Best-bets for Feb.17: “Masked Dancer,” “Black Church” conclude

1) “The Masked Dancer,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. This first season has seen surprises under those masks. That’s ranged from a science guy (Bill Nye) to a boxer (Oscar De La Hoya), from former kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart to Vinny from “Jersey Shore.” It’s also included three music people – Brian McKnight, Jordin Sparks and Ice-T. All that remain are Sloth, Tulip (shown here) and Cotton Candy. Tonight – after a recap of the season so far – we’ll have the final dance-off. Then “The Masked Singer” returns March 10. Read more…

1) “The Masked Dancer,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. This first season has seen surprises under those masks. That’s ranged from a science guy (Bill Nye) to a boxer (Oscar De La Hoya), from former kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart to Vinny from “Jersey Shore.” It’s also included three music people – Brian McKnight, Jordin Sparks and Ice-T. All that remain are Sloth, Tulip (shown here) and Cotton Candy. Tonight – after a recap of the season so far – we’ll have the final dance-off. Then “The Masked Singer” returns March 10.

2) “The Black Church,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. The second half of this superb film steps into the 20th century. As rural people moved North, Henry Louis Gates says, they faced bias in urban churches. He points to other prejudices, toward women and gays … but also views the potent role of preachers in civil rights. Gates talks about the melodic voices of many preachers (including C.L. Franklin) and the musicians (including his daughter Aretha) who followed. He closes with a warm visit to his boyhood church.

3) “Lincoln” (2012), 8 p.m., HBO. CNN has just started a six-Sunday documentary on Abraham Lincoln. Now here’s Steven Spielberg’s masterful portrait of the effort to ban slavery. It was nominated for 12 Oscars (including best-picture), winning for its design and for Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role.

4) “SEAL Team,” 9 p.m., CBS. In the midst of major changes, the team heads out on a mission to Ecuador. Also, Jason (David Boreanaz) gets a life-changing idea from Natalie.

5) “Resident Alien,” 10 p.m., Syfy. There are great moments at the start and end of this hour. They’re ones that would only work in this concept: After crash-landing on Earth, an alien must stay until he finds his device that will destroy all Earthlings; in the meantime, he’s killed a local doctor and assumed his physical form. Tonight, he’s supposed to visit the home of a boy who’s the only one who can see through his false front. It’s a dandy episode … and the final minute will bring you back next week.

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