1) “1969” debut, 10 p.m., ABC. Last year, TV eyed the 50th anniversary of 1968, the year when heroes were killed and cities were burned. Now ABC starts a six-part look at ’69. It puts a strong focus on the July 20 moon landing, but includes the backdrop of tragedy and transformation – Manson murders, Chappaquiddick, Woodstock (shown here), Vietnam and the Stonewall Inn raid that sparked the drive for gay rights.
2) “Boss,” 8-9:30 p.m., PBS. What was it like to be the only black, female engineer in 1980 Xerox? “You are so unlike everyone else,” Ursula Burns says. “You always have to be on-guard.” (That’s also a theme of “Black-ish,” where Dre thrives at a mostly white business; tonight, 9 p.m. on ABC, he has the kids visit his roots.) Here’s a plodding but thorough view of black businesses, from hair-care millionaire C.J. Walker to media moguls and the Liberian immigrant who revived Walker’s business.
3) “The Bold Ones,” 8 p.m., Freeform. Bright in look and tone, this hour usually focuses on three fortunate women – young, bright and beautiful – at a hip magazine. That continues tonight, including a light look at a couple watching porn. But what makes this hour stand out is a rare focus on a key male question: Is it possible for a positive, assertive guy to not realize sex wasn’t consensual?
4) “Being Mary Jane” finale, 8-10 p.m., BET, rerunning at 11. For four years, this well-acted drama had Gabrielle Union as a TV reporter with a hot career and an uneven romantic life, Now – before Union’s op show (with Jessica Alba) opens next month on Spectrum – it has a farewell movie.
5) “Bless This Mess,” 9:30 p.m., ABC. In last week’s clever debut, two New Yorkers – propelled by the internet and unwarranted confidence – tried to work a Nebraska farm and fix a crumbling house. Tonight, the weather won’t co-operate and a potluck dinner doesn’t go as planned.