“The War” (8 p.m., PBS): We still question PBS’ strategy of airing Ken

“The War” (8 p.m., PBS): We still question PBS’ strategy of airing Ken Burns’ latest epic documentary in a week when the airwaves will be flooded with the premieres of new and returning network shows. Then again, when your program is a one-of-a-kind classic like this 15-hour heavyweight is, why not jump in the ring with the big boys? Using a highly personal approach, “The War” relies on “ordinary” servicemen and their loved ones to tell the story of World War II from Pearl Harbor through Hiroshima and beyond. It’s not always easy to watch, and 15 hours is practically a lifetime in this era of pea-sized attention spans, but “The War” is the rare TV event that will stay with you for a long, long time. The film rolls out in seven episodes over two weeks.

“The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox): We’ll see if “The Simpsons” got big heads after becoming movie stars over the summer. Now it’s back to the small screen for our favorite Springfield clan as they kick off their 19th season with an episode that features guest voice work by Stephen Colbert and Lionel Richie.

“King of the Hill” (8:30 p.m., Fox): Hank and his buddies take his son Bobby to a Texas-Nebraska college football game to formally indoctrinate him as a Longhorns fan. But Hank fumbles the ball.

“Family Guy” (9 p.m., Fox): Now hear this, all you “Star Wars” fans! Listen up, all of you who think the “Star Wars” saga is a big, silly crock! That covers nearly everyone, right? And none of you should think of missing this week’s “Family Guy,” the Fox cartoon satire that, in a special one-hour season premiere, does a wickedly funny spoof of “Star Wars.” Episode IV, of course. In this retelling, portly patriarch Peter Griffin is transformed into Han Solo. Wife Lois is Princess Leia. Their tyrannical infant, Stewie, is Darth Vader. Dim-bulb teenage son Chris is Luke Skywalker, and suave family dog Brian is Chewbacca. And it goes from there, in a dead-on homage that hilariously picks apart “Star Wars,” along with much of real life. And all in just 40 minutes, if you take your lightsaber and zap the commercials.