‘Nova’ looks at trainwrecks — real ones
The word “trainwreck” has taken on comic overtones. Used to describe people and even institutions who run consistently out of control, it was the title of a raucous 2015 Amy Schumer movie. But trainwrecks, accidents and rail crossing tragedies kill dozens of people every year.
Tonight’s “Nova” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) explores the physics behind train travel and explains why a lack of safety may be built into current train design. It also looks at new technology being developed to make rail travel safer. Of particular note are Japan’s bullet trains, which offer high-speed commuter travel and sport a perfect safety record. We meet with scientists and visionaries planning for the safer, faster and more reliable trains of tomorrow.
“Nature” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) rarely showcases a party out of bounds, but tonight’s “Spy in the Wild” segment has a fake monkey-cam capturing the bad behavior of primates engaged in a tipsy brawl over booze at a beachside bar. In another segment, a faux egret gets splattered during an elephantine mud fight.
MORE ‘CRIMES’
“Major Crimes” (9 p.m., TNT, TV-14) returns for the second “winter” half of its fifth season. This drama, a spinoff of “The Closer,” starring Mary McDonnell, will return for a sixth season.
THE ‘GODFATHER’
“Unsung” (8 p.m., TV One), the addictive musical biography series usually devoted to unheralded acts dwelling somewhere in the “where are they now?” pavilion, devotes a special hour to James Brown, arguably the most influential artist in the history of pop, R&B, soul and funk music.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
› Tattoos point to multiple possibilities on “Blindspot” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› High school football can be murder on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke star in the 2001 police drama “Training Day” (8 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., IFC), recently adapted into a CBS series starring Bill Paxton an* Justin Cornwell.
› Otis’ murder weighs heavily on the salon’s staff on “Star” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Cam’s clown reputation must be defended on “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Al Pacino and Robin Williams star in the 2002 thriller “Insomnia” (9 p.m., MoreMax).
› Sadie strives to keep things platonic on “Doubt” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› Undercover as a hit man on “Chicago P.D.” (10 p.m., NBC,
TV-14).
› Alec Baldwin hosts “Match Game” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
› The team mulls a risky rescue scenario on “Six” (10 p.m., History, TV-MA).
› David has more questions than answers on “Legion” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
› Liz looks for her estranged father (Peter Gallagher) on “Man Seeking Woman” (10:30 p.m., FXX, TV-MA).
› To surveillance with love on “Hunted” (8 p.m., CBS).
› A star is born on “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› A super-prison break on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› The red carpet treatment on “Speechless” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Evidence offers a bum steer on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› Fin reaches out to a fellow vet on “Law & Order: SVU” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› Abby needs answers on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› Valley of the dolls on “blackish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.