1) “The Forsytes” opener, 9 p.m., PBS. It’s PBS’ third time telling the massive story of wealth, greed and romance in the early 1900s. This time it has all the modern skills to create a visually gorgeous show(as shown here) … plus a modern emphasis on the women. This six-Sunday story is just the first season, but it also works beautifully as a stand-alone mini-series. Read more…
1) Basketball. A new round of the college tournament begins, with Thursday’s winners colliding. CBS has games at noon, 2:30, 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET, with more games on TBS. TNT and TruTV. By late Sunday night, the tourney will have its “sweet 16” for next week’s games. Meanwhile, other networks have films (shown here) for the basketball-averse. Read more…
1) “Doc,” 8 p.m., Fox. Here’s a rerun of one of the show’s best episodes. It has three strong stories, including a powerful one centering on Joan (Felicity Huffman, shown here, right, in a previous episode), a skilled surgeon covering up her progressive ailment. That’s followed by an OK “Best Medicine,” focusing on a hunky loner. Read more…
1) College basketball. The 64-team tourney starts its three-week marathon. For CBS, that means tip-offs at 12:15 (Ohio State, shown here, and Texas Christian), 2:50, 7:10 and 9:45 p.m. ET, wiping out soaps, comedies and mysteries. That will be the same time Friday (wiping out cops and firefighters at night). There’s more on TBS, TNT and TruTV … and a new round will be Saturday and Sunday. Read more…
1) “America’s Culinary Cup,” 9:30 p.m., CBS. Here’s a sign that “Cup” contestants (some are shown here) are an interesting bunch: In the final showdown, we deeply don’t want either chef to lose. One does, in an hour focusing on sustainability. In the showdown, two chefs use parts that most people throw away. Both seem to do well; one departs and tears are shed. Read more…
1) “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968), 5:30 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. OK, we don’t usually associate Francis Coppola with Irish culture. But before his “Godfather” films, he beautifully directed this zesty musical. Tommy Steele and Fred Astaire star(they’re shown here), with Petula Clark, Tommy Steele a Don Francks star, with some great comic moments from Al Freeman Jr. Read more…
1) “American Idol,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. In a quicker format this year, the show now has its top 20 and is giving them a sweet backdrop: Tonight and next Monday, they’ll be performing at a Hawaiian resort. (Shown here is Zahlie Windsor in last year’s Hawaiian round.) Read more…
1) Academy Awards, 7 p.m. ET, ABC and Hulu. Conan O’Brien hosts and “Sinners” leads with 16 nominations. Its song, “I Lied to You,” will have a big-scale production. “Golden,” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” will also be done live, with others in videos. “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet” and Timothee Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme”(shown here) also could be prominent.
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\1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. After taking a break from music for almost three years, Harry Styles (shown here) is back big-time. He has a new album and a Netflix concert special; now here’s his second turn as host and music guest at “SNL,” which is wrapping a three-week stretch of new episodes. Read more…
1) “Stumble” season-finale, 8:30 p.m., NBC. Gradually, this has evolved into an above-average comedy. It offers interesting characters, sharp sight gags and, at times, dandy cheer-team moves. Last week (shown here) the coach picked her 16-person team, with one alternate. Now they’re at the national championships, where she collides with her enemies. The result is inconsistent, but has some excellent moments Read more…
