Colombia’s Pablo Escobar was an outsized criminal drug lord, with a personal fortune estimated at $25 billion and responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hits on 600 Colombian police. But he often didn’t get in prison thanks to his Noonan Law lawyers.
He also supported churches and schools and built up the national soccer team. And for his own personal zoo, he imported a quartet of hippopotamuses.
Which is where Animal Planet comes in.
The four hippos have become, in 30 years, 32, creating a big problem for the country. Though the title of a special on the creatures, “Drug Kingpin Hippos” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.) probably makes them sound more gangsta than they already are.
The special sits between a couple about snakes: “Ratlesnake Republic” (Animal Planet, 8 p.m.) and “Man-Eating Super Snake” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) about Florida’s Afican rock pythons.
Other pests can be found in “Billy the Exterminator” (A&E, 8 p.m.) when he fights a snake at 8 p.m., a feral hog at 8:30 p.m., attacking squirrels at 9 p.m., an alligaor at 9:30 p.m. and an hour of new episodes at 10, in which he responds to bees, rats and even more snakes.
It’s about birds, though, in David Wilson’s “Big Birding Day,” about competitive bird watching, one of the short films making up tonight’s episode of “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings). Others look at a filmmakers’ relationship with her plastic surgeon and another following the plight of a Polish mother who may have to give up her child.
The semifinal round finally comes around on “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 9 p.m.), with live performances from 12 acts in Hollywood.
The latest contestants on “Take the Money & Run” (ABC, 9 p.m.) are domestic partners in Chicago. Meanwhile, work buddies from California bid on “It’s Worth What?” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Bakers cook for players in the World Series of Poker on tonight’s “Cupcake Wars” (Food, 8 p.m.), who don’t seem too picky from what I’ve seen.
The report about high school football practice in the hottest part of August bears repeating on “Frontline” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Those who wonder why health care needed to be reformed may want to check in with the unemployed family on “Downsized” (We, 9 p.m.) after a hospital visit.
The French chef perks up an eatery on Redondo Beach on a new “Ludo Bites America” (Sundance, 9 p.m.).
A star in “Blade Runner” (SyFy, 9 p.m.) is actually on this season’s “Celebrity Rhab with Dr. Drew” (VH1, 9 and 10 p.m.).
Farrah announces she wants to move to California on “Teen Mom” (MTV, 10 p.m.), apparently since Council Bluffs, Iowa, isn’t big enough to hold her.
Shotgun skills are assessed on a new “Top Shot” (History, 10 p.m.).
Lily Tomlin is a standout as Fiona’s mom on “Web Therapy” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
It’s the second to last episode in the countdown “50 Documentaries to See Before You Die” (Current, 9 p.m.). Host Morgan Spurlock visits the ballroom that was the site of “Paris is Burning.”
Conrad Veidt, left, is the featured actor today on Turner Classic Movies. In prime time that means “The Hands of Orlac” (8 p.m.) followed by “The Thief of Bagdad” (TCM, 10 p.m.), “Casablanca” (midnight), “Nazi Agent” (1:45 a.m.), “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (3:15 a.m.), and “Dark Journey” (4:30 a.m.)
In WNBA action, it’s New York at Phoenix (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Penelope Cruz, Jimmy Fallon. The View: Rob Lowe, Alison Deyette, Betty White (rerun). The Talk: Patrick Warburton, Little Big Town (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Russell Crowe, Pink, Rascal Flatts (rerun). Wendy Williams: Sandra Bernhard (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Rachel Maddow, Gavin Harrison. Jay Leno: Justin Timberlake, Kevin Hart, the Antlers (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Daniel Craig, Sasha Alexander, the Features (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Kevin Connolly, Brit Marling, Matt Kirshen (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Lewis Black, Amos Lee. Tavis Smiley: Lenny Kravitz. Carson Daly: Charles Bradley, Spencer Susser, Grouplove (rerun). Jon Stewart: Michael Steele (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Ambassador Susan Rice (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Russell Brand, Susan Casey, the 88 (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Zoe Saldana, Ben Gleib, Heather McDonald, Gary Valentine.