‘Don’t’ debuts; ‘Man With a Plan’ ends

ABC adds a new title to its gameshow-heavy schedule. “Don’t” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) combines the manic statesmanship of “Wipe Out” with a little reverse psychology. Teams of family members earn prize money by resisting host Adam Scott’s suggestion.

After ingesting a hot pepper and walking on a treadmill under the blistering heat of stage lights, they earn thousands every time they turn down a cool, refreshing beverage. It pays every time they “Don’t Drink.”

Scott, a veteran of “Parks & Recreation” and Starz’ “Party Down,” one of the most underrated comedies of the young century, offers low-key snark. But that’s not enough to contrast with the show’s high-energy frivolity.

In a promotion for the show, Scott suggests that the “ridiculous” nature of “Don’t” may be the perfect tonic for our challenging times. It struck me as the complete opposite, offering the prospect of being trapped with loud exhibitionists desperate to have “fun.” But that’s just me.

› Adam schemes to surprise Andi with the perfect anniversary gift, a recreation of their RV honeymoon, on the series finale of “Man With a Plan” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).

Recently canceled, “Man” was interesting for just how uninteresting it could be. Storylines about forgotten anniversaries and mothers-in-law seemed like deliberate throwbacks to another era — the era that produced comedies like “The Mothers-in-Law.” Even then, that sitcom seemed old. “Mothers” only lasted two seasons. “Man” wraps up after four.

› Two years ago, on June 8, 2018, we lost chef, author and television personality Anthony Bourdain to depression and suicide. I miss him.

In a television medium that often dumbs things down, Bourdain challenged his viewers to travel, to think and to read. He was almost alone on television in that he talked about culture. More to the point, he listened. Over many televised meals, he invited viewers to look at life from another perspective, reflecting a different history and often explained in another language.

I thought of Bourdain

as we recently adjusted to the pandemic and so many restaurants shuttered. He was passionate about celebrating his TV crew and his restaurant’s staff, and he would be saddened to see so many thrown out of work.

In addition to his cooking and television productions, Bourdain was an amateur historian and wrote the book “Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical.”

Like today’s asymptomatic COVID spreaders,

Typhoid Mary was a “carrier” who never fell ill — and who worked as a cook, spreading her illness. Bourdain’s book wrestled with many of the ideas we’ve been discussing, like the boundaries between protecting public health and maintaining individual rights and freedom.

Anthony Bourdain was a thoughtful guy who made thinking seem cool. I miss him for that.