1) “NCIS: Origins” debut, 9-11 p.m. today, CBS. In 1991, Leroy Gibbs starts work at what will become NCIS. He’s a stoic guy whose wife and daughter were killed, but his boss Mike Franks (shown here) sees potential. The first case – a good one — is dark and intense; so is Gibbs (Austin Stowell), but he’s surrounded by high-energy colleagues. Mark Harmon narrates as older Gibbs.
2) “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” debut, 8 p.m. Thursday, CBS. At first, Georgie seemed like a rascal on “Young Sheldon.” At 17, he lied about his age and impregnated Mandy, then 28. But there’s more to him – a sweetness, optimism and salesman’s charm. Now the couple and baby live with her parents. The brings lots of laughs, plus surprising bits of warmth.
3) “Happy’s Place” debut, 8 p.m., Friday, NBC. After inheriting her dad’s bar, Bobbie (Reba McEntire) learns a half-sister she’s never met owns half of it. The jokes are OK, McEntire handles them deftly and minor characters help. The sister is underwritten, a friend is overwritten … but this adequate show is way above the awful “Lopez vs. Lopez” that follows.
4) “Moonflower Murders” finale, 9 p.m. Sunday, PBS. This brilliant, six-part tale offers two mysteries – one from now, the other from a book (set in the ‘40s) based on that. Last week, we saw how the book solved one of its two murders; now we see the other … and then that real case. Susan manages to solve it, while imagining chats with the book’s detective.
5) “BET Hip Hop Awards,” 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, BET and VH1. Fat Joe hosts and Megan Thee Stallion and Kendrick Lamar lead the nominations, with 12 and 11. They’re up for artist of the year, alongside Nicki Minaj, Drake, Cardi B, Future, 21 Savage and GloRilla, who performs. So do 2 Chainz, Yung Miami, Juicy J,Soulja Boy, Trina, E-40, Big Boogie and more.
6) “Shrinking” season-opener, Wednesday, Apple TV+. Jimmy (Jason Segal) is a widower who’s floundering at home and as a therapist. One client is in prison, another is struggling and his boss (Harrison Ford) is frustrated. Also, a neighbor is telling his colleague to stop sleeping with him. It’s a smart story that manages to mix humor with moments of deep pain.
7) “Scamanda” debut, 10:02 p.m. Wednesday, ABC. For seven-plus years, social media had accounts of Amanda Riley, an attractive young wife and mom, struggling with cancer. Officials say she drew 349 donations, totaling $105,000 … and it was a lie. She pled guilty and was sentenced to five years. Here, starting a week later than planned, is a documentary series.
8) “Elsbeth” season-opener, 10 p.m. Thursday, CBS. Elsbeth Tascioni is one of TV’s great characters, hiding a sharp mind under a surface of bright colors and cheery comments. But this opener gives much of its attention to another great character: Nathan Lane plays an opera lover who would kill for a better view of the show. It’s a fun hour, following a sharp “Matlock” at 9..
9) “The Chosen” season-finale, 8-10 p.m. Sunday, CW. The fourth of seven seasons ends with people expecting Jesus to arrive regally. Instead, he humbly rides a donkey. Also on CW: the debut of “The Wranglers,” at 9 p.m. today (Oct. 14). It’s a reality show that follows telegenic 20-somethings on a dude ranch, groping for romance and for the head-wrangler job.
10) More season-openers. ABC has “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” and “Shark Tank,” at 8 p.m. Monday and Friday. Netflix has “The Lincoln Lawyer” on Thursday. CBS has a bunch: “NCIS” (8 p.m. today); FBI shows (Tuesday); “Ghosts” (8:30 Thursday); “SWAT” and “Fire Country,” plus “Blue Bloods” returning (Friday); and “The Equalizer” (9:30 p.m. Sunday).