There have been as many recent documentaries about Mars and how much we’ve learned about it in recent years as there have been successful fictional films about it, such as last year’s “The Martian.” The ambitious new six-part “Mars” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) hopes to blend the two together.
The project, produced in part by Ron Howard, lends Hollywood effects and a cast of actors to a story about an attempt in 2033 to visit and live on the red planet.
It’s rooted in the latest scientific research and exploration, with comments from experts that include NASA officials and Neil de Grasse Tyson. And the scientists in the fiction don’t look all that different than Elon Musk (who also appears).
It comes alongside the rebooted “Explorer” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.), hosted by Richard Bacon.
Very long in the making, the multipart “Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) is one of the few music documentaries on a subject this wide (the recording studio) to be so incisive and entertaining. Episode one swings from George Martin and his work with the Beatles, to Dr. Dre’s building of a hip hop empire and Rick Rubin’s approach to Johnny Cash late in his career. Dozens of artists and noted producers chime in on the series, which will run all week.
Max Lekowicz’s documentary “Underwire: The Untold Story of Pfc. Tony Vaccaro” (HBO, 8 p.m.) shows some of the 8,000 images the combat infantryman took while on the front lines of World War II.
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) explores the country’s empathy failure.
Ozzie gets a visit from his former boss on “People of Earth” (TBS, 9 p.m.).
Rick Ross and Ashley Graham are guests at “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” (VH1, 10 p.m.).
In the new “Close to the Enemy” (Acorn, streaming), Jim Sturgess plays a british intelligence officer during World War II trying to lure a German scientist, August Diehl, to help build a British jet. Te cast includes Alfred Molina, Angela Bassett, Freddie Highmore and Alfie Allen.
It’s already the semifinals on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Garth Brooks pops up as adviser as the Top 12 begin their live performances on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
There’s a lot of stabbing going on on “Lucifer” (Fox, 9 p.m.), on an episode titled “Trip to Stabby Town.”
The team on “Scorpion” (CBS, 10 p.m.) travel to Ireland for a memorial.
At a time when we could use the crew on “Timeless” (NBC, 10 p.m.) right now, they go back to Nixon’s Watergate days.
Michael and Rafael don’t make good friends on “Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Kevin tries bartending on “Kevin Can Wait” (CBS, 8 p.m.) and “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 9 p.m.) are going to bartending school too.
On “Supergirl” (The CW, 8 p.m.), the Guardian makes his debut in National City.
Ivy reveals her identity to Selina and Bruce on “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Race is the issue on “Conviction” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Man with a Plan” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) has been given a full-season order, which is strange, since all he does in tonight’s episode is clean the garage.
Women! They’re such trouble! So says Fox News brass (and apparently, voters). So in the place of Greta van Susteren, who left in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against Roger Ailes, here’s her smug, bow-tied replacement. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Fox, 7 p.m.) stars the editor of the right wing Daily Caller. What, nobody from Brietbart was available?
Farrah and her mom get in a big fight on “Teen Mom OG” (MTV, 9 p.m.). So what else is new?
“Love & Hip Hop Hollywood” (VH1, 8 p.m.) winds up its reunion.
The documentary series on Turner Classic movies continues with “The Sorrow and the Pity” (8 p.m.), “Night and Fog” (12:30 a.m.), “Nanook of the North” (1:15 a.m.), “Grass” (2:45 a.m.), “Chang” (4:15 a.m.), “Manhatta” (5:20 a.m.) and “Lumier’s First Picture Shows (1895-1897)” (5:45 a.m.).
Monday Night Football has Cincinnati at Giants (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball has Binghamton at St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.), Albany at Cincinnati (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Buffalo at Javier (CBS Sorts, 7 p.m.), Howard at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 8:45 p.m.), North Carolina Central at Ohio State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Princeton at BYU (ESPN2, 10 p.m.) and San Diego State at Gonzaga (ESPN2, midnight).
Women’s games include Connecticut at Florida State (ESPN2, 6 p.m.) and Texas at Stanford (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Aaron Eckhart, Ali Wentworth, Ming Tsai, Billy Gardell. The View: Sen. Bernie Sanders. The Talk: Regis Philbin, Kit Hoover, Robbie Amell. Harry Connick: Blair Underwood, Josh Flagg, Josh Altman, James Harris, David Parnes. Ellen DeGeneres: Diane Keaton, David Blaine, James Charles. Wendy Williams: Melissa Garcia. The Real: Simone Missick, Monica.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Eddie Redmayne, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Alton Brown, Chris Thile. Jimmy Kimmel: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Eichner, Dawes. Jimmy Fallon: Billy Bob Thornton, Andy Cohen, Little Big Town. Seth Meyers: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Dockers, Margo Price, Atom Willard. James Corden: Gina Rodriguez, Irina Menzel. Carson Daly: Thandie Newton, Caspian, Eliza Bennett. Trevor Noah: Nate Silver, Adrien Grenier. Conan O’Brien: Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Early, the Head and the Heart.