There’s a number of ways PBS could approach a series about the Constitution. They could have Ken Burns do it with black and white pictures and old timey music. Or Bill Moyers taking a serious contemporary progressive look.
Instead, they got the host of NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” Peter Sagal, who takes the opportunity to travel the nation on a motorcycle decorated with stripes and stars and the words “We the People.” He’s two degrees from being “Captain America” in “Easy Rider.”
So a lot of the initial episode of “Constitution USA” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) is spent with him getting the right look for his motorcycle trip. Once on the road, he visits familiar territory, except that his second amendment segment ignores the recent reignited debate (having been shot before Newtown and maybe before Aurora too).
There’s interesting information here, but who exactly is this show for? High school civics classes (there is very basic information about the makeup of Congress) or Tea Party advocates of states’ rights? (an obscure Supreme Court case gets a lot of attention). At least there isn’t a quiz.
I’ve been skeptical of TED talks. They’re a little too much like self-help speeches, followed too religiously by advocates, and rely a little too much on power point. The phenomenon, big online, now moves to TV with “TED Talks Education” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
John Legend, of all people, hosts the event, introducing speakers and eventually singing one song. The participants are mostly educators with simple messages: Be passionate, standardized tests are bad, students have to like you if they’re going to learn from you, and there should be a way to have teachers get better (that’s from Bill Gates).
They scrimp a bit on the power point, and there’s something surfacy about all talk and no interaction. Still, this is a format that people pay attention to and may catch a few more viewers than a regular panel discussion, though it has the look of one of those pledge time speeches on finance or feeling good.
It’s amazing “Hart of Dixie” (The CW, 8 p.m.) has lasted long enough to have a second season finale. With Dr. Zoe Hart jetting back from Alabama to New York City, you might think there won’t be a third season (but there will).
It’s the first finale for “Splash” (ABC, 8 p.m.), the celebrity diving competition that has had as many stars quit as be eliminated by judges. The three in tonight’s finale are Nicole Eggert, Drake Bell and extreme skier Rory Bushfield, who would seem to have the edge, but he ruptured his eardrum in the second week. The show has been renewed for a second season next year.
The town of Centennial Park, Ariz., open up their lifestyle to reality cameras in the new series Polygamy Town” National Geographic, 9 p.m.), the latest in a number of shows there that peek into communities people may be curious about, such as “Amish: Out of Order” (National Geographic, 8 p.m.).
In the new “I Hate My Yard” (DIY, 10 p.m.), homeowners just sit around and cuss their lawns. No, actually they try to do something about it.
Rob Reiner returns as Jess’s dad on “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.) and he doesn’t initially get along with Nick. Bill Hader gust stars on “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) as an ex with an eyebrow ring.
Colin Hanks plays a guest investigator on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The teams of Blake Shelton and Shakira perform live for votes on another two hour episode of “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.). The surviving Top 12 will be announced Wednesday.
Jason Derulo and Emili Sande perform before another dancer is cut from “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.). The one with the lowest scores this week was Bachelor Sean Lowe.
“Inside Amy Schumer” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) interviews a stripper; the star of “Tosh 2.0” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) turns down prom invitations.
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) hosts a quinceanera party.
“Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) lends itself to a quarrelsome reunion show, part one of shich is tonight. Even more fights are promised on the reunion show for “The Bad Girls Club” (Oxygen, 8 p.m.), so it’s the first of three episodes.
Turner Classic Movies begins a month-long, 16-film, Tuesday night showcase on tough guys with “The Asphalt Jungle” (8 p.m.), “Crossfire” (10 p.m.), “Out of the Past” (11;30 p.m.), “Out of the Fog” (1:45 a.m.), “Naked City” (3:15 a.m.) and “Hideaway” (5 a.m.).
Tonight’s Elvis movie is “Speedway” (Encore, 8 p.m.).
NHL playoffs tonight include Pittsburgh at Islanders (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.), Montreal at Ottawa (CNBC, 7 p.m.), Chicago at Minnesota (NBC Sports, 9:30 p.m.) and Vancouver at San Jose (CNBC, 10 p.m.). In the world hockey championships, it’s Russia vs. United States (NBC Sports, 1 p.m.).
NBA playoff games include Indiana at New York (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Memphis at Oklahoma City (TNT, 9:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Zooey Deschanel, Zachary Quinto. The View: George Lopez, 98 Degrees, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, Mindy Kaling. The Talk: Edie Falco, Carnie Wilson. Ellen DeGeneres: Lauren Graham, Lady Antebellum.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Zooey Deschanel, Jim Gaffigan, Pistol Annies, Todd Rundgren. Jay Leno: Lauren Graham, Ken Jeong, Patty Griffin. Jimmy Kimmel: Robert Downey Jr., Simon Pegg, Goo Goo Dolls. Jimmy Fallon: John Krasinski, Eli Roth, the Breeders. Craig Ferguson: Ryan Seacrest, Andrea Osvart. Carson Daly: Kal Penn, Shane Carruth, the Neighbourhood. Tavis Smiley: Carol Burnett. Jon Stewart: Mindy Kaling. Stephen Colbert: Douglas Rushkoff. Conan O’Brien: Edie Falco, Marc Maron, Iron & Wine. Chelsea Handler: Michael Buble, John Caparulo, Jen Kirkman, Brody Stevens.