1) “Survivor” opener, 8-9:30 p.m., CBS. This is the 45th edition, filled with people who obsess on the show. Indeed, there are three lawyers … and two of them lie about their profession, so they won’t be considered schemers. Returning is Bruce Perreault, who was seriously injured in the previous opener; now there’s another rough challenge (shown here) and another person needing medical attention. It’s a fun start, right up to the closing surprise.
2) “Reservation Dogs” (Hulu) and “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+). Two of TV’s best shows have brilliant episodes. For “Dogs,” alas, it’s the finale, a quietly moving look at four teens in small-town Oklahoma; there are big emotions, brief laughs, imaginary figures and key turning points. For “Show,” there are fierce ethical dilemmas – one for the morning-show producer, two for a network executive. It’s an hour filled with hard choices and great dialog.
3) “America’s Got Talent,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. On Tuesday, the final acts performed and viewers voted. There were 11 acts to choose from – three American, two Japanese, others from Canada, France, Italy, Indonesia, South Africa and Tanzania. Their performances will be rerun at 8 p.m.; then – after lots of guest stars – one act will win $1 million.
4) “The Masked Singer,” 8 p.m., Fox. The good news is that the show keeps improving its costumes and, especially, its singers. There used to be plenty of duds to dismiss in the early rounds, but not tonight. The bad news? This seems to require the judges to scream and gasp perpetually. Accustomed to praising sorta-good performances, they now greet each one like the next superstar.
5) ALSO: The second Republican debate will be 9-11 p.m. ET on Fox Business, on a night filled with non-fiction. At 9 p.m., Fox debuts “Snake Oil,” with panelists guessing which pitches are phony. At 9:30 is the opener of CBS’ “Amazing Race,” which (like “Survivor”) expands to 90 minutes this year. And all night are season-openers of ABC games – celebrity editions of “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” at 8 and 9, then “$100,000 Pyramid” at 10.
— By Mike Hughes, TV America