‘Nova’ sheds more light on lightning
More than 200 years after Benjamin Franklin went kite flying during a thunderstorm, scientists are still trying to call down lightning to understand its origins and awesome power.
Lightning is just one of four natural phenomena examined with wit, whimsy and insight on “Nova Science Now” (7 p.m., KSPS), hosted by Robert Krulwich.
Some experts have posited new theories about the forces behind lightning strikes and have come to think that lightning may be “seeded” by forces and elements from outer space.
“Science Now” also looks at the ongoing controversy over research into artificial life, and practitioners of an amazing new branch of veterinary science who perform microsurgery on goldfish. The newsmagazine also updates and repeats a segment from last January that explored the potential for a catastrophic hurricane striking New Orleans.
Speaking of New Orleans, “A Walk in Your Shoes: Katrina’s Aftermath” (6 p.m., Noggin) looks at the natural disaster from a teenage perspective, following friends from Metairie, La., just outside of New Orleans. This special presents interviews with the teens just 10 days after the hurricane struck and then offers follow-up stories about their changed situations.
Two dance-team members talk about being separated and settled in different school districts, and two football players talk about trying to make it in new schools. A teenage couple torn apart by the storm doesn’t know when they will reunite or if their relationship can survive prolonged separation.
Two documentary series touch on the ongoing war on terror.
“Frontline” (9 p.m., KSPS) presents “The Torture Question,” a 90-minute chronology of efforts by both the White House and the Defense Department to change the rules of military conduct to aggressively question Afghan and Iraqi detainees and how this policy may have resulted in the well-documented prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib.
FBI agents interviewed here contend that the tactics employed were not merely immoral, they were inept and counterproductive. A brutalized subject, says one expert, is rarely a source of “good intelligence.”
In fact, the agency was so appalled by the military’s tactics that it not only refused to assist in interrogations, it began to create a legal “paper trail” to protect the FBI from prosecution for what it perceived as highly illegal activities.
Other highlights
With the American League pennant race decided, look for episodes of “Bones” (8 p.m., Fox) and “House” (9 p.m., Fox).
While asking about Rory, Richard gets an earful on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).
Giovanni Ribisi guest-stars as an incorrigible old friend on “My Name is Earl” (9 p.m., NBC).
A summit and state dinner put the first couple on the spot on “Commander in Chief” (9 p.m., ABC).
Prosecuting a soccer-mom madam on “Close to Home” (10 p.m., CBS).
A murder trail leads close to home for Fin on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
A politician faces litigation for failing to keep his promises on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
Exposed to radiation, a suburban husband shrinks at a steady rate in the 1957 sci-fi classic “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (5 p.m., Turner Classic Movies). A rare shocker that transcends the merely scary to pose probing questions about the nature of life and reality.
Series notes
Identity theft on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS) … Caroline Rhea hosts “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC) … Tall tales on “According to Jim” (8 p.m., ABC) … Tyra Banks hosts “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN).
Gender confusion on “Rodney” (8:30 p.m., ABC).
Globe-trotting on “The Amazing Race: Family Edition” (9 p.m., CBS) … Big hair dreams for Charlie on “Sex, Love & Secrets” (9 p.m., UPN) … A shape-shifter takes on a tiny town on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., WB) … Terminations on “The Office” (9:30 p.m., NBC).