Josh Fox’s first “Gasland” film set the tone for the fight against fracking for natural gas with its indelible images of contaminated tap water going up in flames. It also helped make “fracking” one of the most used new words in the vocabulary.
Much of “Gasland, Part II” (HBO, 9 p.m.) serves as an update to the first, in terms that range from disheartening to alarming. Despite some advances – some initial reaction from state environmental departments in Pennsylvania, a case that makes the connection between fracking and water contamination that companies have long denied — there are more setbacks usually fueled by unending dollars of the industry, buying off politicians and public opinion, suing those who complain, insisting on gag orders in payment settlements for those who’ve been harmed.
It’s a message that demands to be seen, even if it seems insidious forces (including using psy-ops forces turning public opinion and its own domestic spying) are overwhelming. That the film ends with the filmmaker in handcuffs, attempting only to film a public hearing, leaves its own indelible image in increasingly corporate America.
Another strong documentary tonight on “POV” (PBS, 10 p.m.) shows the interaction between an artist, Jackie Sumell, and the man who has spent nearly 40 years in solitary confinements. Through interaction with him she gets him to imagine where he would live if he weren’t in lockdown. “The House that Herman Built” by Angad Sing Bhalla, closely and humanely documents the project.
Bear Grylls moves to network television with his latest show, in which he takes the role of Jeff Probst. In “Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls” (NBC, 9 p.m.) he leads 20 contestants through deepest New Zealand and puts them through competitions. It will help make more confusing the show that follows, “Siberia” (NBC, 10 p.m.), a scripted drama about reality show survivalists.
Along these lines, “Dangerman: The Incredible Mr. Goodwin” (BBC America, 10 p.m.) follows the Houdini-inspired stunts supercharged for a modern audience. So he’s escaping from handcuffs while dangling from a helicopter, or with a scorpion in his mouth. He’s hanging from tall buildings, buried alive and lifts cars before small audiences of one or two who never cease to be amazed. The fact he goes through several of these tricks quite quickly makes him a bit more entertaining than similar performers.
It all sets the stage for the 20th season start of “Top Gear” (BBC America, 8:30 p.m.), which begins with a car race against a yacht.
While on Madeira island, Portugal, it’s time to pick who gets the hometown visits on “The Bachelorette” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“American Ninja Warrior” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has a qualifying round in Baltimore.
Air travel has pretty much been suspended “Under the Dome” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The new “Gods, Guns & Automobiles” (History, 10 p.m.) seems to have mostly to do with the latter, specifically a car dealership in a tiny Missouri town.
The new “Kentucky Bidders” (truTV, 10 p.m.) follows another group of regional auction aficionados.
Both “The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report” are off all week, replaced with a combination of movies and standup specials. Tonight, that’s “Hot Tub Time Machine” (Comedy Central, 9 p.m.) and “Daniel Tosh: Completely Serious” (Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies is spending its Mondays running full length “Tonight Show” interviews conducted with Hollywood stars mostly through the 70s and 80s by Johnny Carson. Tonight’s array of “Carson on TCM” (8 p.m.) starts with Doris Day and continues with Charlton Heston, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Tony Curtis, followed by a Curtis classic, “Some Like It Hot” (9 p.m.).
In baseball, Washington at Philadelphia (ESPN, 7 p.m.) gets a national audience.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Olivia Munn, Cory Booker, Andrea Arden. The View: Alyssa Milano, Michael B. Jordan. The Talk: Allison Janney, Pat Neely. Ellen DeGeneres: Shakira, Bethenny Frankel (rerun). Wendy Williams: Mark Feurstein.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Michael Cera. Jay Leno: Charlie Day, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lionel Richie. Jimmy Kimmel: Mary Louise-Parker, Idris Elba, Rhye. Jimmy Fallon: Jeff Daniels, Nick Swardson, Jeff Musial, Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Craig Ferguson: Heather Locklear, Louie Anderson. Craig Ferguson: Heather Locklear, Louie Anderson. Tavis Smiley: Michael Oren, Sugarhill Gang. Conan O’Brien: Armie Hammer, Angie Harmon, Bret Morin. Chelsea Handler: Ciara, dan Levy, Heather McDonald, Kurt Braunohler (rerun).