cubs1908The distance between the two cities is just 345 miles and one Great Lake. But the more telling showdown in the World Series is the amount of years it’s been since either team has won — for one it’s been 68 years; for the other 108.

So the showdown of Chicago at Cleveland (Fox, 8 p.m.) is more than a Midwestern showdown in the final set of games before baseball shuts down for the winter, but one meant to beat down old myths and curses as well.

Cleveland is a city of sports riches tonight: In addition to the series, it will see the unveiling its NBA Championship banner tonight as the basketball  season begins with New York at Cleveland (TNT, 7:30 p.m.) followed by San Antonio at Golden Gate (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).

The long life of the creator of game-changing television of the 1970s with “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons,” “Maude” and more, who later became a progressive activist, is profiled in “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You” on “American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).

Adam Conover turns his attention to this year’s politics in “The Adam Ruins Everything Election Special” (truTV, 10 p.m.).

The two major parties’ only female vice presidential candidates, Sarah Palin and  Geraldine Ferraro on “The Contenders” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).

It’s all about Halloween on “The Middle” (ABC, 9 p.m.), “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 9 p.m.) and “The Real O’Neals” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).

Westport has a zombie run on “American Housewife” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).

But it’s a whole different holiday on “Atlanta” (FX, 10 p.m.) — Juneteenth.

The new series “Dead Silent” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.) looks at crimes in desolate areas, starting with a Virginia campsite.

It’s accompanied with another new series, “Married with Secrets” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.).

On “True Life” (MTV, 9 p.m.) two young men plan to join the Kurdish independent militia to fight ISIS in Syria.

The biggest threat to “Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After?” (Freeform, 8 p.m.) is that old bachelors keep turning up. Tonight, Chad Johnson. Find some new friends.

The creator of Bikram Yoga is interviewed on a new “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.).

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC, 10 p.m.) infiltrate a high security prison.

A plane crashes in the bayou on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).

Spring has finally come on “Life Below Zero” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).

Natural disasters threaten “Yellowstone: Brink of Disaster” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).

The story of Charles Ponzi is retold on a new “Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.).

“Bull” (CBS, 9 p.m.) defends the finance of a murdered socialite.

The Pittsburgh Steelers tackle the hearts of “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.).

A kidnapped petty officer escapes on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).

Knockouts continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).

Danika Patrick is guest judge on “Chopped Junior” (Food, 8 p.m.).

The Mirror Master shows up on “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.).

Emily goes out with Ben on “Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).

Turner Classic Movies’ series on trailblazing Hollywood women focuses on those who have been outstanding philanthropists, with Audrey Hepburn in  “Wait Until Dark” (8 p.m.), Elizabeth Taylor in “Giant” (10 p.m.), Doris Day in “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1:30 a.m.), and Debbie Reynolds in “The Tender Trap” (3:30 a.m.).

Hockey has Buffalo at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Anaheim at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).

Daytime Talk

Kelly Ripa: John Lithgow, Phil Collins, Tyler Glenn, Michael Buble. The View: Dana Perino, Will Forte. The Talk: Bryce Dallas Howard, Kevin Frazier. Harry Connick: Chrissy Metz, Jamie Lee Curtis. Ellen DeGeneres: Vince Vaughn, Priyanka Chopra, Joseph. Wendy Williams: Nicole Byer. The Real: D.B. Woodside, Tom Ellis, Rocco DiSpirito, Cynthia Bailey.

Late Talk

Stephen Colbert: Will Forte, Dermot Mulroney, Wyatt Cenac, Mitski. Jimmy Kimmel: Gordon Ramsay, Felicity Jones, Jimmy Eat World. Jimmy Fallon: Ethan Hawke, Phil Collins. Seth Meyers: Antonio Brown, Graydon Carter, Pete Davidson, Lucius. James Corden: Matt LeBlanc, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lady Gaga. Carson Daly: Cobie Smulders, Bomba Estereo, Skylar Astin. Trevor Noah: Dana Bash. Conan O’Brien: Ron Howard, Wayne Gretzky, D.R.A.M.