Nature: Raccoon Nation (8pm, UNC-TV) - A look at urban raccoons, which are commonplace in big cities like Toronto, New York and Chicago. Night-vision cameras and radio collars provide a glimpse of the raccoon lifestyle, and there's also a look at the damage the critters have done in Japan, where they were imported as pets during the 1970s. Includes comments from a biologist who believes city life is making raccoons even smarter (they will rule us one day!). I know they can be destructive, but man, how adorable are they???

Person to Person (8pm, CBS) - In this revival of CBS's iconic primetime interview show, Charlie Rose and Lara Logan, both of the new "CBS This Morning" (which is very good, by the way), interview newsmakers in their homes and workplaces. Tonight's interviews are with George Clooney, Warren Buffett, and Jon Bon Jovi.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The Hollywood Round begins. Finally.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Phil's preoccupation with a business opportunity blinds him to his new partner's inappropriate behavior around Claire.

Duke at North Carolina (9pm, WRAL) - You may not have heard anything about this, but it's happening. If you miss your normal CBS shows, WRAL will air "Criminal Minds" at 2 a.m. and "CSI: NY" at 3 a.m., which is a little different from their normal rebroadcast schedule. 

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - Birdies tell me some pivotal stuff goes down tonight, so pay attention. It may have something to do with the visit from Conrad's father, played by William Devane. Or it may not.

L&O: SVU (10pm, NBC) - Harry Connick Jr. is back. That is all.

An Independent Lens documentary on Civil Rights leader Daisy Bates begins airing on UNC-TV this week.

In "Daisy Bates: First Lady of Arkansas," filmmaker Sharon La Cruise presents an unflinching look at the strong but complicated woman who led the integration of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.

La Cruise uses archival news footage and old interviews with the charismatic Bates to tell the story, along with candid interviews with Bates' friends and Little Rock historians.  Some of the most striking interviews are with members of the Little Rock Nine who famously integrated the Little Rock Public School System.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Season 11 opens with auditions in Savannha, Georgia. Auditions will go on for quite awhile, with episodes airing on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Nova: 3D Spies of WWII (9pm, UNC-TV) - A WWII Allied initiative to locate Nazi rocket bases is recalled. The program brought together experts from British universities and Hollywood to study 3-D stereoscopic photos of German territory that had been shot specially by Spitfires.

Happy Endings (9:30pm, ABC) - Penny decides to stop adapting her lifestyle to the guys she dates and elects to change them to be more like her. Her first attempt is with a thirty-something slacker who still acts like a teenager. Also, Max and Alex try to get Dave to stop wearing v-neck t-shirts.

Law & Order: SVU (10pm, NBC) - A private military contractor CEO is sexually assaulted following a run-in with protesters, and as the case is investigated, links are made to a conspiracy in Iraq. Harry Connick Jr. (right) begins a guest arc playing Executive ADA David Haden, who is also Olivia's boyfriend.

Inside Nature's Giants (10pm, UNC-TV) - The first installment of a new four-part PBS series looks at the sperm whale. That's right, the show dissects -- as in, performs an autopsy on -- a 45-foot sperm whale. Future episodes will study the monster python, the great white shark, and big cats.

Revenge (10pm, ABC) - Daniel proposes to Emily and Nolan convinces Emily not to act hastily. Meanwhile, Charlotte is upset when she learns she must return to living under Victoria's roof.

Top Chef: Texas (10pm, Bravo) - The chefs create a gothic dish fit for a queen, but the plate must embody the essence of evil. Whatever that means. Guest judge is Charlize Theron.

Billy the Kid: American Experience (9pm, UNC-TV) - This one-hour documentary looks at the boy behind the myth of "Billy the Kid," who was born in New York City's slums to impoverished, Irish immigrant parents and became one of the most legendary outlaws in American history. Billy the Kid, aka Henry McCarty, was killed in 1881 by Lincoln County (New Mexico) sheriff Pat Garrett after escaping custody while awaiting his execution for the murder of the previous Lincoln County sheriff. The interesting profile includes remarks from Western historians and writers like Michael Wallis and Drew Gomber, and from former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.

Shipping Wars (9pm, A&E) - In the opener of a new series following seven independent shippers who carry items traditional shippers won't handle, like a steel horse weighing 4000 pounds and a huge Venus flytrap. A second episode airs at 9:30.

Celebrity Wife Swap (9pm, ABC) - The laid-back bride-to-be of Flavor Flav trades places with rocker Dee Snider's wife.

The Game (10pm, BET) - Season 5 opens with Melanie grappling with Derwin's accusations that she had an abortion. Meanwhile, Malik and Tasha deal with a drunken Jenna and a wild night comes back to haunt Jason.

Tabatha Takes Over (10pm, Bravo) - In the Season 4 premiere, Tabatha Coffey tries to revamp a salon in Minneapolis, which has an uncontrollable staff and an immature proprietress.

