NBC, MSNBC host ‘Commander-in-Chief’ forum
When is a debate not a debate? When it’s the “Commander-in-Chief Forum” (8 p.m., NBC and MSNBC). The presidential candidates, former senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former host of “The Apprentice” Donald Trump, will take the same stage — but not at the same time — to answer questions about military policy and national security posed by American veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The major party candidates will also meet in debates on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University, Oct. 9 at Washington University and Oct. 19 at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
TERROR ON TV
On a similar note, “Nova” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) presents “15 Years of Terror.” Rather than recap the events of the “war on terror,” it presents ways that terrorist organizations have employed emerging internet and social media tools to present a decentralized challenge — a band of “self-radicalized” soldiers ready to deploy crowdsourced violence. Along the way, we have moved from the elaborate, years-in-the-planning operations like the attacks of 9/11 to freelance activities at the Boston Marathon, San Bernardino, Paris and Brussels.
At the same time, the twoway mirror of social media has allowed intelligence agencies to study the mindsets and motivations of potential threats. Can new technologies and psychological insights predict and prevent future attacks?
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
The family faces an election day reckoning on the two-hour season finale of “American Gothic” (9 p.m., CBS). This low-rated summer series is also facing likely cancellation.
Fans of Guillermo del Toro’s “The Strain,” as well as his gothic sensibilities and lurid color palette, should enjoy the 2015 chiller “Crimson Peak” (10 p.m., Cinemax), starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston.
Athletes compete in the Rio Paralympics (7 p.m., NBCSN).
Contestants have five minutes to scour for 20 ingredients in a new challenge on a twohour “MasterChef” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
Live results on “America’s Got Talent” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
Harvey mulls freeing Gallo to protect Mike on “Suits” (9 p.m., USA, TV-14).
Mel B goes “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
Sports talk on “Any Given Wednesday With Bill Simmons” (10 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).
It may come down to Barry and Molly against the caliphate on “Tyrant” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
Elliot questions Mr. Robot’s honesty on “Mr. Robot” (10 p.m., USA, TV-14).
Imma assumes control of the criminal clan on “Gomorrah” (10 p.m., Sundance, TV-MA). Gretchen enters therapy on “You’re the Worst” (10 p.m., FXX, TV-MA). Julie Chen hosts “Big Brother” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG). On two helpings of “The Goldbergs” (ABC, repeat, TV-PG): musical theater (8 p.m.), relationship advice (8:30 p.m.). Illusionists audition on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG).
On two helpings of “Modern Family” (ABC, repeat, TV-PG): Gloria stuns Jay (9 p.m.), prom jitters (10 p.m.).
On two episodes of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (CW, TV-14): Cheryl Hines (9 p.m.), Misty May-Treanor (9:30 p.m., repeat).
In the family way on “blackish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, repeat, TV-PG).
Opening a food truck on “The Middle” (10:30 p.m., ABC, repeat, TV-PG).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.