‘Earth’ to viewers: a bit of nostalgia

A once common TV treat that has all but vanished from the broadcast calendar, the big-budget miniseries, returns tonight with “The Pillars of the Earth” (10 p.m., Starz, TV-MA). Based on the first novel by Ken Follett and produced by Tony and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, the eight-part “Pillars” makes the most of a $40 million budget by using Eastern European locations to evoke 12th-century England.

Fans of old-fashioned miniseries will not be disappointed. There’s a reason both Hollywood and television made a habit of adapting really big books. “Pillars of the Earth” has sold 14 million copies in more than 30 languages. If only a tiny fraction of those readers tune in, then Starz will be very happy. And call me old-fashioned, but it’s nice to see a movie or a mini based on a real book and not a video game, an old TV show or a theme-park ride.

Shark-attack survivors compare evasive maneuvers on “Escaping The Great White” (9 p.m., National Geographic).

David Beckham, Mickey Rourke, Jackie Chan and Roxy Music appear on “Friday Night With Jonathan Ross” (6:30 p.m., BBC America, TV-14).

Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (8 p.m., CBS, r): a kidnapped mother and daughter are rigged with explosives and forced to rob a bank.

A frustrated scientist’s rage may be contagious on “Eureka” (9 p.m., Syfy).

Paul McCartney and Bruce Willis appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jay Leno welcomes Rachel Weisz, Tony Robbins and Gaslight Anthem on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … January Jones and Rick Ross chat on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Mindy Kaling, Paulina Porizkova and MGMT on “The Late Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).