“Double Dare” on “Independent Lens” (9 p.m., PBS) looks at two women from two different generations working as female stunt doubles. Now a grandmother, Jeannie Epper once took falls and kicked butt for “Wonder Woman” star Lynda Carter. Now she worries about retirement and the dwindling number of roles for women older than 30.

Zoe Bell was Lucy Lawless’ stand-in on the syndicated series “Xena: Warrior Princess,” and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” films. She’s busy and brash, and not entirely aware of the female pioneers in her unusual field.

“Dare” uses the prism of female stunt doubles to present a feminist history of filmmaking, and show how Hollywood has grown more male-dominated during the decades. Silent films, released before women won the right to vote, regularly featured strong women who overcame physical hardships, family crises and economic plights. And these films not only starred women, including Mary Pickford, they employed stuntwomen and female writers and directors. How much has changed? According to this film, women directed fewer than 4 percent of Hollywood movies last year.

Other highlights

• Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle and Benicio Del Toro star in director Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 drug war epic “Traffic” (7 p.m., NBC).
• A patient legally refuses care on “House” (8 p.m., Fox).
• The crabs are biting for some on “Deadliest Catch” (8 p.m., Discovery).
• Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (9 p.m., CBS): A man wanted for murder pretends to be a reporter for The New York Times.

Late night

Jane Fonda and Bloc Party chat on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Sandra Bullock, ANT and Aimee Mann on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Vin Diesel, Fred Armisen and Low Millions are booked on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Rosie O’Donnell and Akiane Kramarik on “The Late, Late Show” (11:37 a.m., CBS).