1) “American Masters,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. For starters, this has a glorious soundtrack. Miles Davis (shown here) plays turbo-charged bebop music … then his own, subtler sound … then fusion and more. Alongside that is a life filled with fascinating detours. The son of a prosperous Midwestern dentist, Davis went to New York. He had three marriages, two addictions, one five-year gap. But he kept having comebacks, fueled by talent and creativity. It’s a sprawling story that director Stanley Nelson tells beautifully.
2) Democratic debate, 8 p.m. ET, CBS and BET; follow-up, 10:15-11 p.m. ET, CBS. Last week’s debat had a double impact: It was good (if messy) democracy and great television. With Mike Bloomberg added to the mix, there was conflict, substance, even occasional humor. Now South Carolina hosts the 10th debate. Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King moderate, with questions also from Bill Whitaker of “60 Minutes,” Margaret Brennan of “Face the Nation” and Washington correspondent Major Garrett.
3) “Legends of Tomorrow,” 9 p.m., CW. Things got odd last week, what with Marie Antoinette’s chattering head and flailing body causing chaos in separate rooms.And now? Head and body, re-united, are enjoying a hamburger. A scooter-riding Genghis Kahn wants to kidnap Prince Charles in 1997 Hong Kong. Also, Constantine nears death and Charlie reveals her past. This is clearly a bizarre show, with time-travel and shape-shifting and such, but it’s fairly enjoyable in its own goofy way.
4) “Miracle Workers: The Dark Ages,” 10:30 p.m., TBS. It’s time for the the holiday feast, a day to eat and drink and celebrate taking the land from the natives. It’s kind of like Thanksgiving, complete with mismatched relatives. In the castle, charade-type games turn lethal; among the commoners, political talk brings rage and tears. The result is a sharply funny episode that also has a good heart.
5) And more: “This Is Us” (9 p.m., NBC) finds emotion in two eras – report-card time for the three siblings and Kevin spending the day with his declining mom. “Schitt’s Creek” (9 p.m. Pop) has some fun moments at the new motel opens … and serious ones for Alexis, who has grown the most in these six seasons. And “For Life” (10 p.m., ABC) prosecutors try to prove that Aaron broke ethics rules.