Bittersweet home Chicago
"The Chi" doesn't do much to counter the Second City's tattered image or make the case it's a worthy companion piece to "The Wire," the standard-bearer for inner-city dramas. Creator Lena Waithe, who won an Emmy for "Master of None," doesn't have David Simon's ear for memorable dialogue, but she shows a keen eye for casting. Red-hot Jason Mitchell ("Mudbound") sizzles as an ambitious chef struggling with his conscience after a loved one's death.
9 p.m. Sun., Showtime
The river wild
Teddy Roosevelt's rough-and-ready persona was put to the test when he agreed to explore uncharted waters in South America, a misadventure well-documented in "Into the Amazon." Director John Maggio does a nice job of delving into the psyche of TR's son Kermit, whose attempt to follow in his father's footsteps was almost as hazardous as the bug-swatting journey, and Brazilian explorer Candido Rondon, whose contributions deserve further study.
8 p.m. Tue., TPT, Ch. 2
Cruel to be kind
Fans of "Broad City" and "Difficult People" will get a kick out of "Alone Together," another stellar example of how much naughty fun can be mined from men and women behaving badly. Stars Benji Aflalo and Esther Povitsky may look like teens, but they are very much adults, even as they engage in childish behavior such as pretending to be an escort or playing on the emotions of a self-mocking Denise Richards. This is the kind of company you want to keep, but only when separated by a TV screen.
7:30 p.m. Wed., Freeform
Neal Justin
