1) “Nova: Mammal Origins,” 9 p.m., PBS. In our minds, we’re descended from the boldest beasts, which ruled the planet. Science, alas, finds that mammals probably evolved from critters (depicted here) who burrowed and hid, while the big guys were vanquished. That’s illustrated here, with terrific special effects. Read more…
1) Winter Olympics. It’s time for the short-program start of men’s figure skating. That begins at 12:30 p.m. ET on USA, with NBC taking over for the top-seeded guys (including U.S. whiz Ilia Malinin and Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who has b eaten him twice on short programs, including, shown here, Satuirday) from 1:45-5 p.m. NBC also has men’s skiing at noon, women’s luge at 12:45 and cross-country sprint at 1:15. As usual, it re-packages the day from 8-11 p.m Read more…
1) “Independent Lens: The Librarians,” 10 p.m., PBS. Big or (shown here) small, libraries have been quiet refuges. Librarians have been the kindly source of words and wisdom; nNow, however, they’re under attack. Modern book-burners demand the removal of subjects ranging from sexuality to slavery. This compelling film follows several; some lost their jobs, others keep up the quiet fight. Read more…
1) Super Bowl, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBC. The New England Patriots (shown here) have already been to the Super Bowl 11 times (a record), winning six (tied with the Steelers). Now they face the Seattle Seahawks, who have been here three times, winning once. Both were 14-3 in the regular season. Read more…
1) Winter Olympics, NBC. The first full day has mostly-live coverage from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, then repackages it from 8-11. Figure-skating continues its team event, with men’s short program (1:45 to 3:15) and then the free dance finals — including U.S. leaders Madison Chone and Evan Bates (shown here) from 4-5 p.m.. Also: free-skiing (8 a.m.), speed-skating (10:05), luge (12:45 p.m.) and a snowboarding final (3:15 p.m.). Read more…
1) Winter Olympics opening ceremony, 2-5 p.m. ET; also, 8 p.m. and 12:38 a.m. First, we can see the ceremony live, at what is 8 p.m. in Italy. Then it reruns in primetime and again after Jimmy Fallon. We’ll expect music (including Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli) and spectacle (shown here is the 2022 opening) with more than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries. Read more…
1) “Next Level Chef,” 8 p.m, Fox. Here’s the fun bunch — eight social-media chefs, fighting for five spots. They range from 27 to 56, from a female body-builder to a guy (shown here) who announced during an online broadcast that he’s “fat and hungover,” from an at-home dad to Andy Allo, the female lead in the “Upload” streaming series. The result is filled with fun moments. Read more…
1) “Nova: Can Dogs Talk?” 9 p.m., PBS. They can, sort of. Given an array of buttons, they can step on the one that says a specific noun (a toy) or a request (a walk, a meal) or even a concept. Scientists have been skeptical, setting up careful tests. The results are fun to watch; so are the dogs — delighted by their new skill — and their people. Read more…
1) “The Turpins: A New House of Horror,” 10 p.m., ABC. At 17, Jordan Turpin (shown here in a later photo) escaped and told police about her 12 siblings, as young as 2, being abused. Their parents were sentenced to life in prison. Eight years later, the younger kids tell Diane Sawyer more about that … and about ensuing failures of the foster-care system. Read more…
1) “Brilliant Minds,” 10 p.m., NBC. In the first few minutes, a potential tragedy seeps into the hospital. Viewers know it’s there; the staff (shown here) doesn’t — until chaos breaks out. It’s a terrific episode that fades a bit in the final minutes. Read more…
