‘Science’ makes for wry humor

Humor doesn’t get much more deadpan than “Look Around You” (9:40 p.m., BBC America), a new documentary-style comedy from Britain. This series finds dry hilarity in parodies of ancient science films and filmstrips from the 1970s.

Divided into topics including math, germs, water, etc., “Look” has the plodding pace and didactic tone of a science class film but is filled with patently absurd “information” presented as literal truth. The unflappable narrator teaches us that 45 billion is the largest conceivable number and that water boils at 1,000 degrees. Nitrogen pumped into simple H2O creates whiskey and, given enough time, ants will build their own igloos. While completely ridiculous, “Look” rarely goes over the top in search of easy laughs. It should appeal to fans of sly, subversive understatement.

  • There are 23 days until Christmas, so why is the Food Network broadcasting “12 Days of Cookies” (8 p.m., Food)? Does a cookie fast begin sometime around Dec. 17? “Cookies” shares the secrets of sweet and crumbly favorites, including citrus shortbreads, gingerbread cookies, white Christmas chocolate bark and cornmeal wreath cookies.

Tonight’s other highlights

  • Ryan and Seth go on a double date to a Killers concert on “The O.C.” (7 p.m., Fox).
  • Four fatalities tax the staff’s resources on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).
  • Blood in a school washroom is linked to a missing boy on “Without a Trace” (9 p.m., CBS).
  • A wounded policeman’s son is faced with a fateful decision on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).
  • Scheduled on “PrimeTime” (9 p.m., ABC): interviews with the cast of “Ocean’s Twelve.”

Late night

Tyra Banks and Lyle Lovett appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Robert Downey Jr., Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Alec Baldwin chats on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Michael Ian Black hosts Everclear on “The Late, Late Show” (11:37 p.m., CBS).