1) “The Pitt,” 11:30 a.m. to 11:41 p.m, HBO. Here’s the first season in one gulp, portraying an intense, 15-hour hospital shift. The show has already won five Emmys — including best drama and actors Noah Wyle (shown here, second from right), Katherine LaNasa and Shawn Hatosy). Now, four days before the second season on HBO Max, it’s up for four Critics Choice Awards.
2) Critics Choice Awards, 7-10 p.m., E and USA. And here are those awards, with Chelsea Handler hosting. “Adolescence” leads the TV side with six nominations; “Sinners” leads movies with 17. That includes best-picture, facing “Marty Supreme,” “Wicked: For Good,” “One Battle After Another,” “Jay Kelly,” “Frankenstein” and four more.
3) “Best Medicine” opener, 8 p.m. ET (after football), Fox. “Doc Martin” was a terrific show about a surgeon, devoid of people skills, suddenly hired as the only doctor in an English village. Here’s the opening episode (which repeats Tuedsay) of a reboot. It copies the plot, but not the droll, dry charm. But in its own way (see commentary under “Stories”), it;s an excellent show.
4) “Rain Man” (1988), 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. Speaking of award-worthy films, here’s a gem; it won four Oscars, including best picture and best actor (Dustin Hoffman, with an amazing performance. Also, at 8:30 Sundance has Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men” (1992), a best-picture nominee. Both include great work by Tom Cruise.
5) ALSO: At 8 p.m., “When Calls the Heart” opens its season. Also at 8, “Roof Man,'” an amiable film based on a true story, is on MGM+. And at 8:20 ET, NBC has the final game of pro football’s regular season. It’s the Ravens and Steelers, with the winner reaching the playoffs.