PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET
No, this isn’t a repeat of Fox’s Utopia. It’s a new two-hour documentary about the atomic bomb, keyed loosely to the 70th anniversary of the dropping of the bomb to end WWII in 1945. This documentary traces the history and development of this deadly super-weapon, which transformed global politics in ways that are still being felt. Check local listings.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
Documentarian Les Blank made his first movie in 1960 (a short film with a long title: Running Around Like a Chicken with Its Head Cut Off). His last one was released in 2014, a year after his death. In between, he made dozens of nonfiction films, including my personal favorite, 1980’s Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe. Neither of those is presented tonight, but 11 others are, starting with four set in his beloved New Orleans. At 8 p.m. ET, there’s 1978’s Always for Pleasure (a look at Mardi Gras, pictured), followed at 9:15 p.m. ET by 1972’s Spend It All (about Cajun culture, especially its music), at 10:15 p.m. ET by 1973’s Dry Wood (a brief biography of Cajun musician “Bois Sec” Ardoin), and at 11 p.m. ET by 1980’s Yum Yum Yum! A Taste of Cajun and Creole Cooking of Louisiana.
Fox, 9:00 p.m. ET
Knock Knock, who’s there? Hap. Hap who? Happen to see last week’s premiere of Ryan Seacrest’s new series, Knock Knock Live? If not, you may want to sample tonight’s second installment. And if so, you’ll know, for yourself, whether it’s worth tuning in again.
PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET
Part 1 of 2. Uranium is the element at the core of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 – and 70 years later, it’s the subject at the core of this new two-part PBS documentary, concluding tomorrow night. Check local listings.
Comedy Central, 11:00 p.m. ET
Last night, scheduled Daily Show guest Ted Cruz backed out at the last minute – prompting host Jon Stewart, somewhat gleefully, to replace him, almost instantly, with respected historian and bestseller David McCullough. Tonight’s scheduled guest is Tom Cruise, and if he pulls a last-second no-show, Stewart, no doubt, will “trade up” again. So tune in tonight, regardless.