Wednesday on TV: It's not 'ER,' but 'The Night Shift' doesn't have to be

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

It still tries too hard to be "ER," but "The Night Shift" (9 p.m., NBC/C. 5) developed into a pretty good medical drama over its first couple of season.

As Season 3 begins, the team is immersed in a bizarre car-accident rescue; Drew serves overseas in Afghanistan; and a spunky grad joins the shift.

Elsewhere on TV ...

• "500 Questions" (7 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4): Quiz show continues.

• "American Ninja Warrior" (7 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5): In the Season 8 premiere features four new obstacles, — the Floating Steps, Tic Toc, Escalator and Ring Jump.

• "MasterChef" (7 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13): Forty chefs present their signature dishes to the judges. (Season premiere)

• "iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party 2016" (7 p.m., CW/Ch. 30): Nick Jonas; Chris Brown; Kelly Clarkson; Nicki Minaj; Shaggy; and Echosmith.

• "Maron" (7 p.m., IFC): Marc's sponsor sets him up in an odd living situation.

• "Roots" (7 p.m., A&E, History and Lifetime): George vows to buy freedom for him and his family, but his master loses a wager and needs to sell George to save the farm. (Concludes Thursday)

• "Genius by Stephen Hawking" (8 and 9 p.m., PBS/Ch. 7): What constitutes life? Where is Earth is located in the cosmos?

• "Wayward Pines" (8 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13): Theo tries to get answers about the status of his wife; the town historian spearheads a vital and potentially deadly project outside the fence.

• "The Night Shift" (9 p.m., NBC/C. 5): The team is immersed in a bizarre car-accident rescue; Drew serves overseas in Afghanistan; and a spunky grad joins the shift. (Season premiere)

• "Young & Hungry" (9 p.m., FreeForm): Elliot, Alan and Yolanda are mistaken for a three-person "couple." (Season premiere)

• "Transgender Kids" (9 p.m., TLC): Four transgender children seek acceptance during their transition.

• "Baby Daddy" (9:30 p.m., FreeForm): Riley puts Danny on trial for breaking her heart.

• "The Americans" (11 p.m., FX): Paige sees her mother in a new light and Oleg reaches a breaking point with Stan.

• "Lopez" (11 p.m., TV Land): George becomes frustrated with community troubles in Las Vegas and Southern California.

• "Royal Pains" (11 p.m., USA): Hank finds romance while in Hong Kong trying to prevent the theft of Boris' medical records.

• "The Soul Man" (11:30 p.m., TV Land): Boyce tries to end the garbage strike.