1) “The Story of Latenight,” 9 p.m. and midnight ET, CNN. It was almost 60 years ago that TV jumped into the giant, late-night void. After launching “Today,” NBC’s Pat Weaver (Sigourney’s dad) started “Tonight” in 1952. He wanted news and sports; Steve Allen (shown here), the host, preferred comedy, music and talk. The result, one person says, was “chaotic” and “joyous.” When Allen went to prime time, NBC stumbled, then discovered Jack Paar and Johnny Carson … which is where this fun opener ends.
2) “Pose” season-opener, 10 and 11:11 p.m., FX; reruns at 12:31 and 1:43 a.m. The third and final season only has seven episodes; here are two of them, combining for a powerful story. In the early 1990s, AIDS has decimated New York’s gay community. Pray Tell (Billy Porter) has lost many of his friends, another is in critical care and his boyfriend has tested positive. Porter – who already has an Emmy and a nomination in the first two seasons – is brilliant, as the vibrant Pray crumbles.
3) “Legends of Tomorrow” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. It’s been 11 months since last season ended. The team defeated the Fates and celebrated … until Sara, the captain, was kidnapped by the Aliens. Now she tries to escape, while Rory and Behrad search for someone to help. Constantine (Matt Ryan, who has played the same role in two “Constantine” series) tries his magic.
4) “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” 9 p.m., NBC. This hour starts wonderfully, with Zoey – who can hear people’s thoughts via pop songs – trying a new psychiatrist. It ends poorly, with the characters’ tendency to overthink themselves into despair. In between are some great music numbers – simple solos from Max (Skylar Astin) and Perry (David St. Louis, who’s done four Broadway shows) and a rousing group numbers, with dancers dresses as bees, Rubik’s cubes, cereal bowls and much more.
5) ALSO: Speaking of vibrant music, the wondrous “Wizard of Oz” (1939) is 7 and 9:15 p.m. ET on TBS. On the non-musical side, the fun “Shazam” (2019) is 8 p.m. on TNT. And “Atlantic Crossing” (9 p.m., PBS) has the fifth of its eight episodes: The friendship between the Norwegian princess and the American president brings both progress (as Norway seeks war help) and suspicion.