Even mythic places change. Long before it was “hip,” Brooklyn held a special place in pop culture. From “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” to “The Honeymooners” and “She’s Gotta Have It,” the borough, and its sense of place, had a starring role.
Far from its gritty past, Brooklyn has become synonymous with trendy. NBC even imagined a Hallmark Channel version of Brooklyn for its new melodrama “The Village.”
Now entering its second season, the comedy “The Last O.G.” (10:30 p.m., TBS, TV-MA) plays with stereotypes about the borough and its many myths. Released from prison after 15 years, Tray (Tracy Morgan) finds his old neighborhood vastly changed.
The “hood” has given way to gentrification and old-school, street-smart players are being pushed aside by cafes, vegan restaurants and artisanal bakeries.
This complicates Tray’s efforts to reconcile with his ex, Shay (Tiffany Haddish), who has long outgrown being called Shay-Shay and who resents Tray for having to raise their kids on her own.
The series reflects some of the interesting cultural and casting cross-pollination happening on TV and elsewhere. It is co-created by Jordan Peele, whose hit movie “Us” is now in theaters and whose “Twilight Zone” just began streaming yesterday. Morgan shows up in one “Zone” as a Mephistophelian comedian ready to play Let’s Make a Deal.
“O.G.” also features Cedric the Entertainer as Tray’s counselor, Mullins. He stars in “The Neighborhood” on CBS, another, less-convincing tale of a culture clash in a changing city. He can also be seen in the very powerful independent 2018 movie “First Reformed” (streaming on Amazon Prime). Credited as Cedric Kyles, he plays the level-headed pastor of a mega-church trying to talk sense to an unhinged minister portrayed by Ethan Hawke. His performance is another example of a comedian bringing surprising depths to a dramatic role.
— Speaking of myths, filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon revisit a 1989 case of five teens accused of raping a jogger in “The Central Park Five” (9 p.m., PBS). Tried and convicted in the tabloid media, they became potent symbols of urban chaos and racial fears.
So powerful was the sentiment against them that even the emergence of a confession by the real perpetrator, a serial rapist, failed to convince some of their innocence.
A brash New York personality who would go on to become president took out full-page newspaper ads calling for their execution. Despite DNA evidence, he still considers them guilty.
— TV-themed DVDs available today include the third season of Australian comedy “The Heart Guy,” now streaming on Acorn.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— Artists Alejandro G. Inarritu, Marina Abramovic and Kehinde Wiley appear on “Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings).
— Checking a name off the most-wanted list on “FBI” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— A way forward emerges on the season finale of “This Is Us” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— A drive-by slaying on “NCIS: New Orleans” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— Ava returns on “The Village” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— Suspects go free on “The Rookie” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
— Office drones (John Cusack and Catherine Keener) discover a magic portal that puts them inside a famous actor’s head in the deliriously original 1999 comedy “Being John Malkovich” (9:55 p.m., Cinemax), directed by Spike Jonze.
SERIES NOTES
Fishing for compliments on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Volunteers play “Ellen’s Game of Games” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) … 16 juvenile chefs remain on “MasterChef” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) … The bachelor party episode of “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) … Iris under threat on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) … Preparing for a bundle of joy on “Modern Family” (8:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).
Rob Lowe hosts “Mental Samurai” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-PG) … Mentor madness on “blackish” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … 2008 is ancient history on “Roswell, New Mexico” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … Lights out on “Splitting Up Together” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
LATE NIGHT
Nick Kroll appears on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r, TV-14) … Emilia Clarke, Henry Winkler and H.E.R. are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … James Taylor and Tiffany Haddish appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC) … Issa Rae, Timothy Simons, Rachael Ray and Aaron Comess visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Zach Braff and Ben Platt appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
