1) “Fire Country” season-opener, 9 p.m., CBS. There have been plenty of crises in this little town, but none like this: In the midst of a festival (shown here), a sudden sinkhole swallows people and cars. The result offers a strong mix of action and drama, while also adding a key character to the show.
2) “Sheriff Country” season-opener, 8 p.m., CBS. Things starts with the sheriff in a rare state of drunken despair. She has much to mourn about, including pressure to join a big-time probe. First, however, there’s a strong story involving a young woman overwhelmed by a criminal web.
3) “Great Musicians of Our Time” opener, 10 p.m., PBS. This series re-packages music documentaries from the 1970s. It’s an odd mix, with personal portraits alongside stiff British narration and long classical-music excerpts. This opener, however, is brightened by the talent and the sheer joy of violin great Itzhak Perlman.
4) Sports. Fox has to keep the night open, for a possible Game 5 in the baseball playoffs, with the Braves and Dodgers at 8 p.m. ET. That leaves a void for college football; CW fills it with a 9 p.m. game between Washington State and Utah State, in the restructured Pac-12 conference.
5) ALSO: At 8 p.m., ABC’s “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” has Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Smith and Lennon Parham. At 9, PBS’ “Austin City Limits” has young pop star Olivia Rodrigo doing a full-set performance of her new album, backed by a 14-woman orchestra. At 10, CBS’ “Boston Blue” opens its season in pursuit of a serial killer.