True to its name, “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura” (9 p.m., TruTV) reflects the mindset of the stereotypical conspiracy buff. They tend to demonstrate a welcome sense of skepticism when confronted with the official version of facts or events, but then go on to greet alternative explanations with wide-eyed naivete.

In the first “Theory,” we’re told that the military has created a vast electronic facility in the wilds of Alaska, capable of pumping millions of watts into the atmosphere. According to the government, it’s some kind of listening device. And for several reasons, including national security, they’re not eager to discuss it for our entertainment.

But Ventura’s band of photogenic experts have other notions. Alaska could be home to a doomsday device, capable of changing weather, perpetrating mass mind control, or detonating a series of world-ending volcanoes. Every allegation — whether made by unaccredited scientists or the lady at the coffee shop — is met with serious nods and implied acceptance.

Ventura shows up from time to time to play the Michael Moore role as the guy “The Man” won’t let through the front door. But while Moore plays the provocateur with glib, if annoying, humor, Ventura speaks with a too careful deliberation that inspires little confidence. After a while, he came to remind me of Kevin, the slow-witted accountant from “The Office.”

• In another mindblower, A&E reveals that for more than 20 years, martial-arts star Steven Seagal has been working as a cop for the Jefferson County, La., police force. And here, I thought he was just a really bad actor.

“Steven Seagal Lawman” (9 p.m., A&E) is a lot like “Cops,” albeit “Cops” featuring an older and slightly thicker version of the star of “Under Siege” riding along, offering back-seat driving advice and dispensing Zen aphorisms about the nature of crime and the police shooting range. Dull and preposterous, “Seagal” shows the degree to which reality television, the genre that freed television from actors and celebrities, is now dependent upon them.

• Any similarities between “Launch My Line” (10 p.m., Bravo) and “Project Runway” are intentional. Only on “Launch,” many contestants have absolutely no talent. A dandified fashion fixture confesses — or rather brags — that he can’t sew a button on a shirt. To make up for this, they are teamed with designers who do their work for them. Whose “Line” is it anyway?

Pointless in every way, “Launch” is hosted by a set of unctuous and annoying identical twins who prove that sometimes one plus one equals zero.

Tonight’s other highlights

• “Pixar Short Films” (6 p.m., Family) showcases 20 computer-generated cartoons.

• Burl Ives narrates the 1964 holiday special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7 p.m., CBS).

• Jane Krakowski and Zachary Levi host “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m., NBC).

• Experts share ideas on “Meeting of the Minds: Rebuilding America” (7 p.m., CNBC).

• LL Cool J hosts “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live” (8 p.m., CBS).

• The yearbook omits the club on “Glee” (8 p.m., Fox).

• Martha Stewart laughs along at some of her more severe specials on “Whatever, Martha!” (8 p.m., FLN).