Through all its travails, its poverty, its natural disasters, one thing has kept the country going through the years: its music.
Filmmaker Whitney Dow looks at the survival of a band that’s lasted more than 60 years in what is now the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. The 20 piecd Septentrional has had a number of musicians filter through over the years, bringing joy in a country ravaged by corruption and upheaval. “When Septen plays, I’m rich,” declares one fan, who says he’s no longer poor. The history of the island is told hand in hand with some wonderful music on “When the Drum is Beating” making its debut on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Nellie gets a good old Scranton welcome on “The Office” (NBC, 9 p.m.). Catherine Tate is one cast addition that may well work out.
Look for telltale signs of imminent behind the scenes Chevy Chase meltdown on “Community” (NBC, 9 p.m.) in which an old flame comes to visit Britta.
Somebody’s flung from “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) leaving an even six – unless judges wake up and exercise their save.
Switch over to a much younger Jennifer Lopez making her motion picture splash in “Selena” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.).
The clock continues to tick on one day-long scene of mayhem for Keifer Sutherland – oh, that was his old series. This one’s “Touch” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
One of Chris Elliott’s big jobs these days is as Marshal Monsanto on “Eagleheart” (Cartoon, midnight), which returns for a new season.
Yabba Dabba Do: “Sex in the Stone Age” (National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.) looks into an evolutionary mystery in southern Siberia.
Meryl Streep appears in “Before and After” (Flix, 8 p.m.) and “Death Becomes Her” (Cinemax, 8:30 p.m.).
Liza Minnelli is the star of the night on Turner Classic Movies with the 2010 interview “Private Screenings: Liza Minnelli” (TCM, 10 p.m.) showing amid her films “Arthur” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “New York, New York” (TCM, 11 p.m.), “The Sterile Cuckoo” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and in her mom’s “In the Good Old Summertime” (TCM, 4 a.m.) in which Liza appears in the final minutes, as a baby.
First round Stanley Cup playoff games tonight include Capitals at Bruins (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Sharks at Blues (CNBC, 7:30 p.m.), and Blackhawks at Coyotes (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
NBA action includes Heat at Bulls (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Mavericks at Warriors (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Laura Linney, Bradley Whitford, Chrissie Miller, Joel McHale. The View: Tina Fey, Shooter Jennings, Renee Graziano, Dr. Michael Fiorillo. The Talk: Edie Falco, Dr. Ian Smith, Khloe Kardashian Odom. Ellen DeGeneres: Maya Rudolph, Josh Bowman, Karmin.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Billy Crystal, Alabama Shakes. Jay Leno: Chris Diamantopoulos, Feist. Jimmy Kimmel: Danny McBride, Dianna Agron, the Shins. Jimmy Fallon: Tina Fey, John Slattery, David Chang. Craig Ferguson: Judd Apatow, Katherine Jenkins. Tavis Smiley: Rep. Xavier Becerra, David Treuer. Carson Daly: Guy Pearce, Lee Fields and the Expressions. Jon Stewart: Esperanza Spalding. Stephen Colbert: Ben Ratray. Conan O’Brien: Jim Gaffigan, Arctic Monkeys. Chelsea Handler: Chris Colfer, Jeff Wild, Arden Myrin, Brad Wollack.