The NFL’s newest team takes on one of it most venerable franchises when the expansion Houston Texans play the New York Giants in the Hall of Fame game live from Canton, Ohio, on a preseason edition of “Monday Night Football” (8 p.m., ABC). ABC’s 32-year-old football institution also sports a revamped cast. The arcane comedic observations of Dennis Miller make way for the pulverizingly loud commentary of veteran broadcaster John Madden. Madden may know football better than most mortals, but he announces every game as if he were screaming over the din at a crowded tavern. He’s exhausting, deafening, and dare I say, Madden-ing. He joins longtime “Monday Night Football” announcer Al Michaels, who doesn’t shout very often.

Speaking of loud commentary, R. Lee Ermey hosts the new History Channel weekly series “Mail Call” (7 p.m.). Viewers may remember Ermey from his memorable role as a sadistic drill sergeant in Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 drama “Full Metal Jacket.” Ermey has gone on to turn this role into a gimmicky routine, appearing in beer commercials and now on this program, where he answers e-mailed questions from viewers about the nuts and bolts of military hardware.

Once you get past Ermey’s act, “Mail Call” is an informative show for the armchair military buff. In its opening half-hour, we learn the proper way to drive a tank, the firing speed of a Civil War era Gatling gun, the composition of a ninth-century Japanese Samurai sword and the proper way to wear a medieval suit of armor. Viewers can submit their own questions online at www.historychannel.com/mailcall.

The documentary series “Basic Training” (7:30 p.m., History) follows four men and two women through the grueling process of Army basic training for three months as they learn marksmanship, unarmed combat, teamwork and survival. The series also looks at the very different backgrounds of the recruits and how they adapt to army life. Like all “reality” series, “Basic Training” involves challenges and the possibility of elimination. It culminates with the graduation of the “survivors” and their assignment within the U.S. Army.

The folks at Nickelodeon know that birthdays are a very big deal for preschoolers. (Hey, they’re a big deal for the way-past-schoolers, too!) So they have scheduled a special primetime episode of “Blue’s Clues” (7 p.m., Nickelodeon) to celebrate host Joe’s birthday. Blue and her buddies Mailbox and Mr. Salt are leaving nothing to chance as they plan a shindig complete with party hats and games. For the uninitiated, “Blue’s Clues” is a gentle animated series that remains one of the most-watched shows among the pre-kindergarten set.

Tonight’s other highlights

Jack Nicholson steals the 1992 drama “A Few Good Men” (7 p.m., TBS) from co-stars Tom Cruise and Demi Moore. Based on a play written by “West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin.

l Scheduled on “48 Hours” (9 p.m., CBS): New evidence about Bonny Lee Bakley that could affect the Robert Blake case.

Carl Reiner guest stars on a repeat of “Crossing Jordan” (9 p.m., NBC).

William Shatner hosts “One Hit Wonders” (9 p.m., VH1).

Cult choice

Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable share enough screen sizzle to burn down Atlanta all over again in the 1939 blockbuster “Gone with the Wind” (7 p.m., Turner Classic Movies).

Series notes

“Dog” is new … With Carrie away, Doug’s parents come to stay on “King of Queens” (7 p.m., CBS) … Joe Rogan hosts “Fear Factor” (7 p.m., NBC) … Ronnie witnesses a student criminal on “Boston Public” (7 p.m., Fox) … Kim aces her IQ test on “The Parkers” (7 p.m., UPN) … Bullies pick on a Muslim neighbor on “7th Heaven” (7 p.m., WB)… A scouting nightmare on “Yes, Dear” (7:30 p.m., CBS) … Ray sabotages Debra’s school board bid on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (89 p.m., CBS) … Brooke Burns hosts “Dog Eat Dog” (8 p.m., NBC) … A great gift from the wrong Santa on “Girlfriends” (89 p.m., UPN) … A wicked cop blackmails Clark on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB)

Late night

Ellen DeGeneres and Al Franken appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS,r) … Jay Leno hosts Vin Diesel, Pete Correale and Tweet on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Darrell Hammond, Rachel Griffiths and Harry Shearer appear on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Tim Matheson and Paulina Rubino are booked on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (11:37 p.m., CBS).