1) “America’s Got Talent” opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Each summer, this has ruled the ratings, while viewing a wide and weird range of talent. At first, the results were mainstream; five of the first six champions were singers, alongside one ventriloquist. Since then, winners have included only two singers, plus two more ventriloquists, a magician, a dancer, a dog act and, last year, spoken-word poet Brandon Leake (shown here). Last year, ratings dropped a bit when COVID forced remote performances; now, however, auditioners are back on the main stage.
2) “New Amsterdam,” 10 p.m., NBC. The previous episode brought us to a turning point – a romantic link between Max and Helen Sharpe, who had just helped save his eyesight. Now, after being bumped by two finales last week, the show returns with both of them distracted: She offers to help her reluctant niece; he makes a tough decision, with his late wife’s parents seeking custody of his daughter. Those stories – plus difficult cases for Reynolds and Iggy – set up next week’s season-finale.
3) “Lego Masters” season-opener, 8 p.m., Fox. There really is an International Lego Day; that’s each Jan. 28, the date when (80-plus years ago) a Danish carpenter applied for his Lego patent. And there really are Lego floats; one first reached the Macy’s parade in 1967. So the opener asks each duo to create a float for a Lego Day Parade. Will Arnett hosts the odd (and colorful) show.
4) “Mike Tyson: The Knockout” conclusion, 8-10 p.m., ABC. Last week’s opener saw Tyson dominate the boxing world, before a startling loss. This conclusion views his rape conviction, his prison time (not quite three years) and his comeback, both as a boxer and as a media personality.
5) “Frontline,” 10 p.m., PBS. As he battled the Syrian dictator, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani became a perpetual enigma. He was an Al Qaeda and ISIS leader, then broke with – and fought – both. Now – backed by Turkey, opposed by Russia – he controls the lone rebel stronghold, Idlib Province, with three million people. In a rare interview, he praises its schools and hospitals; critics point to torture and strict Sharia law. The U.S. calls him a terrorist; a former top diplomat calls him “the least bad option.”