There is more events on TV saluting Veteran’s Day tonight than there have ever been in recent years. That’s what 13 years of war will tend to do.
The biggest event is the three hour “The Concert for Valor” (HBO, 7 p.m.) broadcast live from the National Mall in D.C. with Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, The Black Keys, Metallica, Dave Grohl, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and the Zac Brown. Can’t imagine that even the biggest stars will be able to perform more than a few songs. Live on stage to introduce them will be Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Jamie Foxx, George Lope, John Oliver and Bob Woodruff, with special taped messages coming in from the likes of Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.
HBO is unscrambling its signal for the event to allow non subscribers to watch (though it’s up to local cable providers to follow through) and it will be streamed online at www.theconcertforvalor.com. iHeart radio will also broadcast the audio. And it repeats immediately at 10 p.m. on HBO.
“Navy Seals – Their Untold Story” (PBS, 9 p.m.) lifts the veil of secrecy on the commandoes in a documentary narrated by Gary Sinise. And the special “The Man Who Killed Usama Bin Laden” (Fox News, 10 p.m.) looks at just one Navy SEAL, Robert O’Neill.
For a younger audience, the documentary “Got Your 6” (MTV, 5 p.m.) looks at recently returned veterans from Afghanistan and the support systems around them.
It’s a good day to debut “Dogs of War” (A&E, 10 p.m.) a new series about the shelter dogs in the program Paws and Stripes, who have been paired with PTSD affected returned veterans.
And Veteran’s Day is the theme on Turner Classic Movies, with “The Fighting Sullivans” (8 p.m.), “Pride of the Marines” (10 p.m.), “Patton” (12:15 a.m.), “The Wings of Eagles” (3:15 a.m.) and “The Story of G.I. Joe” (5:15 a.m.).
But some programming tonight doesn’t quite fit with the holiday, as on “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.) where an explosion shows that a general has been experimenting on his men to turn them into super soldiers.
A documentary on a different subject, “The Real Death Valley” (The Weather Channel, 9 p.m.) looks at the stark deserts where hundreds of migrants have died over the past five years evading a Texas checkpoint 70 miles north of the border. Interesting programming from a channel that would be otherwise advising on snowfall from the November polar vortex.
The long and complicated history of former wide receiver Randy Moss is recounted in a film called “Rand University” on “30 for 30” (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
Catch it while you can: “Selfie” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is the fourth new fall show to be cancelled. Like most of the others, it will be allowed to show the rest of its initial order of 13 episodes.
Pancake flipping is part of the challenge on “MasterChef Junior” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Deepak Chopra, Sally Field and Sting all find connections to the British empire on a new “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
What will Mindy do when she sees Danny’s mother (Rhea Perlman) shoplift on “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
Basketball tonight includes Orlando at Toronto (NBA, 7:30 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Buffalo at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
College football has Toledo at Northern Illinois (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and Akron at Buffalo (ESPNU, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Alicia Keys, Andy Cohen, Shawn Mendes. The View: Darby Stanchfield, Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, Lea Thompson. Ellen DeGeneres: Bill Clinton, Pitbull. Wendy Williams: Rhea Perlman. Meredith Vieira: Jeff Daniels, Nico & Vinz. Queen Latifah: Wanda Sykes, Todd Chrisley.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Steve Carell, OK Go. Jimmy Fallon: Drew Barrymore, the Farrelly Brothers, Johnny Marr. Jimmy Kimmel: Christoph Waltz, Aubrey Plaza. Seth Meyers: David Hyde Pierce, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Matt Jones. Craig Ferguson: Valerie Bertinelli, James Oswald. Carson Daly: Robin Lord Taylor, the So So Glos, Steven Johnson. Tavis Smiley: Smokey Robinson. Jon Stewart: Amb. Samantha Power. Stephen Colbert: Diane Von Furstenberg. Conan O’Brien: Cast of “Sons of Anarcny,” First Aid Kit.