Besides being a virtuoso with a violin, Jascha Heifetz was also something of a camera bug. His home movies go back as far as just before the Russian Revolution to nearly the end of his life in the 1980s. So an “American Masters” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) includes documentation of his immigration to America, travels to Europe and conquering every stage in the world. Danny Burstein narrates “Jascha Heifetz: God’s Fiddler,” the bio film by Peter Rosen that also includes interviews with Itzhak Perlman, Ivry Gitlis, Ida Haendel and Ayke Agus. Many PBS stations will show it Friday instead.
Two other documentaries tonight cover very different areas of art and commerce.
“Atari: Game Over” (Showtime, 8:30 p.m.), from “X-Men: The Last Stand” screenwriter Zak Penn, looks into the development of the failed “E.T.” video game and tries to find out, once and for all, whether returned copies were really buried in a New Mexico landfill.
Sonny Vaccaro, the sports marketing executive credited for tying basketball to sneaker sales when he signed Michael Jordan with Nike, is profiled on “Sole Man,” a documentary in the “30 for 30” (ESPN, 9 p.m.) series.
Louis rather desperately seeks a bathroom on “Louie” (FX, 10:30 p.m.).
Bonding seems to be a problem between Billy and Josh on “The Comedians” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Annie Verschling guest stars on “The Vampire Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.) as Stefan’s protective mother.
“Reign” (The CW, 9 p.m.) returns from hiatus and Clarissa returns to the scene as Francis falls ill.
There’s a plane crash with multiple casualties on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 8 p.m.). But the B613 they’re trying to shoot down on “Scandal” (ABC, 9 p.m.) is not a plane at all. Aubry is asked to testify against Carter on “American Crime” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The host of “Somebody’s Gotta Do It with Mike Rowe” (CNN, 9 p.m.) learns about ice sculpting. Which, again, is something nobody really has to do.
The season for “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” (TLC, 9 p.m.) ends with hope for the future at the Cupid’s Ball.
John Krasinski dons a metallic dress to perform Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” on “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike, 10 p.m.). Somebody get this guy a job.
People with odd professions seem to be killed the most on TV. A professional skeptic is murdered tonight on “Elementary” (CBS, 10 p.m.). On “Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.) the victim is a mini-golf star. And on “Backstrom” (Fox, 9 p.m.), it’s somebody at a performance art festival.
Movies about millionaires’ daughters are on Turner Classic Movies with “Holiday” (8 p.m.), “Happiness Ahead” (9:45 p.m.), “The Bride Came C.O.D.” (11:30 p.m.), “Hard to Get” (1:15 a.m.), “Breakfast for Two” (2:45 a.m.) and “B.F.’s Daughter” (4:45 a.m.).
Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in four more first round series, Pittsburgh at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.), Detroit at Tampa Bay (CNBC, 7:30 p.m.), Minnesota at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 9:30 p.m.) and Winnipeg at Anaheim (CNBC, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Milwaukee at St. Louis (MLB, 1:45 p.m.), Miami at Mets (MLB, 7 p.m.) and Arizona at San Francisco (MLB, 10:15 p.m.).
It’s also the day for the WNBA Draft (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: John Slattery, Anna Chlumsky. The View: Billy Crystal, Gabriel Iglesias, Paula Faris, Michelle Collins.The Talk: Ludacris, Big Boy, Enzo Febbraro, Alyssa Milano (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Michael Douglas, Rosario Dawson. Wendy Williams: Keke Palmer. Meredith Vieira: Joey McIntyre, Peter Facinelli. Queen Latifah: Roseanne Barr, Kellie Pickler (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kevin James, Tom Dreesen, Tracy Chapman. Jimmy Fallon: Will Ferrell, Chelsea Peretti, Boots (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Jamie Foxx, Betty White, Jamie Foxx with Chris Brown and Kid Ink. Seth Meyers: Ludacris, Charlie Cox, Dead Sara (rerun). James Corden: Simon Cowell, Michael Douglas, Jenny Lewis. Carson Daly: Kal Penn, La Sera, Mac McClelland (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Peter Diamandis. Jon Stewart: Eric Greitens. Conan O’Brien: Rosario Dawson, Barney Frank, Royal Blood.