The Man of Steel Returns to Smallville in The CW's Superman & Lois

As Primetimer's Josh Zyber writes today, the premiere of Superman & Lois is a big swing for The CWverse, a franchise that has traditionally elevated B- and C-List comic book characters to headline stature. Up for debate is whether Superman's primetime return is a sign of strength for the TV franchise or of weakness for the legendary character after a string big screen flops, but with the new series set in Smallville, it's hard to imagine it happening anywhere other than The CW.

Also today: Kate and Kevin take the new big three home on This Is Us, Tim Allen and Richard Karns reunite for a new reality competition, and Netflix looks at the life and legacy of Pelé. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this Tuesday:

SERIES PREMIERE: The 90-minute premiere of Superman & Lois finds the The Man of Steel (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) leaving Metropolis to raise their teenage sons Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan (Alexander Garfin) in Smallville, where a mysterious stranger (Wolé Parks) and an impassioned self-made mogul Morgan Edge (Adam Rayner) seem poised to wreak havoc on their hopes for a simple country life. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on The CW

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Stick around after the premiere for the half-hour special Superman & Lois: Legacy of Hope, which goes behind the scenes with the cast and executive producers of the new series. 9:30 PM ET on The CW

NEW EPISODE: They've had their new babies, now it's time to drive them home. Tonight's new This Is Us sees Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Kevin (Justin Hartley) headed home from the hospital, a journey that proved trying for their father many years earlier. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on NBC

SERIES PREMIERE: Home Improvement's Tim Allen and Richard Karns reunite for the History Channel's new competition series Assembly Required, where they'll challenge makers from across the country to create mind-blowing, one of a kind builds. Watch trailer. 10:00 PM ET on History

DOCUMENTARY: Netflix chronicles the life of the Brazilian football player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé. The documentary looks back at the extraordinary period when Pelé, the only player to win three World Cup titles, went from a young superstar to a national hero. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: K-pop sensation BTS is bringing its act to MTV Unplugged for an acoustic set from the band's native South Korea. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on MTV

COMEDY SPECIAL: Veteran comic Brian Regan returns to the comedy stage in Brian Regan: On the Rocks with a new look and a brand new set. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

NEW EPISODE: Over the last four NFL off-seasons, just three Black coaching candidates have filled 27 head coaching vacancies. Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel explores the hiring practices of teams across the NFL. 10:00 PM ET on HBO

SEASON FINALE: Grace (Tiera Skovbye) goes public with her claims against Dr. Hamilton (Peter Stebbings in the season finale of Nurses. Wolf (Donald MacLean Jr.) takes a stand when Red (Ryan Blakely) endangers the life of a patient. Watch preview. 10:00 PM ET on NBC

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