1) Game shows, 9 and 10 p.m., NBC. Facing strong dramas on three networks, NBC really needs to find fun. But “The Voice” has trimmed to Mondays-only, leaving a void. “Weakest Link” takes the 9 p.m. slot, starting with “Days of Our Lives” actors. At 10, “Password” includes an alpaca-lover, an opera singer and a vogue dancer. As usual, Jimmy Fallon and host Keke Palmer manage to find some fun, despite format flaws.
2) “Lopez vs. Lopez” season-opener, 8 and 8:30 p.m., NBC. And here’s the main reason Tuesdays are dismal for NBC. “Night Court” and the clever “Extended Family” have ended their seasons, replaced by this dim comedy. The first episode is loud and clumsy; the second shatters the show’s concept.
3) “The Cleaning Lady,” 8 p.m., Fox. After some fierce, life-and-death episodes, things are more domestic: Thony – a doctor in her native land, a cleaning lady in Las Vegas and a drug-cartel aide to save her son – must convince a judge that she’s a good mom. The result is solidly crafted, in a drama night that has FBI shows on CBS, “Will Trent” and more on ABC and “Alert” at 9 p.m. on Fox.
4) Movies. Two George Clooney movies might seem like opposites, except for one ting – both ripple with idealism: He directed, but didn’t act in, “The Boys in the Boat” (2023, 8 p.m., MGM+), the true story of blue-collar guys trying to beat Hitler’s Germany in rowing at the Olympics in Berlin. And he co-stars in “Tomorrowland” (2015,6:45 p.m., Starz), a visuallv stnning view of an eco-friendly world.
5) Two other stars go beyond acting. Emma Thompson wrote and co-stars in the excellent “Sense and Sensibility” (1995), at 8 p.m. ET on Turner Classic Movies; Bradley Cooper directed and starred with Lady Gaga jin the brilliant “A Star is Born” reboot (2018), at 8 p.m. on HBO. Also, “Shogun” (10 p.m., FX) s a daesperate Toranaga forge a deal with a long-lost family member.
— Mike Hughes, TV America