History happens to the nicest people. Who knew that comedian Billy Crystal’s eccentric uncle had several rendezvous with destiny, or that Crystal’s daughter Lindsay would emerge as a credible and often moving filmmaker?

Lindsay Crystal decided to make “My Uncle Berns” (6:30 p.m., HBO) after the attacks on the World Trade Center, located only one block from her 88-year-old great uncle’s Bernhardt’s nursing home. Best known as her father’s artistic and forever joking uncle, his story is as varied and tragic as the American Century, as Lindsay soon learns.

“Uncle Berns” could easily have been dismissed as a home movie by and about the family of a famous celebrity. But Lindsay Crystal brings an intelligence and affection to her subject that makes her film compelling.

“Berns” also makes the obvious, but often ignored, point that the elderly have amazing stories to tell, and that history truly comes alive when we simply listen.

• Lyle Lovett narrates “Lost Highway” (CMT) a five-hour, four-part, two-night comprehensive history of country music made for the BBC. Part one (7 p.m.) celebrates the bluegrass roots of country with a particular emphasis on the Carter family, whose late 1920s recordings brought the songs, sound and guitar techniques of the Kentucky mountain people to a national audience.

Part II (8:15 p.m., CMT) covers the rise of Nashville and brief, brilliant career of Hank Williams. Filled with period films and photos, interviews with surviving legends and commentary by contemporary artists, “Lost Highway” is must viewing for fans of country music and anybody interested in a uniquely American popular culture.

Tonight’s other highlights

• A houseguest faces eviction on “Big Brother 5” (7 p.m., CBS).
• Adam Sandler stars in the 2000 comedy “Little Nicky” (7 p.m., Fox).
• A rebellious adolescent goes to great lengths to be popular in the 2003 drama “Thirteen” (7:15 p.m., Cinemax), starring Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood.
• Jay Mohr is host of “Last Comic Standing” (8 p.m., NBC).
• Scheduled on “Primetime” (9 p.m., ABC): a health care insurer that defrauded its customers; an interview with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.

Late night

Jada Pinkett Smith and Dax Sheppard appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno greets Kim Basinger, Mark Ruffalo and Jamie Cullum on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC) … Christine Taylor, Don Novello and Kanye West appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:05 p.m., ABC).