Taking a walk on the silly side of science

Neil deGrasse Tyson returns to host a new season of “Nova scienceNow” (8 p.m., PBS, check local listings) and does so with the gusto of a kids’-show host. There’s nothing he won’t do, or no special effect he won’t affect, if it will draw viewers into a discussion of cutting-edge science, emerging technologies or other neat stuff.

In the show’s opening moments, he appears as Indiana Jones and introduces an interesting report on the fledgling field of synthetic-diamond cultivation. Scientists have developed methods using superheated gases to turn little flakes of diamonds into much larger gems, ones that experienced diamond experts cannot tell from the “real” naturally occurring stones.

All of this diamond cloning is not about jewelry but conductivity. Apparently, diamonds have properties that may allow them to replace silicon and copper in electronic circuitry and computer chips. As one expert opines here, “Silicon is so 20th century.”

In another segment, Tyson sings a rather silly song rather badly to show how the geniuses behind Auto-Tune technology can turn even the worst song into a passable performance. We learn that many top artists, from Madonna to Cher to Reba McEntire, have been using Auto-Tune for years, even in their “live” performances.

“Now” also includes a case of genome sleuthing that helped narrow the search for the source of the anthrax attacks that frightened America in the days after 9/11, as well as a profile of a computer wizard who turned down huge salary offers from Microsoft and Yahoo to pursue his dream job: teaching.

• Homeowners eager to sell get tips on how to present their house in the best light on the new season “Stager Invasion” (7 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., TLC).

• “P.O.V.” (9 p.m., PBS, check local listings) presents “Beyond Hatred,” a film about a French family’s efforts to cope after the murder of their gay son at the hands of neo-Nazi skinheads. Presented without third-party narration, “Hatred” puts viewers in the shoes of the victim’s family as they navigate the labyrinth of the French legal system and try to understand what happened to their society to produce the kind of people who would kill their beloved son and brother.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier star in the brisk, economical 1940 adaptation of Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice” (5 p.m., TCM).

• Enjoy two scoops of Hasselhoff on a double helping of “America’s Got Talent” (7 p.m., NBC).

• Reese Witherspoon stars in the 2001 comedy “Legally Blonde” (7 p.m., Fox).

• Dreams on ice on “Deadliest Catch” (8 p.m., Discovery).

• Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (9 p.m., CBS): death of a Las Vegas dancer.

• A rapist may go free because of his victims’ unique status on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).

• Scheduled on “Primetime” (9 p.m., ABC): family secrets.

• Tommy faces his family in his dreams on “Rescue Me” (9 p.m., FX).

Cult choice

Campbell Scott received rave notices for his performance as a delusional lady’s man in the 2002 comedy “Roger Dodger” (7:15 p.m., IFC).