One might feel a little nostalgic, wistful even, for the days of President George W. Bush these days, particularly after his message of unity Sunday (quickly thrashed by the current White House resident).
But after some gripping introductory 9/11 footage in a two part “American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) we are suddenly infuriated all over again: Given the office by the Supreme Court, the former party boy and son of a former president farms out foreign policy to a war-mad cabinet, institutes torture as U.S. policy, invades another country on a lie.
Yet this lengthy biography is told essentially by his enablers or creators in the case of Karl Rove, largely scrubbed of criticism. Part one takes us up to the Iraq invasion. Tuesday’s part two will cover Katrina and the financial meltdown.
Greg Nicotero’s adaptation of the horror anthology “Creepshow” (AMC, 10 p.m.), originally made for the streaming service Shudder, makes its debut on cable, with four stories, one of which is based on a Stephen King tale.
Elena writes her first novel and Lila is a factory worker on the season finale of “My Brilliant Friend: The Story of a New Name” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
Grownups frolic in a summer camp in Kent, Conn. on the new reality series “Camp Getaway” (Bravo, 10 p.m.), and probably act childishly along the way.
Social distancing comes to TV dramas on “All Rise” (CBS, 9 p.m.) with an episode showing the justice system upended by the pandemic crisis (and shot on FaceTime, Zoom and WebEx).
Speaking of adjusting, the U.S. Supreme Court (C-SPAN, 10 a.m.) hears arguments by phone lines for the first time, and for the first time in its 230-year history, the live oral argument can be heard on broadcast. The first case may be dull, though: Whether Booking.com can trademark its name.
A winner is named on the “Spring Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.). It’s not so fast on “The Baker and the Beauty” (ABC, 10 p.m.), where Noa is just now meeting his family.
May the 4th brings the final chapter of the nine part saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (Disney+, streaming) two months early, so you can watch the whole thing if you spend most of the day on it. There is also the season finale of the animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (Disney+, streaming), and the premiere of “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian” (Disney+, streaming) a documentary series about the making of the spin-off’s first season.
Julia Ormond plays a woman dating a much younger man in the six-part limited series “Gold Digger” (Acorn TV, streaming).
“9-1-1” (Fox, 8 p.m.) tries to rescue a girl in a runaway hot air balloon.
Martina McBride goes looking for a hit on tonight’s “Songland” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
The top 17 perform on a live, social distanced “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Also under quarantine: “90-Day Fiance” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
That the couples on “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart” (ABC, 8 p.m.) can stay only if a panel of celebrities is convinced they look like they are in love, brings a whole new level of weirdness to the spinoff. And tonight even weirder: Everyone has to switch partners.
“The Neighborhood” (CBS, 8 p.m.) gets political, over a speed bump. Then Dave runs for city council in a second episode at 8:30 p.m.
Keep in mind that the performing galoots in “WWE Monday Night Raw” (USA, 8 p.m.), live from Orlando, are deemed essential workers by the governor of Florida.
Bambi tells Scrappy about the impending second baby on “Love & Hop Hop Atlanta” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
On “Below Deck Sailing Yacht” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), Adam keeps Jenna at a distance.
Michael Bublé suggests a renovation on “Celebrity IOU” (HGTV, 9 p.m.).
Charlie Pride gets a custom car on “Fast N’ Loud” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Max goes off to find Cameron on “Roswell, New Mexico” (CW, 9 p.m.).
“Bull” (CBS, 10 p.m.) goes after a hit and run driver in the fourth season finale.
In advance of a new HBO biography on her Tuesday, Natalie Wood stars tonight on Turner Classic Movies with “Splendor in the Grass” (8 p.m.), “The Searchers” (10:15 p.m.), “Gypsy” (12:30 a.m.) and “Rebel Without a Cause” (3 a.m.). During the day are comedies about shrinks with “Millionaire Playboy” (6 a.m.), “That Uncertain Feeling” (7:15 a.m.), “Mental Poise” (8:45 a.m.), “Penelope” (9 a.m.), “Promise Her Anything” (11 a.m.), “Carefree” (12:45 p.m.), “The Impossible Years” (2:15 p.m.), “Three on a Couch” (4 p.m.) and “My Six Convicts” (6 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Mandy Moore. The View: Dr. Deborah Birx, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (rerun). The Talk: Max Greenfield, Simone Missick. Ellen DeGeneres: Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Brooke Baldwin. Kelly Clarkson: Elisabeth Moss, Thomas Sadoski (rerun). Tamron Hall: Lecy Grandson, Cedric Yarbrough. Wendy Williams: Jason Lee, Melissa Garcia. The Real: Karlie Redd, Tiffany Aliche.
Late Talk
Jimmy Kimmel: Sandra Oh, Ellie Goulding. Jimmy Fallon: Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Evan Rachel Wood, Annie Lennox. Seth Meyers: Ricky Gervais. James Corden: Allison Janney, 5 Seconds of Summer. Lilly Singh: Dr. Phil McGraw. Conan O’Brien: Shailene Woodley.