Clinton-Trump debate dominates the dial
The big television of the night is the presidential debate ( 9 p.m., CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, PBS, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, CSPAN, CSPAN2, Fox News, MSNBC, Univision). It’s not technically a debate, but it does offer a chance for the candidates to demonstrate if they are presidential. NBC’s Lester Holt moderates from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
As I’ve done in the past when events like the Super Bowl or a presidential debate dominate prime time, I like to look at what other broadcasters are airing: the curious choices of movies and series aimed at counter-programming the big event.
Sometimes, their very titles offer sly editorial content and comic relief.
Here, in no particular order, are the alternatives:
“While You Were Sleeping” ( 9 p. m., CMT, TV- PG), an election became a reality TV show. We can probably expect the debate to be “Fast N’ Loud” ( 8 p. m. and 9 p. m., Discovery, TV- 14). The debate audience may fancy themselves as “American Pickers” (8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., History). Other viewers have clearly seen “Enough” ( 8 p.m., Lifetime).
Talking on “The Howard Stern Show,” candidate Trump once intimated that, had he chosen, he could easily have enjoyed intimate relations with “Princess Diana: Behind Closed Doors” ( 8 p. m., Reelz). Since this is the presidential debate, “It Follows” ( 7: 20 p. m., Showcase) that “War” (8:15 p.m., ShoExtreme) will be discussed and “Cops” ( 8 p. m. through 10: 30 p. m., Spike) honored.
Both candidates will jockey for “Power” ( 8 p. m., Starz, TV- MA). Will Lester Holt be “The Equalizer” ( 9: 30 p. m., Starz)? Will he speak up if either candidate becomes “Footloose” (8 p.m., Pop) with the facts?
As one contender appears to be unusually enamored of a hostile foreign leader, talk of a “Manchurian Candidate” (9 p.m., TMC) is not out of bounds. On the other hand, the other candidate suffers from over-familiarity and of being among “The Usual Suspects” (7 p.m., TMC).
Both hope to leave as front-runners and conclude the evening with an air of “Catch Me If You Can” (10 p.m., This TV).
EXCELLENT AGATHA
Seen last March on Lifetime, the British miniseries adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” begins streaming today on the Acorn service. As I noted at the time, a chilling location complements a wonderful cast, including Charles Dance (“Game of Thrones”), Anna Maxwell Martin (“The Bletchley Circle”), Aidan Turner (“Poldark”), Sam Neill (“Peaky Blinders”) and Miranda Richardson (“Sleepy Hollow”). There are bloody flashbacks galore and the use of cold tracking shots of ominous interiors and architecture quite reminiscent of “The Shining.” Don’t miss it.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
Blind auditions continue on “The Voice” ( 8 p. m., NBC, TV-PG).
Fish finds Hugo Strange on “Gotham” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
“Antiques Roadshow” ( 8 p.m., PBS, repeat) looks at campaign collectibles.
Mordecai, Rigby and the gang return for the eighth season of “Regular Show” (8 p.m., Cartoon Network).
The New Orleans Saints host the Atlanta Falcons in “Monday Night Football” (8:15 p.m., ESPN).
“The Mind of a Murderer” (10 p.m., ID, TV-14) enters a second season with an interview of a prisoner convicted of killing three family members.
Wolowitz confers with the Air Force on “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).