‘Hooking Up’ explores dating on ‘Net

We live in interesting and well-chronicled times.

Two documentary series begin tonight, covering new twists on ways that Americans are looking for love and money.

The five-part series “Hooking Up” (9 p.m., ABC), produced by ABC News, welcomes viewers to the frantic world of Internet dating.

According to “Hooking Up,” the Internet has revolutionized the dating scene.

Long gone are the furtive “Miss Lonely Hearts” want ads and professional dating establishments. Apparently, more than 40 million people are doing it for themselves on the Internet, and finding Mr. or Miss Right can be as easy as buying a vase on eBay. Or maybe not. As one participant observes, “Internet dating is not for losers, but you can find plenty of losers dating on the Internet.”

During the course of the first hour, we follow a 30-something female gynecologist who seems eager to find love online but reluctant to reveal her profession or image for fear that colleagues and patients may find out. Her date with a fellow physician proves both furtive and frustrating.

An attractive and brazenly self-confident hair salon manager finds that the photos posted online can be a decade or so out of date.

A young professional who later admits that she helps market Viagra puts her heart on the line with every encounter and manages to find it broken at least once. A girl from North Dakota dates a professional poker player and finds physical chemistry, if not a perfect match.

It’s curious that a show created by a news division unfolds without commentary or any attempt to put the Internet dating scene in any social, economic or historical context. So we’re left to watch and judge for ourselves. “Hooking Up” deserves credit for showcasing individuals who might pass for normal, though: No one stands out as drop-dead gorgeous, model thin or entirely delusional. And that’s what separates “Hooking Up” from more exploitative fair.

Shot entirely in high-definition video, “Hooking Up” often projects the on-the-fly visual sensibility of a home video. And its low resolution and immediacy make the content seem even more intimate, cringe-worthy and frequently sad.

The old investment adage “buy low, sell high” takes on new meaning in the documentary series “Flip That House” (9:30 p.m., Discovery Home). Created by R.J. Cutler (“30 Days”), “Flip” follows people as they buy, renovate and redecorate homes with the sole purpose of selling them quickly for maximum profit.

While many consider the act of buying a house an anxiety-ridden experience, professional “flippers” have made a career of high-wire real estate gambling.

“Flip” follows first-timers, as well as professionals who have “flipped” more than a hundred homes.

“Bollywood Bound” on “Screening Room” (8 p.m., Discovery Times) follows four North American actors of Indian descent as they try to make it in Bollywood, the Indian film industry famous for lavish romantic song-and-dance movies.

Other highlights

Julie Chen hosts “Big Brother 6” (8 p.m., CBS).

A concert missed on “The O.C.” (9 p.m., Fox).

On back-to-back episodes of “Will & Grace” (9:30 p.m., NBC), an hourlong Thanksgiving special (9:30 p.m.), and a broken keepsake (10:30 p.m.).

A killer lives large at a plus-size convention on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).

An elderly juror vanishes on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).

Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): the popular appeal of a South American spiritual leader named “Father John.”

Sean Penn turns in a memorable performance as a shifty lawyer in Brian DePalma’s 1993 drama “Carlito’s Way” (10 p.m., Cinemax).

Cult choice

Suburban innocents travel to Manhattan to check up on a wayward husband in the 1996 low-budget feature “The Daytrippers” (4:25 p.m., Independent Film Channel), featuring a stellar cast including Hope Davis, Pat McNamara, Anne Meara, Parker Posey, Liev Schreiber, Stanley Tucci, Campbell Scott and Marcia Gay Harden.

Series notes

On three episodes of “Joey” (NBC), a trip west (8 p.m.), auditions (8:30 p.m.), and a date with the press (9 p.m.) … On back-to-back episodes of “That ‘70s Show” (Fox), Kelso’s decision (8 p.m.), and Eric’s career (8:30 p.m.).

A dedicated mother’s reward on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8 p.m., ABC) … Wrestling on “WWE SmackDown!” (8 p.m., UPN) … Alicia’s return on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB).

A reunion on “Beauty and the Geek” (9 p.m., WB).