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"The Magnificent Voyage of Christopher Columbus" (8 p.m., PBS, check local listings) follows modern-day sailors as they re-create the 1492 voyage of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Along the way, we visit some of the Spanish towns that were home to the sailors and navigators of the adventure. After more than 500 years, descendants of his crew still trace their proud origins, and local musicians still sing of the voyage.

"Voyage" also drops in on the Canary Islands, the westernmost outpost of Spain in the late 15th century, where Columbus had the rudder of the Pinta repaired and, some say, got some romantic encouragement from a local aristocratic widow.

The first half of "Magnificent" follows the diaries of Columbus. The second half contemplates the impact and consequences of his trip to "the Indies."

As one expert opines here, Columbus' voyages initiated a transoceanic migration of people, animals, plants and diseases that affected just about everybody on the planet.

In other Columbus Day programming, historian Martin Dugard recalls the less-than-glorious decline of the great explorer on "Columbus: The Lost Voyage" (8 p.m., History).

¢ Host Richard Hammond test-drives a jet engine Vampire car on the British automotive series "Top Gear" (7 p.m., BBC America). He reaches more than 300 mph before crashing at more than 288 mph. But even this catastrophe and Hammond's recovery barely alters the show's irreverent tone. "Top Gear" combines savagely frank automotive reviews, test-drives and joking around in front of a studio audience.

The show has also made a name for itself by inviting celebrities, including Gordon Ramsay and Hugh Grant, to test their racing mettle in modest little cars. The segment, "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car," is the show's most popular. "Top Gear" manages to celebrate speed and muscle cars without losing its wit or descending into mindless product placement.

¢ A Tribe Called Quest is scheduled to take the stage along with honorees Snoop Dogg, Whodini, Missy Elliott, and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell at the fourth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" (9 p.m., VH1). Tracy Morgan ("30 Rock") hosts. The award ceremony will pay tribute to the hip-hop film "Wild Style."

¢ Perhaps viewers can follow the awards with a chaser of the contentious cartoon "Boondocks" (10:30 p.m., Cartoon Network). "Boondocks" enters its second 15-episode season filled with vitriolic satires of the excesses of hip-hop culture. Among the characters to emerge this season is a rapper named Thugnificent.

Tonight's highlights

¢ Chuck vies for a promotion on "Chuck" (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Lincoln receives a dire warning on "Prison Break" (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ Caruso feels out-bullied on "Everybody Hates Chris" (7 p.m., CW).

¢ A new painting foretells doom on "Heroes" (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Voodoo can be murder on "K-Ville" (9 p.m., Fox).

¢ Gary Cooper plays the magnificent and doomed Lou Gehrig in the 1942 sports biography "Pride of the Yankees" (9 p.m., TCM).

Cult choice

¢ After the death of his trainer (Burgess Meredith), the Philadelphia palooka (Sylvester Stallone) turns to ex-rival Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) to prepare for an opponent (Mr. T) in the 1982 drama "Rocky III" (6 p.m., Spike), arguably the best sequel of this exhausted franchise.