In the new series “How We Got to Now” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), author Steven Johnson brings his interesting book to the screen, telling the story of civilization through the most unorthodox avenues, by following the development of clean streets, air conditioning and the development of standardized time zones.
It’s that time of year: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), just about the only show from 1966 seen as still viable for network prime time. It comes alongside the return of a Halloween episode that’s nearly as good, “Toy Story of Terror” (ABC, 8 p.m.) using the Pixar characters.
A new season starts for “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) with the competition set in Boston and the 16 chefs immediately engaging in the sudden death quick fire challenge. Richard Blais joins judges Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Hugh Acheson and Padma Lakshmi.
A new episode of “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks at animal misfits, from a teeny chameleon to the proverbial fish out of water.
Mold has invaded the Dunphy house, so they have to move into a hotel on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.), and Manny starts dating.
John Rocker was voted off “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) last week and briefly, the show is menace-free.
Last night’s episode of “The Flash” (The CW, 9 p.m.), a huge ratings hit, returns tonight alongside a new episode of the show that spawned it, “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
Dre plays mom for a week on “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
The month-long Wednesday night salute to Janet Leigh continues with “The Naked Spur” (8 p.m.), “Scaramouche” (10 p.m.), “It’s a Big Country” (midnight), “Safari” (1:45 a.m.), “Fearless Fagan” (3:30 a.m.) and “Just This Once” (5 a.m.).
Thandie Newton and Anika Noni Rose star in a love story of 1960s colonial Africa, “Half of a Yellow Sun” (Starz, 8:05 p.m.) with Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is also on tonight in another period piece from 120 years earlier, the Oscar winning “12 Years a Slave” (HBO2, 11 p.m.).
Two more playoff games tonight, both at game 4, could each wind up their pennant race, Baltimore at Kansas City (MLB, 4 p.m.) and St. Louis at San Francisco (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Hockey includes Buffalo at Carolina (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Preseason basketball has the morning game of Brooklyn vs. Sacramento (NBA, 7:30 a.m.) from Bejing and Indiana at Cleveland (NBA, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Emma Stone, Suzanne Somers, Neon Trees, Josh Groban. The View: Gloria Estefan, Nicole Richie. The Talk: William H. Macy, Jaymes Vaughan, Frank Pellegrino Jr. Ellen DeGeneres: Heidi Klum, Phaedra Parks. Wendy Williams: Josh Duhamel. Meredith Vieira: Dane Cook, Keke Palmer. Queen Latifah: Terry Bradshaw, Maria Bello.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bill Murray, Foo Fighters. Jimmy Fallon: Shailene Woodley, Michael Shannon, Eric Church, Lenny Pickett. Jimmy Kimmel: Chris O’Dowd, Selena Gomez, Kasabian. Seth Meyers: Artie Lange, Nicole Richie, Royal Blood. Craig Ferguson: Zoe Saldana, T.J. Miller. Carson Daly: Franz Ferdinand, Ted Melfi. Tavis Smiley: Leon Panetta. Jon Stewart: Bill O’Reilly. Stephen Colbert: Justin Simien. Conan O’Brien: Chelsea Handler, Nicholas Hoult, Gerard Way.