Bumbling British documentarian Nick Broomfield may be the last one you’d expect to get things right in one of his films — he’s the one who kept ambushing Courtney Love about her supposed murder of Kurt Cobain in “Kurt & Courtney.”
But partly because nobody else — least of all the police — has been investigating the tale of a serial killer who murdered upwards of 100 victims over decades in South Central Los Angeles, he somehow single-handedly gets the full, chilling picture in the documentary “Tales of the Grim Sleeper” (HBO, 9 p.m.). That means returning to the neighborhood where neighbors who first were trying to chase him off, eventually admit more and more. With help of one former junkie, he uncovers the sad truths of life and death on the streets there.
The 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam war gets attention all week on public television beginning with “The Draft” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) and the last use of the practice in those days.
The extent to which late night talk shows were more serious in those days is evident in “Dick Cavett’s Vietnam” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) which culls key interviews from the era from politicians ranging from Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey and Edmund Muskie to activists like a young John Kerrey. Celebs talked about the war as well, and there are comments from Groucho Marx, Warren Beatty and Jane Fonda as well.
Cee Lo Green returns to “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), but only as an advisor for Blake Shelton’s team; other advisers tonight are former judges as well: Usher and Gwen Stefani.
Margo Martindale guest stars as Mike’s aunt on “Mike & Molly” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
Unhappily, “Stalker” (CBS, 9 p.m.) returns from a hiatus.
Penguin incides a war on “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
There is a question of the baby’s health on “Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
A hostage incident occurs at the prison the day Joe Caroll is to be executed on “The Following” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
With Suzanne Somers and Patti LaBelle eliminated, there are no stars left on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.), though there are still seven couples participating. So they have a double elimination.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson talks to director Christopher Nolan and comedian Eugene Mirman on the latest “StarTalk” (National Geographic, 11 p.m.).
Production designer George C. Jenkins is celebrated on Turner Classic Movies with his work on “Up the Down Staircase” (8 p.m.), “The Miracle Worker” (10:15 p.m.), “Night Moves” (12:15 a.m.), “Funny Lady” (2:15 a.m.) and “The Subject was Roses” (4:45 a.m.).
In the Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s game seven for Islanders at Washington (NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.); game six for Tampa Bay at Detroit (CNBC, 7 p.m.).
In the NBA playoffs it’s Atlanta at Brooklyn (NBA, 7 p.m.), Milwaukee at Chicago (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Memphis at Portland (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Houston at San Diego (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: James Spader, Nene Leakes, Robin Roberts. The View: Keke Palmer, Robin Roberts, Penelope Ann Miller, Christela Alonzo. Ellen DeGeneres: Jake Gyllenhaal, Kunal Nayyar. Wendy Williams: Sal Scognamillo, Ereka Vetrini. Meredith Vieira: Dylan McDermott. Queen Latifah: Jon Cryer, Casey Wilson, Tim Snell (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Scarlett Johansson, John Mellencamp, Todd Rundgren. Jimmy Fallon: Robert Downey Jr., Fran Lebowitz, Zac Brown Band. Jimmy Kimmel: Kevin Spacey, Ioan Gruffudd, Stromae. Seth Meyers: James Spader, Jane Krakowski, the Wombats, Jack Antonoff. James Corden: Julie Chen, Gordon Ramsay, the Ting Tings. Carson Daly: Henry WInkler, Holy Wave, Mike Attie & Meghan O’Hara. Tavis Smiley: Joseph Stiglitz. Jon Stewart: Elizabeth Olsen. Conan O’Brien: Cedric the Entertainer, Fareed Zakaria, Marina and the Diamonds.