“Meerkat Manor” (8:30 p.m., Animal Planet): The next chapter in the lives of Flower,

“Meerkat Manor” (8:30 p.m., Animal Planet): The next chapter in the lives of Flower, Mozart and Carlos will be revealed as the popular show returns for a new, 13-episode season. With the Whiskers clan driven from their Kalahari Desert home in Africa by the rival Commandos, matriarch Flower must lead a march to another dwelling, surviving weather, predators and a new enemy in the Zappa clan. The foot-tall meerkat is a member of the mongoose family that looks cute but is tough enough to send a cobra into hiding — and clever enough to engage TV viewers in a furry soap opera that’s become a cult hit.

“Flash Gordon” (9 p.m., Sci-Fi Channel): Take away his fancy spandex costume and laser gun and what do you have? Handsome Eric Johnson (”Smallville”) takes on the title role as he and his companions find themselves determined to save Earth from the evil otherworldly tyrant known as Ming. Some way-cool special effects spice up the action.

“Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge” (9 p.m., CMT): Holding on for dear life while astride a rampaging one-ton beast doesn’t sound all that fun, but rodeo star Ty Murray obviously digs it. Now he’s passing on his craft to others. Watch as several courageous (or idiotic) B-listers, including Vanilla Ice and Stephen Baldwin, take the bull by the horns, so to speak.