Richards and Joely Fisher take on Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Adrienne Houghton, Cameron Mathison and Kelly Osbourne in the newest outing of the classic celebrity-competition favorite.

First in Human
Discovery Channel, 9pm
Series Finale!
All four patients meet with their doctors one last time to learn whether their experimental treatments were successful, and what the future holds for them.

Zoo: “The Black Forest”
CBS, 10pm
In the new episode “The Black Forest,” Mitch’s (Billy Burke) alter ego, Mr. Duncan, attacks the team’s plane, then goes on the run.

Ice Road Truckers
History, 10pm
Season Premiere!
After two short driving seasons, the drivers are ready for what is forecast to be a cold and busy winter.

Queen of the South: “Todas las Horas Hieren”
USA Network, 10pm
Determined to break away from Camila (Veronica Falcón) for good, Teresa (Alice Braga) forges new, uneasy alliances — and, for the first time, she brings the fight to Camila’s doorstep.

The Guest Book: “Story Five”
TBS, 10:30pm
Hopeful medical researcher Laurie (Jenna Fischer) visits the cabin with her Alzheimer’s patient Edgar (Orson Bean) in an attempt to re-create his past life and help him recapture some of his memories.

Friday, Aug. 25

The Tick
Amazon
New Series!
Ben Edlund, who created the comedic comic book superhero The Tick in 1986, also created and executive produces this new live-action comedy series featuring the blue-suited title character, played by Peter Serafinowicz.

Death Note
Netflix
Original Film!
Based on a famous Japanese manga, this original film follows a high-school student who comes across a supernatural notebook, realizing it holds a great power: If the book’s owner inscribes someone’s name into it while picturing their face, he or she will die. Adam Wingard (Blair Witch) directed the film.

Disjointed
Netflix
New Series!
Kathy Bates headlines this comedy series from Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) and former Daily Show head writer David Javerbaum. Bates plays Ruth, a lifelong advocate for marijuana legalization, who finally lives her dream as the owner of a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary. Joining her are her entrepreneurial 20-something son, a very troubled security guard and three “budtenders.”

NFL Preseason: Kansas City at Seattle
CBS, 8pm Live
This Week 3 NFL preseason matchup has the Kansas City Chiefs visiting CenturyLink Field to face the Seattle Seahawks.

Heston’s Fantastical Food
Cooking Channel, 8pm
New Series!
From making the world’s largest boiled egg to re-creating the magic of Willy Wonka’s edible world, renowned chef Heston Blumenthal makes edibles — and food TV — like you’ve never seen before.

Great Performances at the Met: “La Traviata”
PBS, 9pm
Hear Sonya Yoncheva sing the tragic courtesan Violetta in Verdi’s classic, with Michael Fabiano as her ardent lover Alfredo and Thomas Hampson as his disapproving father Germont, in a revival of Willy Decker’s staging conducted by Nicola Luisotti.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Mayweather vs. McGregor: Prelims
FOX, 7pm Live
Before the highly anticipated 12-round super welterweight matchup between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor, available only on pay-per-view, catch the exciting preliminary boxing bouts of the event’s undercard.

NFL Preseason: L.A. Chargers at L.A. Rams
CBS, 8pm Live
The L.A. Chargers (formerly the San Diego Chargers) take on the L.A. Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a Week 3 preseason matchup.

The Essentials: “White Heat”

TCM, 8pm
William Friedkin’s choice for this week’s The Essentials is the classic crime-heist White Heat. It is one of the last of Warner Bros.’ gritty crime films and is an entertaining and hypnotic movie of a flamboyant, mother-dominated, psychotic killer. It was also 50-year-old Jimmy Cagney’s return to his popular, tough-guy gangster image. He even had his hand in molding the part he played, in suggesting to the writers to pattern the character of Cody Jarrett and his mother after the legendary outlaws Ma Barker and her boys and to make Cody psychotic. The movie’s infamous line “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” was voted as the No. 18 movie quote (out of 100) by the American Film Institute.

Sun, Sand & Romance
Hallmark Channel, 9pm
Original Film!
Tricia Helfer stars as Kate, a woman whose romantic getaway turns into anything but relaxing when her boyfriend shifts his focus from pleasure to business in search of his next deal. Seemingly abandoned, Kate discovers that an old friend from her camp counselor days is the resort’s activities director (Helfer’s former Battlestar Galactica castmate Paul Campbell), who happily leads her on tropical adventures. Helfer shares, “It’s about finding your passion again and listening to your true self.” Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson also appears in the film.

College Football: Stanford vs. Rice
ESPN, 10pm Live
The Stanford Cardinal and Rice Owls help kick off the 2017 college football season in this matchup from Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia.