It doesn’t sound like the smartest idea each year when 10,000 tourists descend on tiny Churchill, Manitoba to witness the more than 1,000 hungry polar bears gather awaiting the ice to freeze on Hudson Bay. But somebody made a film of the spectacle thats been made into a series, “Polar Bear Town” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.).
In the six-part “Undercover” (BBC America, 8 p.m.), which will be shown in its entirety today and Thursday, the great Sophie Okonedo stars as a London barrister about to be in the first black director of prosecution whose husband interferes with a death row case she’s built she’s been working on for decades. Dennis Haysbert plays the American who has been sentenced to life and Peter Moffat, who wrote the series on which “The Night Of” was based, wrote it.
Something new from Ali Wentworth, the comedian (and wife of George Stephanopoulos), playing the talent booker for a late night talk show on “Nightcap” (Pop, 8 p.m.), a comedy that will feature a number of celebrities playing themselves, starting with Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Killy Ripa and Mark Conuelos.
Jeremy Sisto, Donald Sutherland, Ray Winstone and Cam Gigandet star in the new 10-episode series “Ice” (DirecTV, 8 p.m.) about diamond dealers, a cartel, the mob and the feds.
It sounds not so different than “The Art of More” (Crackle, streaming) with Dennis Quaid, Cary Elwes and Christian Cooke in a saga about art smugglers, which starts its second season tonight on a similarly hard-to-find outlet.
The use of distinct voices in recordings, from Adele to Amy Winehouse to those who rely on autotune are featured tonight on the third episode of “Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
They’ve been working overtime on “South Park” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) to adjust the show to include the president-elect.
The full merge occurs on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The three part series on “Nature” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) about the planet’s natural resources looks at fossil fuels.
It’s Thanksgiving on “Black-ish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.), “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8 p.m.), “Speechless” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.). and “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
The family’s biggest secret — something to do with Cookie’s past — is supposed to be revealed tonight on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Liza might have to tell her actual age when she ends up in the hospital on “Younger” (TVLand, 10 p.m.).
The icky “Bachelor” game “Catching Kelce” (E!, 9 p.m.) has its two hour finale.
Suddenly, President Kirkman on “Designated Survivor” (ABC, 10 p.m.) is no longer the least prepared U.S. leader on TV.
What’s been renamed “American Horror Story: Roanoke” (FX, 10 p.m.) ends its odd season tonight as well.
Triumphant from the political trail, “Duck Dynasty” (A&E, 9 p.m.) returns for its 11th season.
Also back tonight, “Total Divas” (E!, 8 p.m.) for its sixth season, and an seventh season for “Wahlburgers” (E!, 8 p.m.).
On “Blindspot” (NBC, 8 p.m.), Jane sends an SOS to her FBI team.
“Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 8 p.m.) finds a connection between the fashion industry and the DEA.
“Chicago P.D.” (NBC, 9 p.m.) looks for a cop killer.
There’s a new vigilante on “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
On “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike, 9 p.m.), it’s T.J. Miller vs. Sam Richardson (Spike, 9 p.m.).
The documentary showcase on Turner Classic Movies continues with the 1966 surf movie “The Endless Summer” (8 p.m.), the basketball documentary “Hoop Dreams” (9:45 p.m.), 1970’s “Woodstock” (12:45 a.m.) and, from the same year, “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is” (4 a.m.).
Basketball tonight includes Golden State at Toronto (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Memphis at Clippers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Pittsburgh at Washington (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
In college football, it’s Ball State at Toledo (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan (ESPNU, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Northwestern at Butler (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Trevor Noah, One Republic, Ryan Seacrest. The View: Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Talk: America Ferrera, Shelley Wade. Harry Connick: Taye Diggs, Skylar Astin, Danny Seo. Ellen DeGeneres: Kendall & Kylie Jenner, Ricky Martin. Wendy Williams: Jillian Michaels, Katrina Szish. The Real: Jessie T. Usher, Will Packer, Monica.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Marion Cotillard, Dev Patel, Dwight Yoakam. Jimmy Kimmel: Garth Brooks, Lucas Hedges. Jimmy Fallon: Jude Law, Sterling K. Brown, Macklemore with Ariana DeBoo. Seth Meyers: Kathy Bates, Laura Jane Grace, Against Me!, Atom Willard. James Corden: Kendall Jenner, Michael Strahan, Hey Violet. Carson Daly: Thomas Haden Church, Strawberry Girls, Zulay Henao. Trevor Noah: Wesley Lowery. Conan O’Brien: Ashton Kutcher, Reggie Watts, Moby.