Before 1975, nobody in America had ever heard of “rich Corinthian leather.” But that year Chrysler hired screen veteran Ricardo Montalban to be the spokesman for their new luxury sedan, the Cordoba. The rest is advertising history. The debonair actor is profiled on “Ricardo Montalban: Pride and Passion,” a new installment of “Biography” (7 p.m., A&E).

Born in Mexico City in 1920, Montalban became one of Hollywood’s leading romantic actors during the 1940s. Montalban made a big impression in the 1942 drama “Five Were Chosen” with Frances Farmer, and won a Mexican Academy Award for the drama “Santa” made in his native land. In the 1970s, Montalban starred as the supernatural steward of “Fantasy Island,” a guilty-pleasure hit that ran for six seasons on ABC. He would also appear frequently on another Aaron Spelling production, “Dynasty II: The Colbys.” But Montalban’s most memorable role was as the title villain in the 1983 space drama “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”

Love him or loathe him, Ted Turner is always good for a controversial quote. The media entrepreneur speaks with Mike Wallace on “60 Minutes II” (8 p.m., CBS). Last week Turner announced that he would walk away from AOL Time Warner, the media empire that swallowed his media empire.

Tonight’s other highlights

• T’Pol contracts an incurable disease associated with Vulcan outcasts on “Enterprise” (7 p.m., UPN).
• The audience has its say on “American Idol” (7:30 p.m., Fox).
• Foreign intrigue roils as Bartlet pens his inaugural address on “The West Wing” (8 p.m., NBC).
• Bernie makes a bad impression on Wanda’s boss (Wesley Snipes) on “The Bernie Mac Show” (8 p.m., Fox).
• “The Bachelorette” (8 p.m., ABC) remains a torture to watch.
• Scheduled on “48 Hours Investigates” (8 p.m., CBS): new details emerge about the death of billionaire financier Edmond Safra.

Series notes

Bob Barker is host of “The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular” (7 p.m., CBS) … Eli’s pal faces a murder rap on “Ed” (7 p.m., NBC) … Jackie is jealous on “That ’70s Show” (7 p.m., Fox) … Dawson networks at Audrey’s rehab clinic on “Dawson’s Creek” (7 p.m., WB) … A rapper loses touch with reality on “The Twilight Zone” (8 p.m.) … A lost soul on “Angel” (8 p.m., WB) … Variety follies on “Cedric the Entertainer Presents” (8:30 p.m., Fox) … Elimination on “Celebrity Mole Hawaii” (9 p.m., ABC).

Late night

Kelsey Grammer appears on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno welcomes former Gov. Jesse Ventura, Luke Wilson and Kasey Chambers on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Dave Attell and Chuck Barris are scheduled on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Andrew McCarthy appears on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (11:37 p.m., CBS).