Top of the world in ‘Everest Air,’ giraffes, too
Sitting on top of the world is an everyday occurrence for Jeff Evans. He’s an expert mountaineer and medic who leads rescue parties on Mount Everest, the Himalayan peak that rises 29,029 feet above sea level. He’s also the star of the six-part series “Everest Air” (10 p.m., Travel, TV-PG) that follows the reallife experiences and adventures of Evans and his skilled crew of Sherpas and helicopter pilots as they struggle to save climbers who have been injured or have gone astray. Everyone who attempts to conquer the summit pushes themselves to the limits of their strength and endurance. Sometimes the mountain wins.
While we’re on the theme of feeling above it all, “Nature” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) explores the mysterious world of giraffes. Among the world’s most popular creatures, giraffes remain an enigma. And like many species, they are in great jeopardy.
“Nature” profiles Dr. Julian Fennessy of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, an organization that has discovered many hitherto unknown facts about giraffes while seeking ways to save their dwindling population.
While following giraffes migrating through African deserts, the scientists were surprised by the fact that the animals never seemed to drink. Apparently, they get enough water from eating leaves. And their habit of nibbling on the fauna have made giraffes one of the world’s great pollinators and seed spreaders. I never thought of giraffes and bumblebees as having much in common until now. Thanks, “Nature.”
MORE ‘DEAD’
“Secrets of the Dead” (10 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) returns for a 16th season to explore the remarkably intact remains of a Bronze Age settlement dating back more than 3,000 years. Preserved in fetid water all of these years, the village was found at the site of a quarry and may change our understanding of the nature of civilization from that era by offering up secrets about ancient architecture and “city” planning. The presence of glass beads gives evidence of trade with tribes and cultures located far beyond the British Isles.
POLITICAL SAHL
“Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) welcomes Mort Sahl, a pioneer of political comedy. Long before Jon Stewart, David Letterman or “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live,” Sahl was mixing topicality and humor. He’s been around long enough to have influenced comedians including Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen. He was closely associated with President John F. Kennedy, who asked Sahl to write jokes for him. A full half-century ago, Sahl was a critic of television news, accusing the format of “spoon-feeding” the public.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
› Rich Dotcom returns on “Blindspot” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› The Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs meet in Game 2 of the World Series (8 p.m., Fox).
› Luke’s Halloween party fizzles on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC).
› Fire consumes a theater with a “haunted” reputation on “Code Black” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› YouTube filmmakers document primal forces of nature on the seventh season premiere of “Outrageous Acts of Science” (9 p.m., Science, TV-14).
› Narcotics found in a dead student’s backpack appear to be linked to a spate of overdoses on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› Kirkman mulls the use of force on “Designated Survivor” (10 p.m., ABC).
› Daniel adjusts to life in a group setting on the fourth and final season premiere of “Rectify” (10 p.m., Sundance, TV-14).
› Actors play re-enactors in the faux-reality horror series “American Horror Story: Roanoke” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
› A road trip for the wretched on “You’re the Worst” (10 p.m., FXX, TV-MA).
› Revelations and regret on “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS). ›
Adam nearly ruins Halloween on “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m., ABC).
› Oliver joins Lyla on a secret mission on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› Family traditions come under attack on “Speechless” (8:30 p.m., ABC).
› A walk in the woods with a serial killer on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› Rape charges roil the ranks on “Law & Order: SVU” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› A ticking clock, separated by two decades, on “Frequency” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› Mischief conjures memories on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC).