1) “Dispatches From Elsewhere” debut, 10 p.m. Sunday, AMC. From its start — a narrator introducing a bland chap – we know this is strange and maybe wonderful. Odd messages lure the chap (Jason Segal, who directed and co-wrote) to strangers (Sally Field, Andre Benjamin, shown here, and transgender actress Eve Lindley). “Dispatches” will then jump to Mondays … the same move AMC already made with “Better Call Saul.” The intriguing “Saul” season-opener reruns at 7:45 p.m. today, with a new episode at 9 p.m.
2) “American Masters: Miles Davis: Birth of Cool,” 9-11 p.m. Tuesday, PBS. Miles Davis seemed like the ultimate cool cat – a jazz great, forever innovating. We might assume he grew up in the Harlem clubs; not so. His dad was a prosperous dentist; his mom was a violinist. He studied with a St. Louis Symphony trumpeter and went to what’s now Juilliard. That’s when Davis began to roam the New York clubs, soaring musically. Here’s a terrific portrait that, of course, has a truly wondrous soundtrack.
3) “The Voice” opener, 8-10 p.m. today, NBC. For the first time, Blake Shelton is on his own; he can’t bounce jibes off his friend Adam Levine or his mate Gwen Stefani. This time, the others are Kelly Clarkson (for the fifth time), John Legend (third) and Nick Jonas (first). Shelton used to rule the place; in 13 editions, he had six winners and Levine had three. That changed when Clarkson arrived, winning three of four. She and Legend each had a winner their first time … which is a good sign for Jonas.
4) “Democratic debate,” 8 p.m.ET Tuesday, CBS and BET; follow-up, 10:15-11 p.m., CBS. Last week’s face-off reminded us that debates can make good (if messy) democracy and great television. There was conflict, controversy, substance, even a dash of humor. This debate, the 10th, is in South Carolina. Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King will moderate, with questions also from Washington correspondent Major Garrett, plus Bill Whitaker of “6t0 Minutes” and Margaret Brennan of “Face the Nation.”
5) “Legends of Tomorrow,” 9 p.m. Tuesday, CW. Last week’s episode – with Marie Antoinette’s chattering head and flailing body causing separate chaos – was odd. And now? Head and body, re-united, are enjoying a hamburger. Meanwhile, the team must prevent a scooter-riding Genghis Kahn from kidnapping Prince Charles in 1997 Hong Kong. Also, Constantine nears death and shape-shifting Charlie finally reveals her background. It’s an odd hour, but one you can settle back and enjoy.
6) “The Masked Singer,” 8 p.m. Wednesday, Fox. The show’s new format helps oust the pretenders early … with a real singer occasionally being dumped. First was Group A; ousted (and unmasked) were rapper Lil Wayne, comedian Drew Carey and – surprisingly – music great Chaka Kahn. The three A survivors will be among the nine semi-finalists. Last week, skateboarder Tony Hawk was the first person ousted from Group B. Now the others – Kitty, Mouse, Frog, Taco and Bananas – are back.
7) “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.,” 9 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, NBC. After being bumped by the debates last week, these shows are back with the sort of crossover that NBC savors. Almost four years ago, Brian Geraghty left “P.D.”; he hasn’t been seen much since, but has a supporting role in the upcoming “Fugitive” series. Now we see Sean (Geraghty) back in town, looking for his sister. At first, he works with firefighter Sevaride to probe opiod overdoses; then it becomes a police homicide case.
8) “Grey’s Anatomy,” 9 p.m. Thursday, ABC. For four straight weeks, ABC says, this was Thursday’s most-watched show … if you stick to ages 18-49 and include three days of delayed viewing. This week could be another big draw: During a blizzard, Dr. Andrew DeLuca volunteers for a life-threatening task, startling Meredith and his sister Carina. The show’s main drama competition at 9 p.m. (Fox’s “Deputy”) is so-so. This week’s story (upscale home invasions) has the subtlety of a sledge hammer.
9) “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), 8 p.m. ET Friday, and “The Graduate” (1967), 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Turner Classic Movies. As “31 Days of Oscar” nears its March 2 conclusion, we re-meet two great actors, playing aimless youths. First is James Dean, wonderfully teamed with Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo; then Dustin Hoffman (beautifully directed by Mike Nichols) is with Anne Bancroft. Friday also has Dean’s “East of Eden” (1955) at 5:45 p.m.; Saturday has Hoffman’s hilarious “Tootsie” (1982) at 8.
10) “Seven Worlds, One Planet” finale, 9 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., BBC America; 9 p.m. ET IFC; 9 p.m. AMC and Sundance. This gorgeous series ends where most nature shows start – in Africa. We see chimps learn to fashion hammers to crack nuts … And a five-cheetah team with a well-plotted attack … And tiny birds living on giraffes, to feast on fleas and ticks. There’s also dark news about poachers and reduced habitat; David Attenborough, 93, meets the only two survivors from a rhino sub-species.