Parenthood (10pm, NBC) - Adam gets attention from a local newspaper and Crosby feels left out. Also, Amber tries to adapt to her new job and Sarah considers having another child.

Body of Proof (10pm, ABC) - A murder investigation strikes close to home when an undercover policeman is killed execution-style at a truck stop.

Roy Underhill, host of PBS's "The Woodwright's Shop," will appear at the kick-off for the Guardians of Angels Adoption Center campaign in downtown Pittsboro on Saturday. Underhill is the first Honorary Chairperson of the campaign.

The Guardians of Angels is a non-profit group dedicated to building an adoption center for dogs and cats in Pittsboro or Chatham County. Underhill, who has hosted his PBS show for three decades, is an avid animal lover who lives in Chatham County and has a wood shop in downtown Pittsboro.

Guardians of Angels organizer Terry Dorsey said Underhill accepted the role of Honorary Chairperson after talking it over with his dog.

Legends of Folk: The Village Scene (8pm, UNC-TV) - This PBS special looks at the folk music scene in New York's Greenwich Village during the 1960s. The Village was considered the epicenter of folk, folk rock, and singer songwriter movements, and shaped one of the most important periods in American music. Features rare performances by Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, John Denver, the Lovin' Spoonful, the Mamas and the Papas, Richie Havens, Judy Collins, Neil Diamond, Tim Hardin, and Peter, Paul and Mary. More information on the special from WGBH.

The Love We Make (9pm, Showtime) - This documentary chronicles Paul McCartney's poignant and cathartic journey through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the World Trade Center's destruction, and traces the planning and performance of the star-studded benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. "The Concert for New York City" took place less than six weeks after the terrorist attacks. Includes concert performances and behind-the-scenes footage. Directed by iconic documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles and his partner Bradley Kaplan, and shot in 16mm black and white. The film documents what Showtime calls McCartney's "personal journey to help heal the city that welcomed him with open arms in 1964."

Voices from Inside the Towers (9pm, History) - An aural account of what went on inside the World Trade Center Towers on September 11 includes the recordings of victims left on message machines, accounts by survivors, and families recalling the last words of loved ones.
 
Portraits from Ground Zero (10pm, A&E) - Photographer Andrea Booher interviews people she photographed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and asks them to recall the stories behind the images.

Beyond: Messages From 9/11 (10pm, BIO) - Family members of September 11 victims recall messages they've received from their deceased loved ones.

More September 11 specials listed here.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of a landmark moment in this country's civil right era, the 1961 Freedom Rides, during which more than 400 Americans traveled through the South on buses to challenge Jim Crow laws.

"Freedom Riders" (UNC-TV, 9 tonight) recounts this story, powerfully, retracing each arduous, inspirational, painful ,and ultimately successful step  on a journey that tested the notion of non-violent activism.

The documentary isn't always easy to watch, mostly because those interviewed have such vivid memories of what they experienced, what they lived through. Thus, the hatred, the fear, the courage, the determination, the moments of clarity and triumph feel so present. That also makes it a must watch.

Hollywood at Home (8pm, HGTV) - Celebrities offer tours of their homes and discuss their personal style. Featured: John Leguizamo, Lara Spencer, Trace Adkins, Evan Lysacek, Paul Shaffer, and Lisa Ling.

The Royal Wedding: The Encore and More (8pm, TLC) - If you were trapped in a mine for the past 36 hours, you can watch memorable moments from the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Includes interviews with guests who attended the wedding.

White House Correspondents Dinner (9pm, MSNBC, CSPAN) - Seth Meyers (right, 'Saturday Night Live') headlines the event, which usually features a comedic turn by the president. Journalists are also honored for their work and 18 Washington, D.C. students will receive college scholarships.

Marwencol (11pm, UNC-TV) - An Independent Lens documentary about Mark Hogancamp, a man who seeks recovery in Marwencol -- an incredible 1/6th scale World War II-era town he creates in his backyard -- after a vicious attack leaves him brain damaged and broke. Read more about Hogancamp and Marwencol at the Independent Lens site.

The PBS Kids Go! series 'Arthur' is helping kids get into Earth Day today with the launch of five brand new episodes about environmental protection, cultural awareness, and teamwork. 

The first episode airing is "Buster Baxter and the Letter from the Sea." In this episode, Buster discovers a message in a bottle on the beach while on vacation with the Read family and begins sending his own messages by throwing bottles into the ocean. Buster and Arthur ultimately learn that keeping the beaches and waterways clean is the real message.

Frontline offers another powerful investigation with "The Silence" (UNC-TV, 9 tonight), an examination of sexual abuse in the Catholic church.

It's a tough half-hour report showing the devastation left behind when three men who worked for the church along Alaska's far west coast in the late 1960s and early 1970s abused boys and girls, 80 percent of those who lived in the parish, pretty much an entire generation.

The abuse went on for years, leaving adults who grew up battling drugs and alcohol, but mostly fighting shame and anger.