Stars assemble for cancer mega-benefit

Networks cast aside competition for an hour to co-broadcast the annual special “Stand Up to Cancer ‘12” (7 p.m., ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, HBO, ION, LMN, Showtime, Starz, TBS, VH1). Look for speeches, anecdotes and pleas for contributions and action from celebrity presenters, including show producer Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Seth Rogen.

Musical guests include Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Coldplay (via remote from Sweden). Look for familiar faces and boldfaced names to staff a donation phone bank. The “Stand Up” charity promises that 100 percent of all public donations will go directly to cancer research.

With the NFL season about to begin in earnest, “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” (8 p.m., CMT) enters its seventh season.

The professor seeks out those who have criticized his “Horror School” telecasts in order to inflict terrible and ironic fates upon them on this week’s “Professor Ghoul’s Horror School: Theatre of Blood” (10 p.m., WKNO-TV Channel 10), the 1973 movie starring Vincent Price.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

A photo shoot proves too daring for one hopeful on “America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m., WLMTTV Channel 30).

An ensemble cast, including Kevin Hart, Tom Arnold, Method Man and Snoop Dogg, helps the absurd 2004 comedy “Soul Plane” (7:07 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., Bravo) gain altitude.

Nick adjusts to his mother’s return on “Grimm” (8 p.m., WMCTV Channel 5).

Crew members on a contrived treasure hunt begin bickering on “Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice” (8 p.m., Discovery).

A victim’s obsession with a tough-guy image may have been his undoing on “Bones” (8 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).

Kane purges his political machine on “Boss” (8 p.m., Starz).

Melting ice makes for a perilous trapping expedition on “Yukon Men” (9 p.m., Discovery).

A grandmother has a black widow’s touch on “Deadly Women” (9 p.m., ID, TV-14).

“Lewis Black: In God We Rust” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) presents the “Daily Show” contributor’s caustic take on social and political matters.