Candidates head to late-night couch

After a delay of several weeks, and much ribbing by the host, Sen. John McCain is scheduled to appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS). Not to be outdone, Jay Leno hosts Sen. Joe Biden, Colin Farrell and Lenka on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

¢ Fighting a speeding ticket may be the only chance people get to speak truth to power and to fight city hall. Of course, some of these struggles may be in vain and a tad silly and delusional to boot. The new reality show “Speeders Fight Back” (7:30 p.m., TruTV) documents the courtroom battles of accused drivers in Florida’s Broward County.

The results are more “Night Court” than “Law & Order,” but you can’t fault the plaintiffs for putting up a passionate case. Some of their “legal” arguments fall back on the age-old assumption that police officers harbor a bias against red cars. One self-appointed defender contends that the officer singled him out because of his Mohawk haircut. Viewers who enjoy scouring the Web for the latest mug shots should enjoy “Speeders Fight Back,” a show where the guilty and the charged do not take their prosecution lying down.

¢ The documentary “Soldiers of Conscience” on “P.O.V.” (8 p.m., PBS, check local listings) interviews soldiers and veterans about one of the most controversial decisions a fighting man or woman can make – the decision not to kill when ordered to do so.

During World War II, a survey revealed that a surprising 75 percent of combat soldiers chose to miss their targets. Over the ensuing decades and wars, the military developed training to get soldiers to abandon this deeply ingrained reluctance to kill, with mixed results. Soldiers who kill, even in the most trying and morally defensible circumstances, often carry an almost unspeakable emotional burden, one that affects countless veterans, their families and their communities. Peter Coyote narrates this thoughtful look at war and its aftermath.

¢ “Iconoclasts” (9 p.m., Sundance) enters its fourth season. “Iconoclasts” presents joint biographies of two notable figures as well as footage of both characters engaging in spontaneous expressions of mutual admiration. Tonight’s season opener begins with clips of tycoon Richard Branson and South African civil rights pioneer Archbishop Desmond Tutu splashing around together in a pool on Branson’s private island.

This season’s other tandems include comedian Bill Maher and music producer Clive Davis; designer Stella McCartney and artist Edward Ruscha; skateboarder Tony Hawk and director Jon Favreau; and actress Cameron Diaz and architect Cameron Sinclair.

¢ Celebrity stylist Jennie Mai helps women transform their fashion-phobic beaus on the one-hour special “Dude, Where’s Your Style?” (9 p.m., Style).

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Jenna Elfman guest stars as an embittered former cheerleader on “My Name is Earl” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ Charlize Theron stars in an Academy Award-winning role as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 screen biography “Monster” (7 p.m., WE).

¢ Betty makes amends with Gio on “Ugly Betty” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ A hypnotist burglar pulls a homicidal heist on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ Jan’s due date looms on “The Office” (8 p.m., NBC).