1) “The Americas” debut, 7 and 8 p.m., NBC. The filmmakers are British, but the narrator is Tom Hanks and the subject is purely New World. That starts with gorgeous hours on the Atlantic Coast and in Mexico. There are exotic visions of swarming fish, swooping eagles and glowing fireflies, plus quirky fun with raccoons (shown here) cavorting in cities and suburbs. Read more…
1) “NAACP Image Awards,” 8-10 p.m., CBS and BET. “Wicked,” which reaches Peacock on March 21, is up for best picture, alongside “Bob Marley: One Love” (shown here), “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” “Piano Lesson” and “The Six Triple Eight.” TV comedies include “Abbott Elementary,” “Poppa’s House,” “The Neighborhood,” “The Upshaws,” and “How to Die Alone.” Read more…
1) “American Masters,” 9 p.m., PBS. Hazel Scott (shown here) was a piano prodigy at 4, a Juilliard student at 8, a nightclub performer in her teens, then a movie co-star. At 22, she led a three-day strike on a movie set; at 29, she had a DuMont Network TV show … until McCarthyism intervened. Here is a passionate profile, spiced by clips of a great singer and pianist. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 10 p.m., CBS. A slick consultant (Matthew Broderick, shown here) assures people he can get their kids into an Ivy League college. That leads to trouble and (as usual) murder; soon, Elsbeth is fencing with him – verbally and literally, It’s a good episode, with Broderick’s son, James, playing Carl. Read more…
1) “Nature,” 8 p.m., PBS. At 98, David Attenborough (shown here) keeps trying new ideas; here’s one of his best hours ever: He pretends to visit London’s Natural History Museum overnight; then special effects bring extinct creatures back to life. The result is honest — he tells which parts are definite and which are speculation – and immensely entertaining. Read more…
1) “Doc,” 9 p.m., Fox. Struggling to remain a doctor, despite losing eight years of memories, Amy has been opposed by Richard (now her boss) and Sonja (shown here). Now we see the human side of both. Richard (Scott Wolf) faces a rough problem at home; Sonja encounters a man from her past. This hour (the seventh of 10) packs potent emotion. Read more…
1) “Thomas Jefferson” opener, 8-10 p.m., History. Jefferson (shown here, in a painting) was filled with contrasts: He was shy (his inaugural address was barely audible), but his writing roared … He sold all his books (creating the Library of Congress) to avoid bankruptcy – then bought more … And he wrote of freedom, but failed to free his slaves. It’s an intriguing story, told over three nights. Read more…
1) “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” 8-11 p.m. ET, NBC. This live event (with red-carpet at 7) will be busy. It includes four of the first-year stars plus many that followed – Eddie Murphy (shown here), Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Kristen Wiig, Chris Rock and more. Also, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and other hosts. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:30 p.m., NBC. On the eve of its 50-year celebration, “SNL” reruns it first episode. It’s not like the current version, with a huge cast doing sketches; instead, it’s a ragtag variety show, blending sketches from a small with music from Billy Preston and Janice Ian, comedy from Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson and mini-monologs from George Carlin. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live” concert, 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), Peacock. As “SNL” launches its 50-year celebration, it has this live mega-concert. It includes Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt (shown here), Eddie Vedder, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Brittany Howard, Jelly Roll, Chris Martin, Brenda Carlile The Roots, the Backstreet Boys, Arcade Fire and more. Read more…
