1) “Shifting Gears,” about 8 p.m., ABC. In last week’s opener (shown here), Matt (Tim Allen), a widower, was startled by the return of his estranged daughter (Kat Dennings) and her two kids. The dialog was intense, but also funny and fair. He had room for Tim-Allen-style rants about modern life; she had sharp reports. Tonight, he fumes about the kids’ school.
2) “Abbott Elementary,” about 8:30, ABC. It’s good to see that “Abbott” is no longer a comedy orphan, stranded between reality shows. Tonight, Janine’s students do badly in a practice test; she considers changing her lesson plans. Also, Jacob tries to nudge a disinterested student and the district sends a young custodian to be trained by Mr. Johnson.
3) Presidential farewell, 8 p.m. ET. Joe Biden has had few TV talks from the Oval Office, but here’s one, five days before he leaves. CBS quickly planned to carry it, nudging shows back a half-hour, with “Poppa’s House” at 10:30 instead of “Elsbeth.” Others are expected to make similar moves.
4) “Becoming Hitchcock – The Legacy of Blackmail,” 8 and 11 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. Moviegoers voted “Blackmail” the best British film of 1929. Most had seen the silent version; some saw the hybrid that airs at 9:15 and 12:15. Director Alfred Hitchcock used some scenes in both, but filmed new ones for the talkie. It’s an intriguing story.
5) More movies. HBO has “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” at 7:10 p.m. Others try fun, secret-agent double-features: “Red” and “Red 2” at 8 and 10:30 p.m. on AMC; the clever “Kingsman” and its overwrought sequel at 8 and 11 on the Paramount Network. FX goes “Star Wars,” with “Return of the Jedi,” “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi” at 6, 9 and midnight.
— Mike Hughes, TV America