An underlying American archetype for either the hero or the aggressor, George Armstrong Custer continues to reverberate in the culture. In the well-wrought portrait “Custer’s Last Stand” premiering tonight on “American Experience” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), his life as young hero of Gettysburg, whose adventures in the Black Hills would foreshadow the famous undoing of his Seventh Calvary in 1876, days after the country celebrated its centennial.
Custer’s strong relationship with his wife, bent on upping his profile, and his more strained relationships with his senior officers led to the massacre that killed more than 200, are both explored in the film. And unlike last week’s portrait of Billy the Kid, which had to keep returning to one known photo, Custer was photographed hundreds of times in some very unusual portraits.
On a new “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), examines whether America nuclear facilities could weather the kind of devastating damage of Japan’s Fukushima Diichi did following the Japanese earthquake last year.
Speaking of underrated crime sagas, “Southland” (TNT, 10 p.m.), the discarded network cop show that found a new life on cable, returns for its fourth season with a new cast member – Lucy Liu as a new parter for Michael Cudlitz’ character.
A third cable return at the same moment is the likable “White Collar” (USA, 10 p.m.)
In the new “Remodeled” (The CW, 9 p.m.), eccentric and often off-putting agent Paul Fisher travels to small modeling agencies in the country and kicks them into shape.
Dave Navarro hosts the new “Ink Master” (Spike, 10 p.m.), the inevitable reality competition among tattoo artists. Worried about the people who volunteer to be th canvases for the less talented among them.
NeNe Leakes of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” fame guest stars as a swimming coach on a new “Glee” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
The soon to be ubiquitous Niecy Nash trades place with Tina Yothers on “Celebrity Wife Swap” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Cancelled after just two episodes over the weekend, the dim cross-dressing comedy “Work It” is replaced by a second episode of “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 and 8:30 p.m.).
Blending fishing and redneck culture in one new reality show, here’s the “Ragin’ Cajuns” (Discovery, 10 p.m.), shrimp fishermen from Venice, La.
In college basketball, it’s Michigan State at Michigan (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Arkansas at Kentucky (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
In NHL action, it’s Predators at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Jessica Alba, Matt Bomer, Seth Meyers. The View: Liam Neeson. The Talk: Regina King, Suzanne Somers. Ellen DeGeneres: Steven Tyler, Timothy Olyphant. Wendy Williams: Kyla Pratt, Big Boy, Miss America Laura Kaeppeler. Rosie O’Donnell: NeNe Leakes.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ricky Gervais, Kathleen Edwards. Jay Leno: Sam Worthington, Sherri Shepherd, Adam Lambert. Jimmy Kimmel: Katherine Heigl, Ne-Yo, Grouplove. Jimmy Fallon: Kyra Sedgwick, Ndamukong Suh, Outasight. Craig Ferguson: Colin Firth. Tavis Smiley: Remaking America, Part 2. Carson Daly: Game, Melanie Pullen, Thievery Corporation (rerun). Jon Stewart: Liam Neeson. Stephen Colbert: Jennifer Grandholm. Conan O’Brien: Antonio Banderas, Fred Armisen, Blake Mills. Chelsea Handler: Kim Wayans, Natasha Leggero, Josh Wolf, Greg Fitzsimmons.