Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns returns to a familiar theme with his latest four-hour, two-night documentary, “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson” (8 p.m., PBS, concludes Tuesday). Over the past two decades, in films on topics as diverse as Thomas Jefferson, the Civil War, jazz and baseball, Burns has focused on the theme of race and racism in American history, a topic he considers essential to the American narrative and character.

A larger-than-life character, black boxer Jack Johnson both embodies and transcends American racial attitudes. The first two hours of “Johnson” focus on his rise in the ranks of heavyweight boxers, and his long and often frustrating attempts to get a succession of white heavyweight champions to accept his challenge. According to the peculiar mores of the time, racial supremacy could only be ensured if white boxing champions refused to compete with black contenders. And, in a further reversal of logic, the very white boxers who refused to fight Johnson accused him of having a cowardly “yellow” streak.

Johnson’s eventual success in the ring against white heavyweights further incensed his detractors. Upon winning the championship in 1908, a search for a “great white hope” produced a parade of pale palookas that Johnson dispatched with ease.

The series’ final two hours concentrate on Johnson’s demise at the hands of federal agents who arrested him on morals charges. Johnson’s brazen pursuit of happiness, and his taste for fast cars and white women, proved too much for his critics, both black and white. Johnson would eventually flee the United States for Canada, Europe and Cuba.

While explicitly about race, “Johnson” also explores the incendiary power of film. Beginning in 1908, all of Johnson’s bouts were filmed. In fact, movie rights to his fights were a big part of his purse. But the moving image of a black man pummeling a white boxer proved explosive. After Johnson won the heavyweight title, race riots exploded across the country, leaving hundreds dead and inspiring legislation banning the distribution of boxing movies.

“Johnson” also evokes the popular racism of the period with a discussion of D.W. Griffith’s 1915 box-office smash “Birth of a Nation,” a cinematic celebration of the Ku Klux Klan that was screened before an audience at the White House, including President Woodrow Wilson, his entire cabinet and the entire Supreme Court. Wilson praised the racist film as “history written with lightning.” Supreme Court Justice Edward D. White loved the movie, too. But, of course, he had been a member of the Klan.

“Johnson” does a great job of conveying the brazen originality of its character. But it does an even better job of recalling the brutal prejudice of his times, a fact that makes Jack Johnson’s story all the more audacious and inspiring.

• Edward Hermann narrates “The French Revolution” (8 p.m., History), a two-hour look at one of the pivotal social upheavals in history. “Revolution” combines cinematic reenactments with informed interviews, sumptuous period art, and a powerful, if often intrusive, musical soundtrack. A very impressive survey history, “Revolution” features much higher production values than the average History Channel offering.
• Omar threatens Audrey to pressure Heller on “24” (8 p.m., Fox). Is it too early to start the Chloe fan club? What other show would feature such a scowling, eye-rolling and thoroughly miserable heroine? I love her.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Ray needs picking up after on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (8 p.m., CBS).
• A wayward guest threatens the casino’s reputation on “Las Vegas” (8 p.m., NBC).
• VH1 asks audiences to flash back to the trivia of the recent past in the five-night special “I Love the ’90s: Part Deux” (8 p.m., VH1, nightly through Friday).
• A skeptic takes on Allison on “Medium” (9 p.m., NBC).
• Imported domestic advice on the premiere of “Supernanny” (9 p.m., ABC).

Series notes

A fat guy and his gorgeous wife crack wise on “Still Standing” (7 p.m., CBS) … Moms from Minn. and Tenn. switch domiciles on “Trading Spouses” (7 p.m., Fox) … Moving on up on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: How’d They Do That?” (7 p.m., ABC) … A “Freaky Friday”-inspired episode of “One on One” (7 p.m., UPN) … The pressures of paternity on “7th Heaven” (7 p.m., WB).

Friction with the neighbors on “Listen Up” (7:30 p.m., CBS) … Spencer finds some dangerous talent on “Half & Half” (7:30 p.m., UPN).

Maya quits her job on “Girlfriends” (8 p.m., UPN) … Stressed-out on “Everwood” (8 p.m., WB) … The earth moves for Alan on “Two and a Half Men” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … A clash of styles on “Second Time Around” (8:30 p.m., UPN) … The city goes on alert after a cop is slain on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).

Late night

Xzibit performs on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Simon Cowell and Minnie Driver on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC) … Sarah Ferguson and Jorge Garcia appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:05 p.m., ABC).

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Steve Irwin and The Indigo Girls share the couch on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Renee Fleming and Mos Def on “The Late, Late Show” (11:37 p.m., CBS).