The disease has touched most American lives and is just growing, a lot of people needs Home Care Assistance if they suffer cancer. But Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee wondered just what the history of cancer was, hence his Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). And now it’s been turned into a miniseries, with Ken Burns getting the executive producer credit, perhaps to give this more attention. Director Barak Goodman entwines the early history of cancer treatment with the actual treatment of young children — a grabber if there ever was one. The fact that it’s entirely possible to survive childhood leukemia gives tonight’s first chapter a bit of a happier ending. The three parts are cut into history before 1970, the Nixon era and ever thing since, it continues Tuesday and Wednesday.
The network presents its easiest target yet (or second only to Trump) in its new “Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.). The badly behaving young popstar also volunteered for the abuse, which tends to make the proceedings less fun than they might have been. Still, Hannibal Buress, Kevin Hart and Chris D’Elia show up to tell jokes (and Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Shaquille O’Neal and Martha Stewart are there too). The event pre-empts “The Daily Show” tonight, which chose its successor for Jon Stewart this morning in Trevor Noah — bigger news than anything that will happen at the roast.
Kal Penn, the former “Harold and Kumar” star and White House staffer, who also stars in the current “Batttle Creek,” now hosts his own info cable show. “The Big Picture with Kal Penn” (National Geographic, 9:30 p.m.) looks at things that influence our lives, such as the search for treasure. So tonight he looks for gold in Nevada, baseball cards in Ohio and jewels in Poland lost in World War II.
Redfoo was first to go on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.); which foo will go next? Chris Soules, “The Bachelor,” has had the worst scores. Tonight’s theme, Latin, doesn’t seem like it will help him much.
It’s probably my favorite current show on TV: “Better Call Saul” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
A missile goes off track on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The knockout round continues on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Sandra Bernhard guest stars on “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Movies about TV newsmen (and women) are shown tonight on Turner Classic Movies with “The China Syndrome” (8 p.m.), “Broadcast News” (10:15 p.m.), “Network” (12:45 a.m.) and “While the City Sleeps” (3 a.m.).
In the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, the rest of the elite eight play: Dayton vs. Connecticut (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Tennessee vs. Maryland (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
NBA action includes Houston at Toronto (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Phoenix at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Los Angeles at Chicago (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.).
Spring baseball has Miami vs. Mets (MLB, 1 p.m.), San Francisco vs. Cubs (MLB, 4 p.m.) and Minnesota vs. Boston (MLB, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Sissy Spacek, Billy Gardell, Jerry O’Connell. The View: Kevin Bacon, Chef Pepin, Tamara Tunie, Garcelle Beauvais, Michelle Collins. The Talk: Regina King, Kevin Frazier, Hilaria Baldwin, Alyssa Milano. Ellen DeGeneres: Halle Berry, Hilary Duff, Tori Kelly. Wendy Williams: Nancy Redd, Bobbi Brown. Meredith Vieira: Christie Brinkley, Robin Rinaldi. Queen Latifah: Dr. Drew Pinsky, Norman Reedus (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Neil Patrick Harris, Charlie Cox, the Suffers. Jimmy Fallon: Helen Mirren, Oscar Isaac, Wale. Jimmy Kimmel: Vin Diesel, Van Halen. Seth Meyers: Nathan Lane, Borns. James Corden: David Beckham, Claire Danes, Bob Odenkirk. Carson Daly: Becki Newton, Hundred Waters, Jay Larson. Tavis Smiley: Judge Damon Keith. Conan O’Brien: Will Forte, Justin Willman, Mac DeMarco.