It was 70 years ago this month, in the deserts of New Mexico, man tested its most destructive invention, used weeks later to devastating effect in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The new two hour documentary “The Bomb” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks back at the history of its making, in secret, in the Southwest, using some recently declassified footage from the U.S. Department of Defense. Among its talking heads are George Shultz, Richard Rhodes, Sergei Krushchev and former defense secretary William Perry.
The film by Rushmore DeNooyer is followed by more bomb fare: the first half of a two part “Uranium: Twisting the Dragon’s Tail” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), about the bad and good aspects of the coveted element.
The ninth season of the special-effects makeup competition “Face Off” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) begins, fresh after winning an award for reality show.
Turner Classic Movies celebrates the life of documentary filmmaker Les Blank whose short films shared his enthusiasm for music, food and dance. It begins with a four film look at New Orleans, “Always for Pleasure” (8 p.m.), “Spend It All” (9:15 p.m.), “Dry Wood” (10:15 p.m.) and “Yum, Yum Yum! A Taste of Cajun and Creole Cooking of Louisiana” (11 p.m.). Then comes more cooking with “Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers” (11:45 p.m.), before music with “Hot Pepper” (12:45 a.m.), about Zydeco king Clifton Chenier; “The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins” (1:45 a.m.); “A Well Spent Life” (2:30 a.m.) about guitarist Mance Lipscomb; “Sprout Wings and Fly” (3:30 a.m.) about fiddler Tommy Jarrell; “In Heaven There is No Beer” (4:15 a.m.), about polka; and “God Respects Us When We Work But Loves Us When We Dance” (5:15 a.m.), about a love-in.
Marlon Wayans is guest judge on another two hour “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Players on “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 10 p.m.) include Rosie O’Donnell, Nate Berkus and Weird Al Yankovic.
Jamal wants military victory on “Tyrant” (FX, 10 p.m.).
The thing with “Zoo” (CBS, 9 p.m.) is at least there is some travel involved. Tonight: Rio de Janeiro.
Ryan Seacrest and his team hope there’s more people home this week when they go out to people’s houses on “Knock Knock Live” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Carole goes to London to get her late husband’s ashes on “The Real Housewives of New York City” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
The documentary crew of “Africa” (BBC America, 11 p.m.) show how they shot the series.
A teen girl is murdered on “Rizzoli & Isles” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Baseball includes Yankees at Texas (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.), and Arizona at Seattle (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Parker Posey, Kaitlyn Bristowe. The View: Eriq La Salle, Prince Royce. The Talk: Amy Smart. Ellen DeGeneres: Julie Bowen, Fifth Harmony (rerun). Wendy Williams: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Debbie Gibson, Michelle Williams, Brad Garrett, Heidi Skolnik (rerun). Queen Latifah: Zoe Saldana, B.J. Novak (rerun).
Late Talk
Jimmy Fallon: Danny DeVito, Simon Pegg, George Ezra, Donn T. Jimmy Kimmel: Armie Hammer, Natasha Leggero, Big Talk. Seth Meyers: Billy Eichner, Julie Klausner, Vintage Trouble. James Corden: Trevor Noah, Odette Annable, Eric Idle. Carson Daly: Evan Peters, the Re-Licked Project, Sierra Katow (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Sen. Ted Cruz (rerun). Jon Stewart: Tom Cruise. Conan O’Brien: Will Forte, Justin Willman, Mac DeMarco (rerun).