Even doing his reporting from a computer screen in the Catskills, Martin Smith does an ace job sorting out the road to our worldwide pandemic on a new “Frontline” (PBS, 9:30 p.m., check local listings) titled “The Virus: What Went Wrong?”
The origins of the virus are tracked, and how some countries handled it well (South Korea) and others (China, Iran, the U.S.) did not.
The origins of the Los Angeles riots of 1992 are covered in John Ridley’s 2017 documentary “Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992” (ABC, 8 p.m.) which gets a timely replay with a new introduction by John Legend.
The story of Mae West is a saucy and singular one, but the biography of her tonight on “American Masters” (PBS, 8 p.m. check local listings) is unnecessarily long, with experts that are all over the place. The first two, for example, are Dita Von Teese and Ringo Starr. But not Dick Cavett, whose 1976 interviews provides a lot of her own narration.
John Lennon’s activism and the intense scrutiny by the FBI are the subject of the 2006 documentary “The U.S. vs. John Lennon” (Amazon, streaming) which resurfaces in another time of activism.
How are series finishing their seasons since the pandemic shut down production? “One Day at a Time” (Pop, 9:30 p.m.) animates its episode in which Gloria Estefan and Lin-Manuel Miranda guest star.
Betty realizes her life has been a sham on “Dirty John” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Here’s something unusual for prime time broadcast: A stand-up comedy special. “Marina Franklin: Single Black Female” (CW, 9 p.m.) was taped in Chicago.
Two episodes end the season for “Lost Gold of World War II” (History, 9 p.m.). Does this mean they’ll find it? Nah, probably not.
“America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and “World of Dance” (NBC, 10 p.m.) continue their auditions.
The reunion shows wind p on “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 8 p.m.)
“Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) is back for a new season. Wonder how the market is.
A 500-mile wide storm is a formidable problem on “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
On the third season premiere of “Siesta Key” (MTV, 8 p.m.), Amanda chooses sides.
Figures that “Stargirl” (CW, 8 p.m.) would go to a Halloween party; she’s already got the costume.
It’s also Halloween on the third season premiere of “Sweet Home Sextuplets” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
“Chopped” (Food, 9 p.m.) tries to make fish heads taste good.
“The Genetic Detective” (ABC, 10 p.m.) looks into a decades-old case of a murdered child in Indiana.
The Ann Sheridan salute on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Nora Prentiss” (8 p.m.), “The Unfaithful” (10 p.m.), “They Drive by Night” (midnight), “Shine on Harvest Moon” (1:45 a.m.), “The Opposite Sex” (3:45 a.m.) and “Navy Blues” (6 a.m.).
Earlier, this morning TCM has four films with Robert Ryan with “Gangway for Tomorrow” (6 a.m.), “The Boy with Green Hair” (7:15 a.m.), “Born to Be Bad” (8:45 a.m.) and “God’s Little Acre” (10:30 a.m.). This afternoon are three movies about tobacco: “Bright Leaf” (12:45 p.m.), “Parrish” (2:45 p.m.) and “Cold Turkey” (5:15 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Matt Bomer, Padma Lakshmi. The View: Philonise Floyd, Ben Crump, John Ridley. The Talk: Terry Crews, Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirripa. Ellen DeGeneres: Matthew MacFadyen, Avett Brothers. Kelly Clarkson: Jane Lynch, Deon Cole, Lawrence Zarian. Wendy Williams: LisaRaye McCoy, Celeste Barber (rerun). The Real: KJ Smith, Mignon, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, Kel Mitchell, Amanda Seales (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Hasan Minhaj, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. Jimmy Kimmel: Mark Ruffalo. Jimmy Fallon: Gwyneth Paltrow, Zachary Quinto, Alec Benjamin. Seth Meyers: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Black Pumas. James Corden: Kevin Bacon, Rita Wilson. Lilly Singh: Chrissy Metz, Marlena Rodriguez (rerun). Conan O’Brien: W. Kamau Bell (rerun).