TOP PICKS
1 Rise of the Machines
8 p.m. on (DIS)
A new episode called “Mega Digger” takes viewers to a Canadian destination — Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia — to demonstrate the extraordinary technology of one of the world’s largest diggers, the Komatsu PC8000, which can shovel 27,000 tons of copper ore in less than four days. The episode also uses state-of-the-art CGI technology to reveal how the machine’s inner workings manage this impressive workload.
2 So You Think You Can Dance
9 p.m. on (ATV) (FOX)
A new episode is titled “Top 18 Perform and Elimination,” but there will be only 16 dancers left in the competition by the time the two-hour show ends. Viewers’ votes determine which two depart, and judges Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo and Nigel Lythgoe will get their say as well. The respective performances of street dancers and stage dancers remains interesting, given what the series’ theme is this season. Cat Deeley is the host.
3 Banished
9 p.m. on (CBC)
This compelling new drama series is set in 1788 in the first British penal colony in New South Wales, where convicts live alongside Royal Navy marine guards and their officers: 100 men guarding 1,000 prisoners, and five men for every woman. In the series premiere, the colony rules are tested when prisoner Elizabeth Quinn (MyAnna Buring, “Ripper Street”) is found in the men’s quarters. Orla Brady (“American Odyssey”), Russell Tovey (“Being Human”) and Julian Rhind-Tutt (“Lucy”) also star.
4 The Bachelorette
9 p.m. on (ABC)
There’s been a lot of crying on this show this season, and only some of it has been done by “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe. It’s perfectly reasonable, then, to expect more tears to be shed as she makes her decision between the last two remaining candidates for her heart in this finale of the show’s 11th round. The traditional postmortem, the “After the Final Rose” special, follows immediately. As usual, Chris Harrison is the host of both programs.
5 Mike & Molly
9:30 p.m. on (CBS)
A big professional event for Molly ( Melissa McCarthy) translates into trouble at home in “Cocktails and Calamine.” She’s beyond excited about the party her publisher is staging for her and Peggy (Rondi Reed), but she worries how Mike (Billy Gardell) might fare there. When she doesn’t invite him, bruised feelings are the inevitable result. Edie McClurg (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”) guest stars. Swoosie Kurtz and Katy Mixon also star.