‘Brainman’ looks at numbers whiz
Is superintelligence a gift or a curse? Many people who are considered autistic have an incredible ability to focus on music, math, art and other subjects but have little or no social skills.
“Brainman” (8 p.m., The Science Channel) spends an hour with 23-year-old Daniel Tammet, a highly functioning savant. He has many of the traits of autism but is perfectly able to describe his remarkable relationship with numbers and language.
During the course of “Brainman,” Tammet astounds a series of skeptics with his ability to do complex calculations in his head. His answers take the calculations to decimal points far beyond the scope of common calculators or even computers.
He made news recently when he spent five hours reciting pi to the 22,500th decimal point, a feat one witness described as a “near-religious experience.” After a battery of random tests with neurological researchers, Tammet took on more street-smart challengers, including New York chess hustlers and a Las Vegas blackjack dealer.
Along the way, he shared an afternoon with Kim Peek, the autistic savant and inspiration for Dustin Hoffman’s “Rain Man” character.
In a final astounding test, he set out to learn the Icelandic language in just seven days before appearing on a live talk show in Reykjavik to converse with the hosts in their native tongue.
Tammet’s remarkable abilities first manifested themselves at the age of 4, after he suffered a series of violent seizures. Some scientists theorize that these events “rewired” his neurons in a way that connected the area governing numerical ability with the part of the brain that deals with feelings and perception. Tammet claims to “see” and “feel” numbers as palpable objects and even comforting friends.
Some appear as flashing light while others sound like water rushing over rocks. Experts theorize that Tammet is among a few dozen savants on Earth with such advanced abilities, and a rare genius who can actually discuss his remarkable gift.
“Project Runway” (9 p.m., Bravo), the only reality show still worth watching, comes down to a three-hour finale in which the three finalists compete at a New York fashion show.
Industrial designers have $4,500 and three days to cobble together the ultimate refrigerator for a fraternity house in California on “Fantastic Frat Fridge” (8 p.m., National Geographic Channel).
“The Catherine Tate Show” (8:40 p.m., BBC America) presents a rising star of UK television known for her many daft characters.
Other highlights
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (8 p.m., CBS): a 4-year-old artist; Jesse James of “Monster Garage” fame.
Sifting evidence from a wreck on “Crossing Jordan” (8 p.m., NBC).
Michael accuses Jim of ruining the raft on “Lost” (8 p.m., ABC).
A new candidate (Mel Harris, “thirtysomething”) shakes up the primary picture on “The West Wing” (9 p.m., NBC).
Viewers vote on “American Idol” (9 p.m., Fox).
Sydney takes on an old foe on “Alias” (9 p.m., ABC).
Death on the docks on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).
A Manhattan homicide is linked to a hunting-party massacre on “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC).
Racial assumptions questioned on “Wife Swap” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
Peter Fonda and Susan George star in the 1974 heist caper “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry” (5 p.m., Fox Movie Channel).
Series notes
Jackie freezes up on camera on “That ‘70s Show” (8 p.m., Fox) … Missy Elliot hosts “The Road to Stardom” (8 p.m., UPN) … A trip to China on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … Interns out of control on “The Simple Life” (8:30 p.m., Fox).
Doug meets his old coach (Burt Reynolds) on “King of Queens” (9 p.m., CBS) … A frank talk about custody on “Kevin Hill” (9 p.m., UPN) … Grace and Tom cause controversy on “Jack & Bobby” (9 p.m., WB) … A prescription for sensitivity on “Yes, Dear” (9:30 p.m., CBS).