It’s about time somebody made a show based on the real life drama of a Midwestern truckstop, which buzzes with life alongside the highway in an otherwise sea of darkness.
“Truck Stop, Missouri” (Travel, 10 p.m.) looks at the doings at an operation just west of Columbia off Interstate 70 called he Midway Truck Plaza. In addition to gas, the place has a restaurant, bar, motel, fireworks stand and a tattoo parlor. If that’s not enough they sponsor their own events from zombie paintball to a bikini car wash.
Bob Woodruff revisits the 2006 blast that nearly killed him in Iraq and wonders whether the things he saw gave a glimpse of heaven. On “Primetime Nightline: Beyond Belief” (ABC, 10 p.m.), he explores the scientific possibility of the afterlife, by interviewing theologins, neurologists and others who have seen things from the beyond, such as Colton Burpo, the young Nebraska boy who inspired the bestseller “Heaven is for Real.”
There are only six dancers left on “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox, 8 p.m.), but it still takes two hours to watch them perform. Guest judges include Christina Applegate and choreographer Lil’ C.
With Daniele the head of household, and two other oldtimers up for eviction, the couple Brandon and Jordan, the power of veto competition is held on “Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Tommy’s 9/11 interview gets some controversy on “Rescue Me” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Another four acts advance on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.) and Jason Derulo sings.
Horseback riding to a waterfall is part of the romantic doings on “Love in the Wild” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
It’s the trip to New York in “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Patrick Warburton’s barn-turned-movie theatre is improved on a new “Hollywood Hi-Tech” (DIY, 9:30 p.m.).
A season finale comes for “Franklin & Bash” (TNT, 9 p.m.), which has been renewed for another year.
Shark Week swims on with “How Sharks Hunt” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) from Dave and Cody of “Dual Survival.”
Julie Benz guest stars on a new “Royal Pains” (USA, 9 p.m.).
Judd Hirsch is recruited to help Patty on “Damages” (DirecTV, 10 p.m.).
A sixth season starts for the home renovation money saving series “10 Grand in Your Hand” (DIY, 8:30 p.m.).
From Iceland comes a double feature from Baltasar Kormakur, “White Night Wedding” (Sundance, 10 p.m.) and “Jar City” (11:40 p.m.).
Bette Davis is the star of the day on Turner Classic Movies, where tonight’s films include., in prime time, “The Old Maid” (8 p.m.) and “Jezebel” (10 p.m.), followed by “The Corn is Green” (midnight), “The Catered Affair” (2 a.m.) and “John Paul Jones” (3:45 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Alexander Skarsgard, Melissa Joan Hart. The View: Jimmy Fallon,Vera Farmiga, Katie Couric. The Talk: Sugar Ray Leonard, Julie Benz. Ellen DeGeneres: Cast of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Darren Criss, Oliver Lewis (rerun). Wendy Williams: Tony Dovolani, La La Vazquez (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Emma Stone, Alan Mulally. Jay Leno: Jeremy Piven, KellyOsbourne, Mariachi El Bronx. Jimmy Kimmel: James Franco, Ian McMillan & Nicholas Goodfellow, Coldplay. Jimmy Fallon: Jason Bateman, Freida Pinto, Big Audio Dynamite. Craig Ferguson: Jean-Michel Cousteau. Tavis Smiley: Kenneth Branagh, Ice-T (rerun). Carson Daly: Alison Haislip, Joe Wright, Yelawold (rerun). Jon Stewart: Austan Goolsbee. Stephen Colbert: Robert Wittman. Conan O’Brien: Olivia Wilde, Novk Djokovic, Russell Howard. George Lopez: Adrian Grenier, Affion Crockett, Matt Nathanson. Chelsea Handler: Lisa Kudrow, Jo Koy, Heather McDonald, Brad Wollack.