The connection between man and fish are the skull and spine, says paleobiologist Neil Shubin. It was Darwin who said that fish crawled to land to begin evolution into mammal, but he never had the proof. Shubin went to go find the fossil proof and did, showing his results in his bestselling book and a fascinating series called “Your Inner Fish” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Blending clever use of animation with Shubin’s own enthusiasm (and unlimited travel budget), it’s rather like a “Cosmos” into human history and kicks off a three part series that makes science compelling.
It caps an exceptional night of science programming that may jolt the brain such that you wonder why you even dull it with all the other stuff on TV. A heartwarming episode of “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m.) makes the case for making prosthetics for animals — because we can. So two legged dogs and pigs can have mobility, so an alligator can swim again, a swan can eat and preen, and so a pony can inspire love in differently abled children.
In between, a new “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) teaches crows who already have the ability to use tools even more complex skills (soon they may be taking human jobs).
You’d think that Itchy & Scratchy would have long since made them obsolete, but animation’s original cat and mouse team returns in “The Tom and Jerry Show” (Cartoon Network, 5:30 p.m.). The two look very much the same as they did in their scores of cartoons dating back to 1940 and so does their schtick: with one chasing the other. Some of the supporting cast is back, too, from the bulldog and mouse defender Spike to the headless human pet owners. But a second episode involves the Witch Sisters and a magic wand.
As in his former comedy, “Reaper,” Tyler Labine returns to play a medium dealing with the unfinished business of ghosts on the new comedy “Deadbeat” (Hulu Plus, streaming) that starts today. Cat Deeley, the “So You Think You Can Dance” host who previously showed her comic chops on “Life is Short,” is part of the cast as a paranormal communicator. Guests in the episodes include Samantha Bee, Darrell Hammond and Jason Biggs.
The Top 8 sing from the songbook of their parents (or maybe grandparents) with hits from the 80s on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
It was “The X Factor,” not “Idol” that discovered Susan Boyle, whose challenges with Asperger’s syndrome, which she discovered last year, are recounted in the special “Susan Boyle: Her Secret Struggle” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.).
A mad dash for hidden immunity idols occurs on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The new “Women of Homicide” (TLC, 9 p.m.), three female detectives look into murder cases. It precedes another new crime series, “Cyber Stalkers” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
Computers were not as big a part of surveillance and counter-surveillance in the ’80s, but they did their best on “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.),in which it comes up.
Don’t confuse hungers and killers; specifically, “Toy Hunter” (Travel, 9 p.m.) and “The Toyman Killer” (LMN, 8 p.m.).
Contestants dress as men to show their versatility and confuse the home audience on “The Face” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.).
Fan-chosen movies on Turner Classic Movies tonight are “Waterloo Bridge” (8 p.m.), “The Philadelphia Story” (10 p.m.), “Went the Day Well?” (midnight), “12 Angry Men” (1:45 a.m.) and “Trial” (3:30 a.m.).
NBA action includes Heat at Grizzlies (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Thunder at Clippers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Red Wings at Penguins (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Sharks at Ducks (NBC Sports Network, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball today includes Astros at Blue Jays (ESPN2, 7 p.m.),
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Perry. The View: Kathy Griffin, Ronnie Dunn, Elizabeth Vargas. The Talk: Joan Collins, Michael Cimarusti. Ellen DeGeneres: Guillermo Diaz, Rob Lowe. Wendy Williams: Miss Piggy, Dr. Robi Ludwig, Jennifer Hutt (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Edwards, Real Estate. Jimmy Fallon: Jennifer Garner, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Stevie Nicks. Jimmy Kimmel: Kate Upton, Cole Hauser, Neon Trees. Seth Meyers: Denis Leary, Thomas Middleditch, Fitz and the Tantrums. Craig Ferguson: Sharon Osbourne, Tony Kanaan. Carson Daly: Wally Pfister, Jake Bugg, A Silver of Light. Tavis Smiley: Frank Langella. Jon Stewart: Colin Firth. Stephen Colbert: Sheryl Sandberg. Arsenio Hall: Tracy Morgan, Nick Cannon. Conan O’Brien: Andy Garcia, Jenna Elfman, Ingrid Michaelson. Chelsea Handler: Sebastian Stan, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Dustin Ybarra, Heather McDonald. Pete Holmes: Jay Larson, Ryan Sickler.