Part buddy cop and part Western, “Deputy” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14) offers equal parts adrenaline and righteous dialogue. When it doesn’t run to predictable monologues.
Super-tough and ultra-principled Los Angeles cop Bill Hollister (Stephen Dorff) is first seen getting a dressing down from bureaucrats for stepping out of line. He didn’t agree with cooperating with an ICE crackdown and blew its cover. Since the brass can’t fire him, they have to listen to his speech on living up to the American dream.
An ultraviolent chase scene and shootout accompanied by loud music quickly ensue. No sooner do the engines cool and the smoke clear than the brass are on his tail once again. Not to bust him, but to appoint him sheriff.
According to an arcane law dating back to cowboy days, the highest ranking deputy becomes sheriff upon the death of his predecessor. And it seems the old guy has just been promoted to Boot Hill.
Bill’s unlikely elevation doesn’t surprise his fetching wife (Yara Martinez), who happens to be the emergency room doctor who gets to stitch up both wounded cops and bleeding bad guys. The fact that she couldn’t save Bill’s partner, who took a bullet for him before dying, makes their marriage a shared guilt trip.
Now sheriff, Bill is assigned a driver and an assistant, Deputy Brianna Bishop (Bex Taylor-Klaus), who is young, attractive and incredibly accomplished. As well as a very androgynous lesbian.
Apparently, the creators of this series think that the banter between Bishop and her Kevin Costnerish boss is enough “color” to redeem this series from its cliches. Since Bill is technically sheriff now, you have to wonder if she’s the deputy that gives this show its name.
— “Last Man Standing” (8 p.m. Fox, TV-14) enters its eighth season, airing back-to-back episodes in an hourlong block.
Its delayed return and move to Thursday nights is explained with forced banter between Mike (Tim Allen), Vanessa (Nancy Travis) and a confused Terry Bradshaw, who thinks he’s going to hang out and watch some “Thursday Night Football.”
Things quickly get back to usual, as Mike has to navigate the minefield of female emotions in his midst. For reasons I don’t quite understand (hey, I’m a guy), Vanessa’s empty nest syndrome manifests itself as rage.
An old-fashioned sitcom filled with punchline-driven dialogue and gales of canned laughter, “Last” really reminds us how much television has come to resemble advertising. Not only do many scenes take place at Mike’s theme park-like sporting goods store, his and Vanessa’s home features a perfect kitchen and a bedroom that resembles a department store showroom. I’m a big believer that thoughtful set design helps establish interesting characters. Everything here seems ordered from the same catalog.
— In addition to new series, it’s a night of TV honoring itself.
“What Is Jeopardy!? Alex Trebek and America’s Most Popular Quiz Show” (8 p.m., ABC) takes an intimate look at the syndicated series’ genial emcee. Michael Strahan hosts.
— “The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14) celebrates the long-running procedural produced by Dick Wolf.
— “Ghost Adventures: Screaming Room” (9 p.m., Travel) has the hosts looking back at their scariest adventure.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) concludes.
— Signs and portents on “Evil” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
A dictator’s demise sets off a power struggle in the 2017 farce “The Death of Stalin” (8 p.m., TMCX), from the creator of “Veep.”
SERIES NOTES
On two helpings of “Young Sheldon” (CBS, r, TV-PG): mental health (8 p.m.); autodidacts (8:30 p.m.) … On two helpings of “Superstore” (NBC, r, TV-14): Matteo’s good deed (8 p.m.); contract negotiations (8:30 p.m.) … Demons run loose on “Supernatural” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … Christy’s job disappoints on “Mom” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) … Hope can’t leave the past behind on “Legacies” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … Coping techniques on “Carol’s Second Act” (9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Aaron Paul appears on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) … Sen. Kamala Harris, Lady Antebellum and Peter Jackson are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Sen. Bernie Sanders, Katherine Langford and Gary Vaynerchuk on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) … Adam Sandler, Kevin Garnett and Karen Gillan appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC, r).
Sean Hayes, Jean Smart and Anna Baryshnikov visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Ben Platt and Zoey Deutch appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
