By the time the 50th anniversary comes around in less than three weeks, we ought to have solved the JFK assassination, the way documentaries are popping out night by night.
There’s two tonight, both on PBS. The first, on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m.) does the kind of extensive experimental recreations that “Mythbusters” are known for. In this case, a bullet goes through blocks of wood to see if it could penetrate a lot of surfaces and still come out pristine, as the fabled “magic bullet” did.
Then, coming under the unfortunate program name “Secrets of the Dead” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), there’s a good overview of the news coverage of the assassination, particularly that of CBS, whose Walter Cronkite is so often used declaring the time of death and taking a gulp as he fusses with his oversized glasses, you would think nobody else reported on it.
As the film points out, NBC beat him to the air with it, but Cronkite gets praise for pausing to get it right. Dan Rather is used in the special (though CBS won’t be using him for its coverage apparently) as are Bob Schieffer, Marvin Kalb and Bill Clinton. And it’s narrated by George Clooney, possibly because of the “Good Night and Good Luck” connection with the CBS News history.
If you want to see Clooney, too, tonight, his 2007 “Michael Clayton” (TV Guide Network, 8:30 p.m.) is also on.
It’s tough to lampoon reality shows that are absurd to start with, but “Burning Love” (E!, 10:30 p.m.) comes pretty close. Ken Marino returns to star in the second season of the show, written by his wife Erica Oyama, with a reliable cast of guest stars that include Kristen Bell, Michael Cera, Adam Scott, Natasha Leggero, Ben Still, Kick Krol, Paul Scheer and Seth Rogan.
They’re doing culinary musical chairs on “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
The 20th wedding anniversary plans of Phil and Claire naturally get crossed on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Curious to see how Cordelia’s fertility ritual turns out on “American Horror Story: Coven” (FX, 10 p.m.).
The month-long, Wednesday night spotlight on Burt Lancaster continues on Turner Classic Movies with “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” (8 p.m.), “Sweet Smell of Success” (10:15 p.m.), “Elmer Gantry” (midnight), “Seven Days in May” (2:30 a.m.) and “His Majesty O’Keefe” (4:45 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Naomi Watts, Evan Rachel Wood, Dima Shine. The View: Trisha Yearwood, the Rascals, Bellamy Young. The Talk: Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, Eddie Cibrian, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Melissa De Sousa, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Matt Lauer, Kellie Pickler. Wendy Williams: Perri “Pebbles” Reid, Thea Andrews, Dr. Ian Drew.
Late Talk: Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Matthews. Jay Leno: Bill Cosby, Chris Pratt, Gary Allan. Jimmy Kimmel: ray Romano, Eddie Cibrian, the Killers. Jimmy Fallon: Ice-T, Thomas Rhett. Craig Ferguson: Kaley Cuoco, Kellie Pickler. Carson Daly: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, the Melodic, Tame Impala. Tavis Smiley: Oliver Stone. Jon Stewart: Key & Peele. Stephen Colbert: Blind Boys of Alabama. W. Kamau Bell: Dr. Yama Blay. Arsenio Hall: Anthony Hopkins, Melissa Joan Hart, RZA. Conan O’Brien: Will Arnet, Jim Gaffigan, M.I.A. Chelsea Handler: Tim Allen, James Davis, Heather McDonald, Matt Braunger. Pete Holmes: Rory Scovel, Rachel Maddow.