Bill Nye, “The Science Guy,” appears briefly on “Star Talk” (National Geographic, 11 p.m.), a new late night science offering, but there isn’t any question that today’s reigning science guy is Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who may have even eclipsed Carl Sagan as space’s spokesman.
The new weekly “Star Talk” is less a talk show and more an extension of his podcast. As such, he does most of the talking. And the “live” stuff is built around a taped conversation with George Takei, so the first episode devolves into total “Star Trek” geekdom.
Things are more serious on 25th anniversary salute “Hubble’s Cosmic Journey” (National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.) that precedes it. DeGrasse Tyson narrates the troubled path of the telescope, which we learn is bigger and heavier than a school bus, but takes no more power than an electric dryer. First proposed in the 1940s, it was finally delivered in 1985, but had its launch delayed for years by Challenger explosion in 1986. Cutting corners at the last minute meant the thing was out of focus, but a genius fix meant installing a new camera that fixed the problem.
In another documentary with scientific overtones, “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) marks the fifth anniversary today of the huge explosion of a BP oil rig in the Gulf Coast, which is still having environmental repercussions. Margaret Brown’s film, “The Great Invisible,” is named after the tons of unseen crude oil still at the bottom of the ocean and psychological scars on those in the region.
The first season finale of “Scorpion” (CBS, 9 p.m.) literally ends on a cliff, hanging, where Walter’s car is precariously perched.
A second season starts for the online comedy “Deadbeat” (Hulu, streaming), about a slacker medium played by Tyler Labine, who has a romantic relationship with a ghost, Lucy DeVito. Special guests are conjured up, too, including Cat Deeley, Zachary Levi, James Franco and Lucy’s father, Danny DeVito.
On the new “Time Traveling with Brian Unger” (Travel, 10 and 10:30 p.m.) the comedian visits famous cities at different times in history.
Group dances occur on spring break week of “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
The Top 10 sing on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Milo Ventimiglia plays the villain Ogre on “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Seems like there would be a Patriot’s Day tie in to tonight’s episode of “Turn” (AMC, 10 p.m.).
Before its decline as a mode of transportation, hitch-hiking also provided a number plots for movies, collected tonight on Turner Classic Movies, with “Kiss Me Deadly” (8 p.m.), “They Drive By Night” (10 p.m.), “Three” (11:45 p.m.), “Knife in the Water” (1:45 a.m.), “Detour” (3:30 a.m.) and “The Hitch-Hiker” (4:45 a.m.)
NBA playoffs include Milwaukee at Chicago (TNT, 8 p.m.) and New Orleans at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
In the Stanley Cup playoffs have Rangers at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.), St. Louis at Minnesota (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.) and Anaheim at Winnipeg (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.).
Baseball includes Baltimore at Boston (MASN, 11 a.m.) in the annual Patriot’s Day game with a morning start, and Yankees at Detroit (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
And this morning, undaunted, is the Boston Marathon (Universal Sports Network, 8:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: LL Cool J, Rachael Ray, Joey Cook. The View: Taryn Manning, Rachel Smith, Gina Rodriguez, Hannah Storm. The Talk: Josh Gad, Shelley Wade, Richard Blais. Ellen DeGeneres: Felicity Huffman, Noah Galloway & Sharna Burgess, the War on Drugs. Wendy Williams: Perez Hilton. Meredith Vieira: Nick Cannon, Veronica Webb. Queen Latifah: Chris O’Donnell, Jessie J, Alfonso Ribeiro (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: John Travolta, Amy Schumer, the Waterboys. Jimmy Fallon: LL Cool J, Rose Byrne, Big Sean. Jimmy Kimmel: John Stamos, Michael B. Jordan, Matt & Kim. Seth Meyers: Helen Mirren, Lindsey Vonn, Buzcocks, Jeremy Gara. James Corden: Rosario Dawson, Tony Hale, Sharon Osbourne. Carson Daly: Teresa Palmer, Borns, Amanda Crew. Tavis Smiley: Saru Jayaraman, Grover Norquist. Jon Stewart: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon. Conan O’Brien: Dick Van Dyke, Jenny Slate, Vance Joy (rerun).