What seems bad in recent years has actually been around since the invention of the automobile, as chronicled in the new two hour documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). The film by Ric Burns and historian Gretchen Sorin chronicles the promises of the auto for personal mobility and the hazards of doing so for Blacks, from the Depression through the Civil Rights movement to the late 1960s. Key to mobility was the guidance of The Green Book travel guide meant for African Americans.
It comes after the season premiere of “Finding Your Roots” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), in which Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. looks into the genealogy of fashionistas Diane von Furstenberg, Narcissi Rodriguez and RuPaul Charles.
“The Bachelorette” (ABC, 8 p.m.) begins a strange, quarantined season, delayed from its March premiere and shot entirely at a La Quinta in Palm Springs in July. Clare Crawley, who at 39, is the oldest Bachelorette, is returning to the franchise for the fourth time, and gets to choose from 31 hopefuls. Word is that she makes her choice way too early in the process. Or maybe she just wanted to escape lockdown.
Things are likely to heat up at the Senate Confirmation Hearings (CSPAN, 9 a.m.) as questioning begins for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
In the new series “The Cabin with Bert Kreishcher” (Netflix, streaming), the bearish comic decides to retreat to the country to chill out, and invites fellow comics to join him, including Anthony Anderson, Nikki Glaser, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Lee and Joel McHale.
Two more films premiere in the Welcome to Blumhouse series of horror movies by diverse voices on Amazon prime. “Evil Eye” (Amazon, streaming) concerns a woman’s concern for a daughter’s impending marriage in New Orleans, based on playwright Madhuri Shekar’s audio drama. Marita Choudhury stars.
Zu Quirke’s “Nocturne” (Amazon, streaming), a thriller set in a very competitive music school, stars Sydney Sweeney and Madison Iseman.
Darien Santana hosts “Struggle Gourmet” (Fuse, 11:30 p.m.), in which celebrities try out basic meals from ramen to PB&J and compares them to gourmet versions.