Syndicated, 3:00 p.m. ET
It’s a big week for politicians running for, or already in, higher office – at least in terms of talk-show appearances, that is. Jeb Bush showed up on the premiere installment of Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Colbert tonight. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Hillary Clinton visits Ellen – and, between segments, learns the Whip/Nae Nae dance from Ellen and DJ Stephen “Twitch” Boss. Apparently, the Whip/Nae Nae dance is the boss and groovy thing among all young hep cats… or so I’m told. Check local listings.
ESPN, 7:00 p.m. ET
The women’s semifinals are played tonight in Queens, weather permitting (the day started off looking somewhat ominous). The big ticket, of course, is No. 1 player Serena Williams, fresh from defeating her elder sister to make the semis, facing Roberta Vinci, ranked No. 43. Expect much more screaming and passion from Williams in this match, whatever happens. In the second contest of the night, No. 2 seed Simona Halep battles No. 26 seed Flavia Pennetta – both of whom have beaten very formidable opponents to get this far.
NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET
For the opening game of the 2015 NFL season, NBC gets to present its Sunday Night Football franchise three days early, with a special Thursday game (before CBS takes over the time slot and coverage duties next week) featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the New England Patriots. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady initially was suspended from this game, and others to start the season, for his alleged role in what has become known as Deflategate – but after a judge’s reversal, Brady is free to take the field tonight, and surely is all pumped up to do so. Pumped up, but not overinflated…
Epix, 10:00 p.m. ET
“That’s right, young people,” Craig Ferguson bellows in one of many entertaining rants in this new comedy concert special, filmed earlier this year in New York. “I called you stupid! Tell me how offended you are on Instagram!” Freed from his Late Late Show constraints, Ferguson is a little more raw and naughty, and even freer to go off topic, than he was on his decade-long CBS talk show. “What did you expect?” he asks the crowd whenever he gets “ooohed” for walking, or crossing, the “safe” comedy line. Good question. And though his hanging-with-Mick Jagger stories are hilarious, Ferguson made me laugh the hardest with his most unexpected tossaway asides – like an unexplained “One of us” reference to the Tod Browning cult thriller, Freaks. If you find that sort of thing funny, as do I, then Craig Ferguson is one of you.
CBS, 11:35 p.m. ET
Tonight’s scheduled guests on Colbert’s third Late Show are Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, country star Toby Keith – and Vice President Joe Biden, who has the potential to make major news on this CBS talk-show appearance. The potential, but not necessarily the inclination…