Tonight’s schedule offers two exceptional films about life, society and community. And, as it happens, both documentaries are about skating.
“POV” presents the 2018 documentary “Minding the Gap” (9 p.m., PBS, check local listings). It follows three young men — friends of the filmmaker — as they skateboard their way around Rockford, Illinois. It shows the boys growing up and expressing themselves about a greater society that appears indifferent to their existence.
“Gap” offers a rich and occasionally painful look at what it’s like to grow up as a young man right now. It explores deep themes of masculinity, conformity and alienation without ever indulging in theory.
Most of all, it’s an invitation to spend time with this small gang of skaters. Just to hang out. “Gap” is director Bing Liu’s first film. It is nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary and has been described by critics as “an astonishing debut.”
— “United Skates” (8 p.m., HBO) offers an eye-opening look at the role of skating rinks in African-American culture.
Hip-hop legends Salt-N-Pepa, Coolio and Vin Rock of Naughty by Nature and World Class Wreckin’ Cru explain how skating was the center of their world and a place their parents and grandparents all but raised them.
The documentary reveals how regions have developed different skating styles in ways similar to the variations in hip-hop music found in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or Atlanta.
“Skates” is clearly a film about African-American culture, but it touches on a theme that transcends race. Over the past half-century, Americans have lost humble commercial places to gather, like the corner tavern, fraternal organizations, bowling alleys and drive-ins.
“Skates” chronicles how roller rinks have been threatened by gentrification, zoning changes and rising real estate values. The closing of these spots affects more than skating. In the 1980s and ‘90s, skating centers in Los Angeles were among the only places that rival gangs considered neutral ground.
— Acorn begins streaming “The Oldenheim Twelve,” a 12-part Dutch drama about a town torn apart by a series of disappearances.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— A winner is crowned on the season finale of “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
— Seizures send Barnett to the ER on “The Resident” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
— Colton returns home to Denver with seven women in tow on “The Bachelor” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
— Shelter dogs get their moment in the spotlight on night two of the 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (8 p.m., Hallmark).
— Magnum’s ex is back and up to no good on “Magnum P.I.” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— An escaped “viral” sparks a red alert on “The Passage” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
— Considered “simple,” an Alabama man (Tom Hanks) shows up during historical events of his times in the cloying 1994 fantasy “Forrest Gump” (9 p.m., Paramount, TV-14).
— A mentor needs help with a sensitive case on “Bull” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— New parallels emerge between passengers on the season finale of “Manifest” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— Shaun’s blunt approach puts his career at risk on “The Good Doctor” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
— “The Secret History of Air Force One” (10 p.m., History) looks at the iconic plane’s role in American history.
CULT CHOICE
A teen (Katie Holmes) finds that her dating life means evading the Secret Service in the 2004 comedy “First Daughter” (9 p.m., HBO Family). Directed by Forest Whitaker. Not to be confused with “My Date With the President’s Daughter,” starring Will Friedle and Dabney Coleman.
SERIES NOTES
Piano lessons on “The Neighborhood” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Oliver makes a fateful choice on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, r, TV-14) … Sticking up for a sibling on “Man With a Plan” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Fever and chills on “Black Lightning” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-14).
LATE NIGHT
Bing Liu sits down on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) … Tom Hanks appears on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) … Jake Tapper, Amy Sedaris and The Claypool Lennon Delirium are on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Ben Stiller, Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Shaffer and Wallows on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC).
John Oliver, Tatiana Maslany, St. Paul and the Broken Bones and Jeff Friedl visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Mahershala Ali, Aaron Sorkin, Julia Michaels and Niall Horan appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
(Kevin McDonough can be reached at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.)
