I was about the age of my daughter when I witnessed the amazing fall of Richard Nixon, through the Watergate hearings and finally to his historic resignation as president 40 years ago this month. So it was interesting to get her take on it as his career is trotted out in the new documentary “Nixon by Nixon: In His Own Words” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
In it, we hear his own take on his career, from some late in life discussion (with David Frost) and some highlights of his administration including opening up relations with China and Russia. But it is scarred, like his presidency by his paranoia and hatred and twisted sense of persecution. It was emblematic in Watergate, in which it was clear he directly ordered not only covered up, but also his racism, sexism and raging anti-Semitism — all caught on tape he installed himself for history.
With the last of the transcriptions only recently made available, here’s your history: the kind of nut case you wouldn’t want running your corner store, let alone your nation. And not only is he mean and venal, he’s dumb: did he forget every epithet and curse was being recorded?
Well, try as he might filmmaker Peter Kunhardt tries to put the Nixon era in perspective, but there’s no getting around that stain.
Having found myself in an elevator recently with Kelsey Grammer, I asked for the elevator pitch for his new sitcom “Partners” (FX, 9 and 9:30 p.m.). “It’s like ‘The Odd Couple’,” he said. Though instead of being the fastidious Felix, he’s more the sloppy Oscar opposite Martin Lawrence. The sitcom itself proves that he’s sloppy in morals — playing an attorney who lies and says awful things, and is only concerned about money; Lawrence is the one who takes the pro bono cases. What he didn’t say is that it’s just awful, from top to bottom, as well. In that sense, though, it’s a good fit with the network’s other terrible sitcom, “Anger Managment” (FX, 10 and 10:30 p.m.).
It’s purgatory for the program known as “The Bachelor.” Those who didn’t win are invited to take part in the exotic locale for “Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC, 8 p.m.), a summertime spinoff whose rules, like those on “Bachelor Pad,” aren’t exactly clear. How can it possibly be two hours long?
America is the only country in the world that imprisons children until their death, according to the eye-opening film from Nadine Pequeneza that concentrates on one of them. “15 to Life: Kenneth’s Story” follows the attempt of a young man who had been sentenced at 15 for armed burglary to have a chance to get out of jail after a decade of incarceration, most of it in solitary confinement. It has its TV premiere tonight on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
In addition to his late, late talk show, Seth Meyers has also produced a second season of his animated superhero spoof “The Awesomes” (Hulu, streaming) that unloads all 10 of its new episodes today. Meyers is joined by voices of Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Ike Barinholtz, Rashida Jones and, new to the series, Will Forte.
Hope they don’t make Ben Stiller take his shirt off like they did last week on the premiere of “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
A dust storm “Under the Dome” (CBS, 10 p.m.) might make it look like a dirty snow globe.
On the new “Nowhere to Hide” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.), New York investigator Steven Rambam recounts some of his case, which are dutifully recreated.
Gordon Ramsey tries to turn around the Applegate River Lodge in Oregon on “Hotel Hell” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Earlier, the 11 remaining contestants on “MasterChef” (Fox, 8 p.m.) must choose ingredients from a mystery box.
More agreeable fare may come from the chefs making ice cream flavors on “King of Cones” (Food Network, 8 p.m.).
It’s Judy Garland all day on Turner Classic Movies, but no “Wizard of Oz.” There is, however, “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (6 a.m.), “Girl Crazy” (8 a.m.), “Meet Me in St. Louis” (10 a.m.), “The Pirate” (noon), “Easter Parade” (2 p.m.), “In the Good Old Summertime” (4 p.m.), “Summer Stock” (6 p.m.), “Strike Up the Band” (8 p.m.), “The Clock” (10:15 p.m.), “A Star is Born” (midnight), “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry” (3 a.m.) and “Gay Purr-ee” (4:30 a.m.).
Baseball today includes San Francisco at Mets (MLB, noon) and Detroit at Yankees (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Daniel Radcliffe, Nina Dobrev, Maria Menounos. The View: Clive Owen, Josh Henderson, Nicolle Wallace & Kayleigh McEnany. The Talk: Dean Cain, Keke Palmer, Candace Nelson, Marie Osmond. Ellen DeGeneres: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Jane Lynch, Jake Bugg (rerun). Wendy Williams: Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, “Mama June” Shannon (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Olivia Wilde, Shep Gordon, Empires (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Helen Mirren, James Cameron, Spoon. Jimmy Kimmel: Kim Kardashian, Damon Wayans Jr., Jake Johnson, Disclosure. Seth Meyers: Joan Rivers, Josh Meyers, Rixton. Craig Ferguson: Guy Pearce, Andi Osho. Carson Daly: Band of Skulls, the Burning of Rome (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Angela Lansbury (rerun). Jon Stewart: Elisabeth Moss. Stephen Colbert: Pat Buchanan, John W. Dean. Arsenio Hall: Wayne Brady, Aisha Tyler, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles, Penn Jillett, Hot Chelle Ray (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Cast of ‘Orange is the New Black,” Nikki Black. Chelsea Handler: Leah Remini, Heather McDonald, Jeff Wild, Ryan Stout.