1) “Nature,” 8 p.m., PBS. All of Kenya, we’re told, has fewer than 30 “super-tusker” elephants — giants (shown heree) with 10-foot tusks. This film follows the post-drought lives of three. It’s slow, but has big moments of lust, rage and parenting. It’s followed by reruns — a terrific “Nova” on UFO’s and the first half of a “Secrets of the Dead” involving Nazis’ stolen art. Read more…
1) “Best Medicine,” 8 p.m., Fox. In the opener, villagers met Dr. Martin Best. They promptly dubbed him “Doc Martin” … and promptly decided they don’t like him. As a diligent doctor (shown here) with no people skills, he’s hard to like … especially tonight, when he cancel the monthly black-bean supper. Like the opener, this deftly mixes comedy, drama and small-town charm. Read more…
1) Football, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN. The first round of the pro playoffs concludes with the Texans facing Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers (shown here). The Texans were 12-5 in the regular season; the Steelers were 10-7, but get home field because they won their division. Tonight’s winner joins seven others — five from this past weekend, plus the Broncos and Seahawks — Saturday and Sunday. Read more…
1) “All Creatures Great and Small” season-opener, 9 p.m., PBS. The sixth season starts with what may be the show’s best hour yet. As James and Helen (shown here) build their life, the hour juggles three deeply moving stories: Since Mrs. Hall’s departure, Siegfried’s home and life are a shambles … a sheepdog’s ailment endangers the flock … and World War II is in its sixth year. The final minutes here are superb. Read more…
1) Football. Now the pros take over. College football had its semi-finals Thursday and Friday; the NFL starts its playoffs today. At 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, the Panthers — the only playoff team with a losing record — face the Rams (shown here). At 8, Amazon Prime has the Packers and Bears. There are three more games Sunday and one Monday. Read more…
1) U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 8-11 p.m., NBC. Four weeks before the Winter Olympics begin, the U.S. picks its stars. Tonight has women (led by Amber Glenn, shown here) and pairs, Saturday has men and free-dance. At 2 p.m. ET Sunday, the Olympic figure-skating team will be announced.
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1) Football. The college season has reached its semi-finals. Today, Miami (shown here) — ranked No. 10, before beating two higher-rated opponents — faces Mississippi (No. 6) in the Fiesta Bowl. On Friday, top-ranked Indiana faces Oregon (No. 5) in the Peach Bowl. The winners collide Jan. 19. Read more…
1) “Abbott Elementary,” 8:30 p.m., ABC. On Sunday, this likable show (shown here in a previous season) will be up for a Golden Globe as best comedy series; it’s been nominated for that four straight times. First, here’s a clever mid-season shift: After the pipes broke at the school, classes now resume in a former shopping mall. Read more…
1) “Best Medicine” debut, 8 p.m., Fox. Here’s a second chance to see the start of this excellent comedy-drama. It debuted Sunday after football, now repeats that hour in its regular spot. Remaking an English gem (“Doc Martin”), it sees a surgeon, devoid of people skills, hired as the village doctor. He clashes instantly with the townsfolk, including (shown here) his charmmingly distracted assistant. Read more…
1) “Brilliant Minds” return, 10 p.m., NBC. Van had fallen back in love with his ex-wife. (He’s shown here with their son.) Then came a fierce car crash; ow, after a month-long break, the show resumes with her being rushed to surgery. Some of the reactions of the other driver and by Van are terribly misplaced; then the show gets back on track, wrapping up a pivotal and emotional hour. Read more…
