‘American Experience’ recalls Amazon adventure
Welcome to the jungle. “American Experience” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-14) embarks on its 30th anniversary season with “Into the Amazon.” The two-hour film documents the remarkable 1914 expedition led by former President Theodore Roosevelt into an uncharted area of Brazilian wilderness, accompanied by legendary Brazilian explorer Candido Mariano Da Silva Rondon and six Americans, including Roosevelt’s son Kermit.
The journey began as Roosevelt was still recovering from his defeat in the 1912 presidential election, when the former president challenged his own Republican party and anointed successor, William Howard Taft. During the campaign, Roosevelt was shot by a would-be assassin and went on to deliver a long speech, still bleeding from the bullet.
Despite his reputation for determination and vigor, the Amazon expedition would prove too much for Roosevelt and his entourage. At one point, it seemed the former president and Rough Rider would die on the river.
The long, harrowing trip up the ominously named “River of Doubt” also highlighted the differences in attitudes between Roosevelt and Rondon. Roosevelt believed in Anglo-Saxon superiority and the need to civilize “savage” peoples. Rondon was a pacifist and defender of native culture and traditions. Once, when beset with hostile tribesmen, he serenaded them with recordings of Enrico Caruso, played on his portable Victrola. The idea of subduing naked would-be foes with opera in the middle of unexplored rainforest is one of the more exotic and cinematic images to emerge from this film.
That said, the documentary has problems. As there is scant moving-picture record of the Roosevelt-Rondon expedition, almost all of “Into the Amazon” unfolds as reenactments, presented in a lush black and white. That, combined with nothing but voice-overs and talkinghead interviews, gives this film a dreamlike quality that some may find enchanting, others more than slightly soporific.
Oliver Platt narrates. Alec Baldwin provides the voice of Theodore Roosevelt.
ALL-STAR INKERS
“Ink Master” (10 p.m., Spike, TV-14) enters its 10th season doing what all long-running reality shows do. It’s recycling “allstars” from past seasons.
Note: Spike will change its name to the Paramount Network later this month.
MODEL BEHAVIOR
While we’re discussing long-running reality shows, Tyra Banks returns to host the 24th season of “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., VH1, TV-PG).
IMMIGRATION DRAMA
“The Fosters” (8 p.m., Freeform, TV-14) enters the second half of its fifth and final season with Ximena and Callie seeking asylum.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› A therapist needs a good defense on “Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› An unscheduled family gathering on “This Is Us” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› Gaming culture can be murder on “NCIS: New Orleans” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› Sarah must subdue a patient on “Chicago Med” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› A shy student needs a prod on “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
› A woman’s apparent suicide seems out of character on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› “Ellen’s Game of Games” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
*› Riggs reminisces on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Having a job makes Axl appreciate Mike on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› DC characters cross over on repeats of “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› Nicole changes her stripes on “Fresh Off the Boat” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Stiff competition on “LA to Vegas” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Ruby shows her will on “blackish” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Sabrina sabotages her college interview on “The Mick” (9:30 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Courtney faces the rumor mill on “The Mayor” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.