Rising Star Sunday, 9 p.m., ABC
It was a disappointing first outing last week for this new singing competition, whose main gimmick is a live audience vote that decides who stays and goes. Although Josh Groban was, as expected, a charming host, he was also forced to keep telling us how exciting and groundbreaking the series is without it ever actually demonstrating that excitement. Judges Kesha, Ludacris, and Brad Paisley were mostly fine, but there was just so very much talking: Groban’s introductions, the video packages, the time fillers, like musician-mentor Ray Chew talking about his advice. Why not let the singers, you know, do more singing instead? And with a handful of exceptions, the talent wasn’t particularly exceptional. Many of the vocalists may have received the requisite percentage of votes to “raise the wall,” but the producers need to raise their game.
The Last Ship Sunday, 9 p.m., TNT
If you made it to the end of the whiz-bang premiere and didn’t jump “Ship” from this formulaic but diverting action series, you’ll likely be all in by the end of this second hour, which finds the crew visiting a not-quite deserted Guantanamo Bay. Pictured: Adam Baldwin.
The Assets Saturday, 9 p.m., ABC
Last Tango in Halifax Sunday, 8 p.m., Channel 2
But when was the first tango?
The Leftovers Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
But when was dinner?