1) Presidential inauguration, noon ET, everywhere. It’s the start of a new era … or, at least, the end of a noisy one. Joe Biden will be sworn in and give his inaugural address. The news channels and the big networks plan to be there long before — starting with the morning shows — and afterward. Garth Brooks, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga perform at the ceremony; at night — see next item — Bruce Springsteen (shown here) and others perform.
2) “Celebrating America,” 8:30-10 p.m., ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, news channels and more. There won’t be any inaugural balls, but there will be this event, hosted by Tom Hanks and leaving room for network news summaries at 8. Performing from scattered spots will be Springsteen, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Ari Clemons and more. There will be remarks by Biden and Kamala Harris and tributes to medical people, teachers, police and others.
3) “Riverdale” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. As all those networks flock to the inaugural party, this mini-network has alternativea. No longer the sunny place we knew in Archie comics, Riverdale is astir with creepy videos and maybe snuff films; it’s a big – and sometimes overwrought – episode.
4) “Nancy Drew” season-opener, 9 p.m., CW. Nancy and friends confront the Midnight Wraith. That part of the hour is potent and wraps up neatly, but other stories will linger: the rest will linger: Nancy ponders her own roots; she and her friends are shattered by visions of their own deaths.
5) ALSO: Barring a late change, Fox will stick with its regular shows – “Masked Dancer” (Rob Lowe joins the panel) at 8 p.m. and “Name That Tune” at 9. And barring changes, others will have scripted shows at 10. There are reruns on CBS (“Magnum, P.I.”) and NBC (an excellent “Chicago P.D.,” eyeing police corruption) and new comedies on ABC (“The Conners” and “Call Your Mother”).