‘The Blacklist’ grows; ‘Sun Records’ on CMT

Not to be confused with “The Blacklist,” the new series “The Blacklist: Redemption” (8 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5) has been touted as a spinoff that’s not quite a spinoff. Got that?

“Redemption” will follow a group of mercenaries who had been on Red’s (James Spader) list. As the title implies, they are now out to prove their mettle as good guys after a lifetime of bad behavior. It’s not clear if Red is the Santa Claus figure who gets to determine who is naughty or nice. But expect a lot of spy vs. spy thrills.

Executive producer John Eisendrath told a critics convention that “Redemption” will stand on its own. The same could be said of “Law & Order: SVU.” He did not rule out crossover episodes with the “Blacklist” mothership.

Ryan Eggold and Famke Janssen star as spies Tom Keen and Susan “Scottie” Hargrave. Both look good in formal wear.

With a second “Blacklist,” it’s safe to say that NBC has become pretty franchise heavy. Out of 21 hours of prime time, four belong to three “Chicago” shows and “SVU” from Dick Wolfe. Now, we have two helpings of “Blacklist.” Additional hours are devoted to “The Voice,” game show fodder like “The Wall” and heaping helpings of “Dateline” every week. And there are months of Sundays consigned to football.

At this rate, we’ll be seeing “This Is Us, Too!”

» CMT follows “Nashville” with “Sun Records” (9 p.m.,), a period-piece costume drama set in mid-1950s Memphis, where Sam Phillips (Chad Michael Murray) discovered such legendary talents as Elvis Presley (Drake Milligan), Johnny Cash (Kevin Fonteyne) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Christian Lees), all influenced by the confluence of gospel, blues, country, folk and “hillbilly” music flowing over the radio airwaves of the mid-South.

The Sun Records story is one of the most seminal moments in music history. Make that American history. And that’s why it has been told so many times.

Michael St. Gerard was the title star of “Elvis,” a 1990 ABC series that lasted for 10 episodes. He had also portrayed the King in the movies “Elvis Presley: Heart of Dixie” and “Great Balls of Fire!” and later on an episode of “Quantum Leap.” But in my mind, he’ll always be Link Larkin from the original “Hairspray.”

It’s very difficult to reverently replicate the Sun Records story without collapsing into parody. Particularly since the scene was so brilliantly evoked in the 2007 spoof documentary “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”

Other highlights

» Alex finds the hospital very changed on “Grey’s Anatomy” (7 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).

» Red must find the confidant who poisoned him on “The Blacklist” (8 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).

» Suspects emerge in Wes’ murder on the two-hour season finale of “How to Get Away With Murder” (8 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).

» Jason’s funeral looms on “Riverdale” (8 p.m., WLMT-TV Channel 30).

» Rayna draws inspiration from anguish on “Nashville” (8 p.m., CMT).

» A winner is crowned on “Project Runway: Junior” (8 p.m., Lifetime).

» Kate draws a dark conclusion on “Colony” (9 p.m., USA).

» Iggy Azalea and Nick Young engage in “Lip Sync Battle” (9 p.m., Spike).

» Bugging out on “Portlandia” (9 p.m., IFC).

» Martha books Chip a novel gig on “Baskets” (9 p.m., FX).

» Paul Rodriguez shares his thoughts on plans for a border wall on “Gotham Comedy Live” (9 p.m., AXS).

Kevin McDonough can be reached at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.