Most of the recent space travel shows have occurred on streaming services. But the new “Moonbase 8” (Showtime, 11 p.m.) is both on cable and a bit more Earth-bound. It concerns a three man crew preparing for a possible moon mission by trying to replicate conditions on an Arizona desert.
The hapless inhabitants happen to be some the best comic actors around — Fred Armisen, John C. Reilly and Tim Heidecker. Together they create a slow-burn, low-key comedy of errors with ace director John Krisel of “Portlandia,” “Baskets” and “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” that’s nearly an equal with one of those shows. Without having to dazzle you with any special effects, they stick to the deadpan humor at its ground zero.
Harrowing cellphone video of the wildfires that almost destroyed their town in 2018 starts Ron Howard’s gripping and ultimately rewarding documentary “Rebuilding Paradise” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.), which, as the title suggests, shifts its focus on how to come back.
If you think the regular MTV Music Awards is full of people you don’t know, it’s even worse on the 2020 MTV EMAs (MTV, 7 p.m.), the European Music Awards. Performances are set from Zara Larsson, Doja Cat, Maluma, YUNGBLUD and Sam Smith. It’s hosted by Little Mix.
The four part documentary series “By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem” (Epix, 10 p.m.) recounts the life and times of Bumpy Johnson – on the network that has a dramatic series about him as well.