‘Black, White’ simply too much
In the new reality/documentary series “Black. White.” (10 p.m., FX), two families, one white and one black, submit to extensive special effects to pass as members of another race. The families share a single house and help each other understand the experience.
Brian Sparks, a black man, finds life changes quickly when he becomes white. His wife, Renee, laughs in his face and tells him she no longer finds him remotely attractive.
Brian goes to a golf club/driving range, where he finds white duffers much more friendly.
He’s really surprised when a shoe-store salesman gets down on his knees and slips Brian’s foot into a shoe and laces it up. No one had ever done that for him when he was black.
Bruno and his wife, Carmen, take their transformation into blackness with an earnest righteousness that proves immediately and continually annoying.
“Black. White.” probably would work better as a 90-minute film than a multipart reality show. For obvious reasons, none of the participants seems entirely comfortable in his or her new skin, and the burden of being part of an experiment grows wearisome for all, audience included.
In the documentary “All We Are Saying” (8 p.m., Showtime), Rosanna Arquette interviews more than 50 musicians about work, life and changes to the music business. The result is a quick roundup of short clips from what might have been fascinating conversations, digested here to sound bites.
David Crosby seems most disgusted by the clueless corporate ownership of the industry. Joni Mitchell mourns the decline of rock journalism.
Steven Tyler regrets the loss of value to his song catalog due to illegal downloading. Tom Petty and Elton John discuss the destructive side of life on the road.
Chrissie Hynde recalls trying to “rock” on stage while wearing a nursing bra. Debby Harry and Stevie Nicks discuss their decision to not have children, while Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon joke about their daughter and her wish that her parents made more popular and accessible music.
Other highlights
The remaining men warble on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox).
Kate and Sawyer tangle over a briefcase on a repeat “Lost” (9 p.m., ABC) from last season.
Something strange in the water on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).
Mariel comes clean on “Invasion” (10 p.m., ABC).
A winner emerges on “Project Runway” (10 p.m., Bravo).
The new 13-part series “NASCAR Driven to Win” (7 p.m., Biography) profiles young racers.
Wannabes compete in a San Francisco eatery on “Top Chef” (11 p.m., Bravo).