The latest online documentary of note is Ava DuVernay’s striking “13th” (Netflix, streaming) about the explosion of incarceration of prisoners in the United States, which has 5 percent in the world’s population but holds 25 percent of the world’s prisoners. The racial basis for mass incarceration, DuVernay boldly shows, grows out of a loophole in the 13th Amendment, that freed slaves — except for criminals.
Another documentary, “Rise Up: The Legacy of Nat Turner” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) seems like more of a movie tie-in to the new theatrical release “The Birth of a Nation.”
Lewis Black goes over the top, as usual, in his exasperation over the presidential race, the economy and local government in his timely special “Lewis Black: Black to the Future” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
In another new comedy special tonight, “Russell Peters: Almost Famous” (Netflix, streaming), the comic performs in Toronto.
The concluding night of the iHeart Radio Music Festival (The CW, 8 p.m.) from Las Vegas features Usher, Sting, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande and Florida Georgia Line. Then it’s Seacrest out.
The weird sitcom “The Ranch” (Netflix, streaming) with Ashton Kutcher and Debra Winter, returns for its second season.
The latest Disney movie, “The Swap” (Disney, 8 p.m.) has a rhythmic gymnast played by Peyton List switching bodies with a hockey-player pal played by Jacob Bertrand, in a sports minded “Freaky Friday” twist.
In “Getting Ahead” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), Tavis Smiley looks at the effect of a minimum wage hike in Northern California.
Sen. Al Franken, James Carville, Mark Cuban, Pitbull and Johann Hari are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
What’s it like to work in telenovelas? The docs-series “My Life is a Telenovela” (WE, 10 p.m.) purports to tell you.
A couple of stories on “High Maintenance” (HBO, 11 p.m.) look at the relationship of two households of parents and children.
Racial violence mars the city of Memphis in tonight’s “Quarry” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.).
The death of Hollywood star Thelma Todd is discussed on “Mysteries at the Museum” (Travel, 9 p.m.).
They make dishes out of ostrich on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Mandy starts vaping and dad’s not happy on “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“MacGyver” (CBS, 8 p.m.) goes to Malaysia.
“Dr. Ken” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) is snubbed as banquet speaker.
October seems a good time for the return of “Hellevator” (GSN, 9 p.m.).
The final days of the season are coming on “Bering Sea Gold” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Claire Forlani plays FBI profiler helming the team on “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.) with the chess piece killer.
Famous Amos has a new idea for “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Murphy’s cult attracts more followers on “Z Nation” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
In “Dream On” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) political comedian John Fuglesang retraces the famous trip Alexis de Tocqueville’s took to America in 1831-32.
The most shocking thing on “The Exorcist” (Fox, 9 p.m.) last week may have been its ratings drop.
A woman held hostage presses charges on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
A new season starts on “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” (WE, 9 p.m.) where participants include Jade and Tanner from “Bachelor in Paradise,” Keke Wyatt from “R&B Divas: Atlanta,” Amber Marchese from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Karen Graven from “Mob Wives,” and Margaux Simms from “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.”
“Burgers, Brew and ‘Que” (Food, 10 p.m.) goes to Detroit and of course they have a Coney Island.
A black hole may lead to “Doomsday: 10 Ways the World Will End” (History, 10 p.m.).
Hard to keep track of people coming back to life on “Van Helsing” (Syfy, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies becomes Terror Classic Movies Fridays this month, starting with iconic silent films from the 1920s, “Nosferatu” (8 p.m.), “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (9:45 p.m.), “Unholy Three” (11:15 p.m.), “The Phantom of the Opera” (1 a.m.), “Hexane: Witchcraft Through the Ages” (2:45 a.m.) and “The Penalty” (4:45 a.m.).
During the day, though it’s a house call from Lew Ayres all day in “Young Dr. Kildare” (6 a.m.), “Calling Dr. Kildare” (7:30 a.m.), “The Secret of Dr. Kildare” (9 a.m.), “Dr. Kildare’s Strange Case” (10:30 a.m.), “Dr. Kildare Goes Home” (noon), “Dr. Kildare’s Crisis” (1:30 p.m.), “The People vs. Dr. Kildare” (3 p.m.), “Dr. Kildare’s Wedding Day” (4:30 p.m.) and “Dr. Kildare’s Victory” (6 p.m.).
Divisional series in both leagues have Toronto at Texas (TBS, 1 p.m.), Boston at Cleveland (TBS, 4:30 p.m.), Dodgers at Washington (Fox Sports 1, 5:30 p.m.) and San Francisco at Cubs (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
College football has Clemson at Boston College (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.), SMU at Tulsa (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and Boise State at New Mexico (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.).
Preseason basketball has Denver at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Sarah Paulson, Laura Prepon, Colbie Caillat, Ashton Kutcher. The View: Elizabeth Vargas. The Talk: Keke Palmer. Chelsea Handler: Brian McGinn, Rod Blackhurst, Krysten Ritter, Rumer Willis. Harry Connick: J.B. Smoke, Jessie Mueller. Ellen DeGeneres: Kat Dennings, OneRepublic. The Real: Bre-Z.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Diane Lane, Aja Naomi King, Sebastian Maniscalco. Jimmy Kimmel: Owen Wilson, Zach Galifinakis, Kristen Wiig, the Lupiners (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Tyler Perry, Abigail Spencer, Van Morrison. James Corden: David Duchovny, Danny McBride, Gaggy Douglas, Nathan Adrian, Conor Dwyer, the Kills (rerun). Carson Daly: Nicole Byer, Guided by Voices, Elizabeth Wood (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Betye Saar.