8 years of ‘Shark Tank’; embracing ‘Vice’
“Shark Tank” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) celebrates eight years, 600 entrepreneurs and millions of dollars in deals with a twohour special. First, millennial deal-makers vie to become the business proprietors who put “Tank” over the $100 million threshold. They include inventors of food supplements, a tanning salon owner in search of drone pilots, two elephant-themed garment manufacturers and a visionary who wants to put a new spin on the beach towel.
A “20/20” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) retrospective follows, looking back at the most memorable entrepreneurs and kid entrepreneurs, as well as interviews with the “Sharks,” including Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec and Lori Greiner, who reveal their favorite investments and success stories.
‘VICE’ EXAMINATIONS
The HBO news magazine “Vice” (7:30 p.m., TV-14) returns for its fifth season. The first of 29 episodes takes a look at Bashar al-Assad’s Syria and how the dictator appears to be taking complete control of his country with the help of the Russian military.
“Vice” founder Shane Smith also examines the science behind global warming and the business behind its deniers. He speaks with historians and legal scholars who believe that the energy industry’s pattern of subsidizing climate change denial follows that of the tobacco industry’s efforts to distort the research linking smoking and cancer. Some believe that the fossil fuels industry could eventually face lawsuits and judgments that would dwarf those settled by cigarette makers and marketers.
“Vice News Tonight” airs Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., with a half-hour “Vice” airing every Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
BEASTLY REALITY
Netflix gets into the reality competition game in a big way with “Ultimate Beastmaster” (TV-14), a 10-episode series that begins streaming today. A group of 108 competitors from six countries will submit to a grueling obstacle course. The first nine installments offer a different contest with a “Beastmaster” crowned at the end of each. The final episode offers a contest with only one surviving Beastmaster taking the “Ultimate” title. A second season has already been produced, so Netflix hopes viewers like what they see. Or rather, stream.
THAI ONE ON
Some competitions have higher stakes than others. The documentary “Prison Fighters: 5 Rounds to Freedom” (8:30 p.m., Showtime, TV-14) examines the controversial Thai tradition of allowing convicts to earn release in the ring. The practice has come under considerable criticism for freeing violent criminals, even murderers, who have shown remarkable skills in the Muay Thai fighting tradition.
HOT? REALLY?
Surely you didn’t think we’d seen the last of “Honey Boo Boo.” “Mama June: From Not to Hot” (10 p.m., WE, TV-14) will follow reality star June Shannon through radical weight loss surgery and transformation, accompanied by her usual entourage.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
› Scientists take it on the chin on “Grimm” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› A female astronaut will never blast off on “Rosewood” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› The Wizard’s diplomatic efforts continue on “Emerald City” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› A tech hotshot sparks a viral curse on “Sleepy Hollow” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› A stray bullet claims a woman’s life on “Blue Bloods” (10 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
› A proposed billion-dollar telescope becomes the focus of indigenous Hawaiians trying to reclaim their lands from U.S. control on “Rise” (10 p.m., Viceland).
› The team gets blamed for terrorism on “MacGyver” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› Mike wants to spice up church attendance on “Last Man Standing” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Much ado about Elena’s casket on “The Vampire Diaries” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› Allison awaits fateful news on “Dr. Ken” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Uranium on the loose on “Hawaii Five-0” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› History hinges on Mary’s choice on “Reign” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› “Dateline” (10 p.m., NBC). Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.