Local cops and local color loom large in “Memphis Beat” (9 p.m., TNT), a preposterous new police procedural that brings Jason Lee (“My Name Is Earl”) back to prime time. But the real stars are the city of Memphis and the mid-20th-century music created there.

Detective Dwight Hendricks (Lee) loves Memphis and its music, and he begins and ends the pilot episode performing an Elvis song onstage before fellow officers and an adoring saloon audience. In between gigs, he battles with his new boss Lt. Tanya Rice (Alfre Woodard) and devotes all of his working and nonworking, nonsleeping hours to a single case involving the apparent abuse of an Alzheimer’s patient who just happens to be a legendary Memphis disc jockey.

“Beat” is best appreciated for its supporting cast, including the always capable Woodard, Celia Weston (“Junebug”) as Dwight’s ebullient mother and D.J. Qualls and Sam Hennings as fellow officers.

The combination of nice-guy empathy and anti-authority wiseguy attitude that propelled “Earl” seems much less convincing here amid grim scenes, bodies and blood, and events with tragic consequences.

Lee clearly has a great ear for music. The soundtrack for “My Name Is Earl” often offered a memorable medley of classic rock and more contemporary fare. But the mix featured here is symptomatic of the series’ way-too-reverent take on Memphis’ contribution to popular culture. The parade of classic hits feel more like the elevator music at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• The lifeless hospital drama “Hawthorne” (8 p.m., TNT), starring Jada Pinkett Smith, enters its second season. Her husband, Will, stars in the superhero spoof “Hancock” (7 p.m., Encore). Mr. and Mrs. Smith recently appeared at the Tony Awards as producers of “Fela,” winner of three awards. That same weekend, the remake of the “Karate Kid,” starring their son Jaden, was the most popular movie in America. That’s one busy family.

• “P.O.V.” (9 p.m., PBS, check local listings) returns for its 23rd season with “William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe” a profile of the late lawyer, best known for defending radical clients and championing lost causes, created by his two daughters.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Barbecue takes center stage on a two-hour “Hell’s Kitchen” (7 p.m., Fox).

• Capt. Harris faces a crisis on “Deadliest Catch” (8 p.m., Discovery).

• Auditions continue on “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., NBC).

• A death-row case gets a second look on “The Good Wife” (9 p.m., CBS).

• “Primetime” (9 p.m., ABC) looks at mind games.