Counter intelligence

J.K. Simmons' Oscar win for 2014's "Whiplash" may have gotten overshadowed by his role as the Farmers Insurance spokesman, but "Counterpart" reminds us he's one of our finest talents. In the series, he plays two roles: a frustrated bureaucrat and a fearless assassin, separated after a botched scientific experience created alternative worlds. Their uneasy alliance sets the stage for a terse sci-fi adventure and a showcase for Simmons.

7 p.m. Sun., Starz

Basic instincts

"Mosaic," in which a Minnesota-raised bartender gets involved in Utah-based intrigue, may be the most app-friendly TV series to date, with tons of extras available long before this week's more traditional premiere. But as a stand-alone, the Steven Soderbergh-directed pilot seems like a setup to a fairly mundane thriller — unless the notion of Sharon Stone and Pee Wee Herman sharing the screen makes you giddy.

7 p.m. Mon., HBO

Life goes on for Louie

Not much happens in the Season 3 premiere of "Baskets," but there's satisfaction in simply seeing the show return to the air after FX severed all ties with executive producer Louis C.K. The disgraced comic is no longer associated with the series, but Minnesota's comeback kid Louie Anderson is front and center as his beloved character, Christine, discovers that buying a rodeo means getting featured on the 4 p.m. local news. In the world of "Baskets," that's like a winning shot at the buzzer.

9 p.m. Tue., FX

Neal Justin