“Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed” on “P.O.V.” (9 p.m., PBS) recalls the quixotic 1972 presidential campaign of Brooklyn congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The very first black woman ever to serve in Congress, Chisholm joined a crowded list of challengers to then-sitting President Richard Nixon.

The film does a good job of recalling a bygone era in presidential politics when the Democratic field encompassed the entire political spectrum, from George McGovern on the left to Henry “Scoop” Jackson in the center to George Wallace on the right.

The film was completed before Chisholm’s death last month. In it, the former congresswoman recalls some of the triumphs and tribulations of being a pioneer.

She wasn’t surprised that her presidential candidacy was treated with condescension by the press. When she announced her bid, Walter Cronkite reported, “A new hat, rather a bonnet, had been thrown into the ring.” But Chisholm still seems sensitive to the lack of support from apparent friends. The male-dominated black-power movement and Congressional Black Caucus failed to endorse her. She also didn’t attract the backing of feminists like Rep. Bella Abzug (D-N.Y.) or writer Gloria Steinem, who supported antiwar candidate George McGovern instead.

Chisholm contends that her point was to win delegates and arrive at the convention as more than just a symbol.

• “Building the Alaska Highway” on “American Experience” (8 p.m., PBS) recalls an audacious engineering project completed during the darkest hours of World War II. In the weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans on both coasts felt vulnerable to German U-boat attacks and threats of Japanese military strikes. The vast territory of Alaska seemed particularly under-defended.

To secure Alaska and defend America’s Northwest, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed building a 1,500 mile road through the Canadian Rockies, much of which was sub-Arctic wilderness never before explored or mapped.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Ray’s offhand comment to a small fry shocks many on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
• Jack and Heller go mole hunting on “24” (8 p.m., Fox).
• Gail O’Grady, Grant Show and Chelsea Hobbs star in the cable sequel “More Sex & the Single Mom” (8 p.m., Lifetime).
• Allison gets bad vibrations from a Good Samaritan on “Medium” (9 p.m., NBC).

Late night

Will Smith and Eva Longoria appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Kirstie Alley and Jamie Kennedy on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC) … Tracy Morgan appears on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:05 p.m., ABC).

Christopher Walken and Wilco chat “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Star Jones Reynolds and Imelda Staunton on “The Late, Late Show” (11:37 p.m., CBS).