The very personal feature documentary “My Mom Jane: A Film by Mariska Hargitay” (HBO, 8 p.m.) is quite a remarkable thing. On its surface, it’s a welcome look at misunderstood starlet Jayne Mansfield, who seemed to forever pose in Marilyn Monroe’s shadow, down to having an equally tragic end.
But it is also a way for Hargitay to finally make sense once and for all of her connection to a mother who died when she was 3. All from someone who happens to be one of this era’s biggest TV stars. She digs into family archives, rounds up her siblings and comes up with more than one revelation along the way.
The latest series from Dennis Lehane, “Smoke” (Apple TV+, streaming) concerns a team going after some serial arsonists in the Pacific Northwest. Jurnee Smollett and Taron Egerton are the detectives. The cast also includes John Leguizamo, Greg Kinnear and Anna Chlumsky.
As popular as its first season was, I’m not sure “Squid Game” (Netflix, streaming) needed to come back for a second season, let alone tonight’s third (and final) season, in which Gi-hun seeks revenge by trying to destroy the game.
Hannah Arendt, the German-born American historian and philosopher who wrote “Origins of Totalitarianism,” addressing antisemitism, imperialism and racism is the subject of a timely new “American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) titled “Facing Tyranny.”
The first season of “Peacemaker” (TNT, 10 p.m.), the superhero series with John Cena, gets a cable showcase before season two returns to Max in August, as does the Disney+ nature series “A Real Bug’s Life” (Nat Geo Wild, 9 and 9:42 p.m.).
“Planet Weird” (Nat Geo Wild, 8 p.m.) profiles the great white shark.
Harry and Heather reunite on “Resident Alien” (Syfy, 11 p.m.).
“Underdogs” (Nat Geo Wild, 10:23 p.m.) looks at critters with odd parenting skills.
It’s all fun when a woman has a relationship with a glamorous couple, but things turn when “My Boyfriend’s Wife is Dead” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.), a made-for-TV thriller.
“Gold Rush: White Water” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) sees winter approaching.
Pumpkin is ready to date again on “Mama June: From Not to Hot” (WeTV, 8 p.m.).
“Gold Rush: Mine Rescue with Freddy & Juan” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) help miners struggling with shutdowns.
Two episodes of “Sweet Life: Los Angles” (OWN, 8 p.m.) deals with group vibes.
“The UnXplained” (History, 9 p.m.) looks at how spies have changed world events.
Both the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot figure in “The Proof is Out There” (History, 10 p.m.).
“BMF” (Starz, 9 p.m.) Meech and Terry are trying to sign Purdy to their label.
Turner Classic Movies’ month-long Friday night salute to con men concludes with “The Lady Eve” (8 p.m.), “The Producers” (10 p.m.), “I Love You Again” (midnight), “Mr. Lucky” (2 a.m.) and “Nobody Lives Forever” (4 a.m.). During the day is pre-code romance with “Other Men’s Women” (6 a.m.), “God’s Gift to Women” (7:15 a.m.), “Loose Ankles” (8:30 a.m.), “What Price Hollywood?” (9:45 a.m.), “Beauty for Sale” (11:30 a.m.), “Blonde Crazy” (1 p.m.), “Lilly Turner” (2:30 p.m.), “The Rich Are Always with Us” (3:45 p.m.), “Rain” (5 p.m.) and “Jewel Robbery” (6:45 p.m.).
Baseball includes Dodgers at Cubs (MLB, 8 p.m.).
Tonight’s the night of the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft (ESPN, 7 p.m.) in Los Angeles.
NASCAR runs its Focused Health 250 (CW, 7:30 p.m.).
WNBA action has Indiana at Dallas (Ion, 7:30 p.m.) and New York at Phoenix (Ion, 10 p.m.).
X Games 2025 (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) begin in Salt Lake City
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Richard Gere, Anika Noni Rose. The View: Anthony Ramos, Molly John-Fast. Kelly Clarkson: José Andrés, Martha Stewart, Tina Knowles, Watchhouse (rerun). Drew Barrymore: Jaleel White, James McAvoy (rerun). Jennifer Hudson: Debbie Allen, J. Ivy (rerun). Tamron Hall: Pretty Vee, Ryan Ellis (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Jimmy Fallon: Uma Thurman, Lee Byung-hun, Haim. Seth Meyers: Christine Baranski, James Acaster, Meredith Hayden (rerun). Taylor Tomlinson: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster.