1) “American Masters: Terrence McNally,” 9-10:30 p.m., PBS. McNally (shown here) has been a theater force for generations. His first show reached Broadway in 1963; his “Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune” revival is there now. In between were about 17 other Broadway shows, winning four Tonys (plus a lifetime one). He’s ranged from farce to pain, from small shows to the epic “Ragtime” musical. Here’s a terrific portrait of a Texan who has lost two lovers to AIDS, but remains optimistic and funny.
2) “Hawaii Five-0,” 9 p.m., CBS. Some gifted stars collide in this rerun, when the family visis Grover (Chi McBride) in Hawaii. Oscar-winner Louis Gossett, 83, and music legend Gladys Knight, 75, play Grover’s parents, with Clifton Powell as his feuding brother.
3) “The Big Stage,” 9 and 9:30 p.m., CW. This fast-paced variety show had a shaky start last week. The co-hosts’ patter was awful; several of the acts – including the first one and the last two – had lots of flash and little else. But there were some good moments in-between, including skilled jugglers – using feet and chin and such – and a “freeform” dancing-dog act. That episode reruns at 9:30 p.m., with a new one at 9. Before that, “Masters of Illusion” reruns its OK opener at 8:30, with a new episode at 8.
4) “Whistleblower,” 8 p.m., CBS. While working at a mortuary, Barry Taul says he overheard his boss and the leaders of the Alabama Organ Center, scheming to exaggerate the mileage involved when bodies were transported. That led to charges of cheating the government out of more than $1 million. A report is scheduled for tonight, plus another one involving doctors and midwives.
5) “20/20,” 9-11 ABC., CW. Dr. Martin MacNeill was a wealthy widower with eight children and step-children. Shortly after his wife Michele was found dead, be brought in Gypsy Willis, calling her the perfect nanny. “She didn’t cook, she didn’t clean, she didn’t take care of the kids,” one of Michele’s daughters says here. She did have sex with him, Willis concedes; “I realize it looks pretty cold.” A probe of his past found faked transcripts and forged checks; eventually, he was convicted of murder.