A school of thought exists that names determine our destiny and that someone named Jimmy Quick is fated to become a track star or a bike messenger or a fast-talking operator. Marshall Brain appears to have lived up to his moniker. He’s the author of the popular book “How Stuff Works” and acts as host on the new series “Who Knew? with Marshall Brain” (8 p.m., National Geographic).

“Who Knew?” offers the curious a new variation on an underrated pastime: the factory tour. Clearly aimed at guys with a penchant for speed, sport and explosives, the first installment visits a Tennessee boat works where men and robots fabricate speedboats out of fiberglass and plastic resin that can hold up to 12 passengers and still move at a quick clip. From there, we proceed to a golf-ball factory in Massachusetts and discover that there are golf balls for every duffer’s strength and weakness. Apparently, it’s all about the stuff they squeeze beneath the dimples.

The show concludes at a very low-tech fireworks facility located in Pennsylvania. The very machinery that might speed up production could also create friction, fire and a fatal explosion, so the rockets’ red glare is fabricated the old-fashioned way, with wood, paper, cardboard, string, gunpowder and chemicals. Every holiday rocket and bomb is assembled by hand. Workers must rub their hands against a grounded copper device that removes static charges. But viewers will get a charge out of this thoroughly 18th-century production facility.

Clearly aimed at the guy demographic, “Who Knew?” faces some manly competition, including a repeat of “Ax Men” (7 p.m., History), two episodes of “American Chopper “(7 p.m. and 8 p.m., TLC) and six episodes of “How it’s Made” (7 p.m. through 10 p.m., Discovery).

¢ In a week that’s already seen “High School Reunion” and a gathering of “Bachelor” studs of the past, we’re now offered a reunion of the recent cast of “Celebrity Rehab” (9 p.m., VH1). Just how is the gang coping, or maintaining, out of the reach of Dr. Drew? This all leaves us with the question: Is this series addictively depressing or merely depressingly addictive?

¢ The animated satire “Lil’ Bush” (9:30 p.m., Comedy Central) is astoundingly juvenile and unfunny. It takes very little courage to lampoon an unpopular president in his last year in office.

Tonight’s other highlight

¢ On two episodes of “My Name is Earl” (NBC), the warden pulls a fast one (7 p.m.), freedom irks Earl (7:30 p.m.).

¢ On two episodes of “Lost” (ABC), Juliet’s past resurfaces (7 p.m.), revelations about Jin and Sun (8 p.m.).

¢ A client works Dr. Heather into a near-death experience on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ Contestants invent and market a sandwich on “Celebrity Apprentice” (8 p.m., NBC). Can a “Heroes” plug be far behind?

¢ A department-store Santa departs without notice on “Without a Trace” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Nico spills a secret about a major movie deal on “Lipstick Jungle” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ A dragon must be slain on “Eli Stone” (9 p.m., ABC).

Cult choice

A New Yorker (Tom Hanks) falls for an undersea creature (Daryl Hannah) in the 1984 comedy “Splash” (7 p.m., WE). The hit film not only made Hanks a star but reversed the fortunes of an ailing Disney film studio.