‘Boardwalk’ blisters
Following his nearly fatal battle with Gyp Rosetti (Bobby Cannavale), Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) makes a peace offering to Joe Masseria (Ivo Nandi) while working the odds with Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg). Chalky White (Michael Kenneth Williams) is running the Onyx Club on the boardwalk. Impressionable federal agent Warren Knox arrives in Atlantic City to learn the ropes from Agent Sawicki (Joseph Aniska). Gillian (Gretchen Mol) seeks custody of her grandson. Al Capone (Stephen Graham) enlists his brothers, Frank and Ralph, to expand the business to the Chicago suburb of Cicero.
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
Tonight, 9 p.m., HBO
Simon says
Scandal-plagued Simon Cowell and songstress Demi Lovato are joined by two new judges, Kelly Rowland and global pop sensation Paulina Rubio for a new season of “X Factor.” There are two installments this week. Will Cowell’s recent bedroom antics boost the ratings? Unlikely. Mario Lopez, who will take any job to stay in showbiz, hosts the show that has yet to launch a star. Talent shows: played out?
THE X FACTOR
Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m., FOX
Bone to pick
Hank (Mark Feuerstein) treats a young paleontologist (guest star Pippa Black) who is preparing a fossilized dinosaur skeleton for auction. Russell (Stephen Spinella) suffers an injury that seems scientifically impossible. Meanwhile, Evan (Paulo Costanzo) and Paige (Brooke D’Orsay) realize they need to take a drastic step to save their marriage, and Divya (Reshma Shetty) learns her pregnancy will be even more challenging than she expected. When the future of HankMed is threatened, Hank tries to save it by re-examining his role in the business.
ROYAL PAINS
Wednesday, 9 p.m., USA
Sweating with the oldies
Retired septuagenarian Celia Dawson (Anne Reid.) makes contact with Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi) — an old boyfriend whom she has not seen in 50 years — on Facebook. Celia’s daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) is surprised by the revelation, though distracted by her own romantic problems comprising her adulterous husband (Tony Gardner). Alan and Celia meet up and immediately rekindle their friendship. One slight problem: Alan’s car is stolen. But theft and bickering children — Caroline clashes with Alan’s daughter, Gillian (Nicola Walker) — can’t get in the way of true love.
LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX
Tonight, 8 p.m., PBS
More soap suds
Alejandro (Matt Cedeno) and Carmen (Roselyn Sanchez) offer different opinions about his new relationship. Marisol (Ana Ortiz) gets closer to the truth. Rosie (Dania Ramirez) cleans up a serious mess for Peri (Mariana Klaveno), Philippe and Deneuve grow closer, but Zoila (Judy Reyes) doesn’t believe that he’s changed his philandering ways.
DEVIOUS MAIDS
Tonight, 10 p.m., Lifetime
Super trivia contest
Ryan Seacrest, the busiest man in show business, takes time off “American Idol,” and his other gigs in radio and television to come to New York for “The Million Second Quiz.” Contestants play head-to-head trivia bouts inside an outdoor hourglass-shaped structure in Midtown Manhattan for a million seconds (11 days, 13 hours, 46 minutes and 40 seconds). One player sits in the “money chair,” accumulating as much time there as possible by answering trivia questions against a rival sitting in an opposite chair. Each second a player holds the money chair is worth $10. Those who want to face off against the person sitting in the money chair can do so by coming down to the hourglass or by successfully answering questions online using their mobile devices or home computers.
THE MILLION SECOND QUIZ
Monday, 8 p.m., NBC