ABC's The Conners Goes Live For Special Election-Themed Episode

What makes live TV so special? As Primetimer's Aaron Barnhart writes today, there’s an intimacy and authenticity to live broadcasting that's as old as the medium itself. As broadcast TV continues to lose audience to streaming and other outlets, there's a reason the broadcast networks have embraced live more and more, whether it be in the form of live coast-to-coast episodes of SNL, live musicals and live all-star re-enactments of classic sitcoms. Tonight's episode of The Conners puts a new spin on the trend, incorporating the results of today's New Hampshire primary into the show's plot as part of a special election themed episode. Also tonight: ABC bows a new legal drama with a unusual premise, This is Us returns with part three in its "Hell of a Week" trilogy, and Ellen hopes to relieve the nation's tensions with some fun and games. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this Tuesday:

SPECIAL EPISODE: In a return to the more political roots of its predecessor, The Conners plans to tackle the importance of voting in special live episode that will see Mark (Ames McNamara) watching the results of the New Hampshire primary with Harris (Emma Kenney), who is apathetic to the electoral process. The episode will be performed live twice: once for the east coast airing, and once for the west. Watch the preview. 8:00 PM ET and PT on ABC

SERIES PREMIERE: Nicholas Pinnock stars as a prisoner turned lawyer who defends his fellow inmates while working to overturn his own life sentence in the legal drama For Life. Executive produced by  Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the series is inspired by the true story of Isaac Washington Jr. Read our review. 10:00 PM ET on ABC

NEW EPISODE: After last week's State of the Union denied fans the closure they so desperately crave, This is Us returns with part three of "A Hell of a Week." The conclusion to the Big Three trilogy turns its focus to Kate. 9:00 PM ET on ABC

NEW EPISODE: "Say What?" "Oh Ship," and "You Bet Your Wife" are just a few of the latest challenges Ellen's Game of Games has planned for tonight's contestants. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

DOCUMENTARY: Dick Cavett examines the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali in Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes. Using clips from The Dick Cavett Show and new interviews with Cavett and others, the film explores Ali's impact in and out of the ring, as well as his views on race, religion, and politics. Watch the preview. 9:00 PM ET on HBO

DOCUMENTARY: Alfonso Cuarón's Academy Award-winning film Roma was a deeply personal passion project. In the documentary Road to Roma, Cuarón looks back on his childhood and life experiences and details how they were reflected in his 2018 film. Streaming on Netflix

NBA BASKETBALL: TNT has another doubleheader on tap for hoops fans, with the Los Angeles Clippers vs the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PT, followed by the Boston Celtics vs the Houston Rockets at 9:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT on TNT

SERIES PREMIERE: From creator Avu DuVernay, the anthology series Cherish the Day follows the relationship of Gently James (Xosha Roquemore) and Evan Fisher (Alano Miller) over the course of eight episodes. Cicely Tyson costars. Watch the preview. 10:00 PM ET on OWN

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.