Best-bets for Jan. 24: cheers for nature and comedy

1) “Kingdom,” 8 p.m., BBC America. David Attenborough (shown here in a previous film) remains the consummate voice of nature films. Shortly before he turns 100 (May 8), he narrates two epics from BBC crews. This six-parter follows families of lions, leopards, hyenas and dogs, competing (sometimes violently) for turf. And a five-part gem on animal parenthood starts Feb. 4 on PBS. Read more…

1) “Kingdom,” 8 p.m., BBC America. David Attenborough (shown here in a previous film) remains the consummate voice of nature films. Shortly before he turns 100 (May 8), he narrates two epics from BBC crews. This six-parter follows families of lions, leopards, hyenas and dogs, competing (sometimes violently) for turf. And a five-part gem on animal parenthood starts Feb. 4 on PBS.

2) “TV We Love,” 8 and 9 p.m., CW. Here are two shows viewers really did love. “Cheers” drew a best-comedy Emmy nomination every year, winning four times; it also spent one year as No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings. That’s followed here by “Touched By an Angel,” which created a warm blend of religious faith and human struggle.

3) “Harlan Coben’s Final Twist,” 8 p.m., CBS. In small-town Kentucky, Anna Mae Branson turned an ice cream spot into a million-dollar business. Then, at 85, she was found dead, stabbed 97 times. This involving rerun takes us through a swirl of suspects and surprises.

4) Movies. HBO has Dwayne Johnson’s fierce “The Smashing Machine” at 8 p.m., one day after it began streaming on HBO Max. Also, Sundance has two ’70s favorites — Steve Martin’s “The Jerk” at 6:30 p.m. and “Animal House” at 8:30. And at 8, VH1 has “Forest Gump” and Lifetime has “Breathe Again,” produced by and starring Toni Braxton.

5) ALSO: BBC America packs the day with gems. It has a “Planet Earth” marathon at 8 a.m. … “Kingdom” (see No. 1) at 8 p.m. and 12:10 a.m. … and Rob Reiner’s superb “A Few Good Men” at 9:10 p.m. and 1:20 a.m.
— Mike Hughes, TV America

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