The 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day gives us time to remember the global crisis awaiting us when this one runs its course. And a couple of the specials focus on one person.
“Jane Goodall: The Hope” (National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, 9 p.m.) is a sequel to the 2017 documentary about the anthropologist and activist, concentrating on how she inspires younger activists and tries to instill hope.
Goodall is also one of three women profiled in the documentary “She Walks with Apes” (BBC America, 9 p.m.). Sandra Oh narrates the documentary that also features the work with great apes done by Dian Fossey and Biruté Galdikas.
“Born: Wild the Next Generation” (National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, 8 p.m.) with Chris Hemsworth lures you with an array of baby animals.
Zac Efron co-hosts “The Great Global Clean Up” (Discovery, 9 p.m.), which has people like Lil Dicky, Cody Simpson and Liza Koshy talking to leading environmental leaders.
As if anyone still needs convincing, Sir David Attenborough lays out the scientific evidence on “Climate Change — the Facts” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
There’s even an Earth Day theme on the comedies “Schooled” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8 p.m.), but also one about Hall & Oates.
“The Story of Plastic” (Discovery, 2 p.m.), produced in party by Jackson Browne, looks at the rings and detrimental oceanic effects of plastics.
And Earth Day is marked tonight on Turner Classic Movies with “An Inconvenient Truth” (8 p.m.), “Koyaanisqatsi” (10 p.m.), “The Plow that Broke the Plains” (11:45 p.m.), “The River” (12:30 a.m.) and “The Sea Around Us” (1:15 a.m.).
Earth Day also plays a role on both “Josh Gates Tonight” (Discovery, 8 p.m.), where Dr. Pimple Popper weighs in, and on “Impossible Croc Rescue” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
“Nova” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) weighs in on the moment with a report on killer floods. On the other hand, they also praise “H20: The Molecule that Made Us” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Of course the planet’s fate is not the biggest issue everywhere. There is also the two-hour special “People Presents Harry & Meghan: A Royal Rebellion” (CW, 8 p.m.).
Kelly Rowland, Regina Hall and Terrence J host a benefit concentrating on the virus’ effect on communities of color in the special “Saving Ourselves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort” (BET, 8 p.m.) with appearances by Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled and Fantasia.
The vampires on “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX, 10 p.m.) go to a neighbor’s Super Bowl party but only because they thought the invitation said Superb Owl.
Sharon Osbourne joins the panel fort eh face-offs on “The Masked Singer” (Fox, 8 p.m.). The last person unmasked was the Kangaroo, who was Jordyn Woods, whose celebrity is tied to being Kylie Jenner’s best friend. So i’m not sure what warrants a one-hour aftershow “The Masked Singer: After the Mask” (Fox, 9 p.m.), hosted by Nick Cannon.
THere’s another new talk show tonight, “Seat at the Table with Anand Giriharadas” (Vice, 10 p.m.). First guests: Seth MacFarlane, Taylor Mac and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
From the creator of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” comes the new animated movie “The Willoughbys” (Netflix, streaming) about siblings forced to create their own bond after their selfish parents abandon them. Based on the book by Lois Lowry, it uses the voices of Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte and Martin Short, among others.
The documentary “Circus of Books” (Netflix, streaming) chronicles the L.A. gay bookstore and sex shop, run by an ordinary couple who kept their occupation a secret from their kids. One of them grew up and made the documentary, Rachel Mason.
Tony goes a little nuts on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) has been filming in the woods.
Nikki Glaser, Jane Fonda and Anthony Anderson play “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Paula Abdul has some tales to tell on “Celebrity Ghost Stories” (A&E, 10 p.m.). It follows the two hour season premiere of “Ghost Nation” (Travel, 8 p.m.).
Doris moves into a new house on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
“SEAL Team” (CBS, 9 p.m.) looks for a new terrorist group leader in Afghanistan, while “S.W.A.T.” (CBS, 10 p.m.) goes after an escaped convict.
Pat finds a body at the truck stop on “Deadly Recall” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.).
The first season finale of “True Terror with Robert Englund” (Travel, 10 p.m.) finds a secret in Kansas.
Walt and Jess plan a Hawaii wedding on “Black Ink Crew” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
On “American Housewife” (ABC, 9 p.m.), Kate encourages Taylor to take part in the senior prank.
Just about everything is extreme on “Motherland: Fort Salem” (Freeform, 9 p.m.).
On “Summer House” (Bravo, 8 p.m.), Carl gets a blast from the past.
The kids are home alone for the first time with Graham in charge on “Single Parents” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
It’s commitment day on “Bride & Prejudice: Forbidden Love” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
During the day, Turner Classic Movies has a string of comedies about inventors, with “Married Before Breakfast” (7:15 a.m.), “The Heart of New York” (8:30 a.m.), “Saturday’s Children” (10 a.m.), “Powder Town” (noon), “Fast Life” (1:30 p.m.), “Buzzing’ Around” (3 p.m.), “Excuse My Dust” (5 p.m.) and “The Yellow Cab Man” (6:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Natalie Dormer. The Talk: Jenny McCarthy, Niecy Nash. Ellen DeGeneres: Kate Hudson. Kelly Clarkson: Octavia Spencer, David Dobrik (rerun). Tamron Hall: Deepak Chopra. Wendy Williams: Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Gizelle Bryant. The Real: Teddi Mellencamp, Mike Epps.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Nathan Lane, José Andrés. Jimmy Kimmel: Chris Hemsworth. Jimmy Fallon: LL Cool J, Dr. Jane Goodall, Kate Tempest. Seth Meyers: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Greta Gerwig, Allison Miller (rerun). James Corden: Ray Romano, Mike D & Ad Rock, Alec Benjamin. Lilly Singh: Rob Corddry, Pete Holmes (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Shaquille O’Neal.