1) “The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice,” 8-10:03 p.m., Lifetime. For its 400th original movie, Lifetime went to some familiar names. This is written by John Pielmeier, who has had four Broadway plays (including “Agnes of God”) and three Humanitas nominations (winning for TV’s “Choices of the Heart”). Kim Delaney (shown here), an Emmy-winner, plays a mom trying to nudge police into action. It’s a solidly crafted film, with a real-life story that has odd surprises, but no convenient finish.
2) “Mix Up in the Mediterranean,” 9 p.m., Hallmark. Now for the opposite of a dark, real-life story: Jeremy Jordan plays twins, one gay and one straight. When one isn’t available for a contest, the other borrows his identity; mix-ups ensue. Hallmark says this is its first film with a gay leading character.
3) “Murdoch Mysteries” season-opener, 7 p.m.ET, Ovation. Focusing on a diligent police detecitve in 1908 Toronto, this occasionally drops a light episode into its crime tales. This one is lighter than ever – which we should probably expect, when three of the suspects are Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Stan Laurel. The mystery is so-so, but there’s some sight-gag fun, plus lots of Canadian likability.
4) “A Wild Year on Earth,” 8 p.m., BBC America. The fifth chapter of this beautifully filmed, six-part series starts in September. That’s a dry and brutal time in Southern Africa, when the shrinking water hole offers little relief: Lions loom; hippos refuse to allow a fellow hippo to visit. It’s a grim hour, brightened near the end by something we rarely expect – romantic (and/or lustful) whales
5) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Rege-Jean Page, who drew a strong buzz as the romantic lead in Netflix’s “Bridgertona” mini-series, hosts. He’s a British actor who spent much of his childhood in Zimbabwe, his mother’s homeland. The music guest is Bad Bunny, who is probably not bad and definitely not a bunny.