The ambitious reboot of Kenneth Clark’s original series, which helped put PBS on the map for cultural programming, begins with the wanton destruction of artifacts in Palmyra in present day Syria to stress the importance of cherishing cultural artifacts from the past.
Using a revolving set of experts (and narrated overall by Liev Schreiber), the new nine-part “Civilizations” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks at the earliest expressions of humanity, including ghostly handprints in caves. Here is a longer story I wrote about the series for SmithsonianMagazine.com.
“Black Lightning” (The CW, 9 p.m.) reaches its first season finale, reeling from last week’s big battle.
Sen. John McCain’s complicated relationship with President Trump and his own party is the subject of a new “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings.
“American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) looks into a case from 1931 Hawaii when a Navy wife accuses five nonwhite islanders of rape.
On the new French import “The Chalet” (Netflix, streaming), a group of friends at a remote chalet in the Alps are caught in a deadly trap. As the series continues, one after another is picked off.
Also online, the married comedians Natasha Leggero of “Another Period” and Moshe Kasher discuss domestic situations on “The Honeymoon Stand Up Special” (Netflix, streaming).
Home renovator Mike Holmes recruits his son and daughter to help him on his new series “Holmes: Next Generation” (DIY, 9 p.m.).
The new “Last Outpost” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) has Clint Greenhouse and Todd Anderson building shelters in the wild out of found materials.
“Forged in Fire: Knife or Death” (History, 10 p.m.), is a spinoff of the blade show that features an obstacle course.
David navigates another maze on “Legion” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Lena goes on a second date on “Splitting Up Together” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
On “New Girl” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.), Jess wants more responsibility in her job.
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) ends its season with Dorit throwing her swimwear launch.
On the second night of the live playoffs, singers try to make the Top 12 on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
The production seems shaky on “Rise” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Barry finds a way into the Thinker’s lair on “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
Ronnie throws a dinner party on “LA to Vegas” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Darlene’s ex David returns after years of absence on “Roseanne” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
A therapist suggests a date night on “Blackish” (ABC, 9 p.m).
On “The Last O.G.” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) the kids get a tour of the old days.
A suspect escapes from a crashed transport on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Tupac clings to life on “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.” (USA, 10 p.m.).
“Bull” (CBS, 9 p.m.) defends an abused woman charged with shooting her husband.
Riggs and Murtaugh go to Leo Getz’s wedding on “Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
There’s a hostage situation in a bar on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Something goes wrong in surgery on “Chicago Med” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
On “Alex, Inc.” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), they try to fire the nanny.
Simon and Jace try to find who is after them on “Shadowhunters” (Freeform, 8 p.m.).
Allison defends a man accused of stealing hurricane relief on “For the People” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
A winner is named on “The Challenge: Vendettas” (MTV, 9 p.m.) while a third season starts for “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
Peggy Cummins, the Hollywood star who died in December at 92, gets the spotlight on Turner Classic Movies tonight with her starring roles in “Gun Crazy” (8 p.m.), “Curse of the Demon” (9:45 p.m.), “Hell Drivers” (11:30 p.m.), “The Late George Apley” (1:30 a.m.) and “Always a Bride” (3:30 a.m.).
Otherwise it’s Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy musicals all day with “Naughty Marietta” (6 a.m.), “Rose Marie” (8 a.m.), “Maytime” (10 a.m.), “The Girl of the Golden West” (12:15 p.m.), “Sweethearts” (2:30 p.m.) and “Bitter Sweet” (4:30 p.m.).
NBA playoffs have Washington at Toronto (NBA, 7 p.m.), Milwaukee at Boston (TNT, 8 p.m.) and New Orleans at Portland (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Stanley Cup playoffs have Washington at Columbus (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Winnipeg at Minnesota (CNBC, 8 p.m.) and Vegas at Los Angeles (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Cleveland at Minnesota (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.) and Boston at Angels (MLB, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Laurie Metcalf, Emily Ratajkowski. The View: Stormy Daniels, Andrew Morton. The Talk: Keltie Knight, Lidia Bastianich, Aisha Tyler. Harry Connick: Isiah Mustafa. Steve Harvey: Louie Anderson, Brooke Burke-Charvet, Tami Roman, Tamar Braxton. Ellen DeGeneres: Steve Harvey, Samira Wiley, Jon Dorenbos. Wendy Williams: Preston Konrad. The Real: Keith Powers, Tiffany Aliche.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: James Comey, Jason Aldean. Jimmy Kimmel: LL Cool J, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Portugal the Man. Jimmy Fallon: Joel McHale, Michael Che, Offset and Metro Boomin. Seth Meyers: John Oliver, Laura Benanti, Blake Shelton, Lil John Roberts (rerun). James Corden: Jason Sudeikis, Ice Cube, Fall Out Boy. Carson Daly: Padma Lakshmi, Younger, Matthew Heineman. Trevor Noah: Eric Holder. Jordan Klepper: David Corn, Michael Isikoff. Conan O’Brien: Jeff Daniels, Lauren Ash.