Mike Hughes on TV

1) Presidential speech, 9 p.m. ET, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and news channels. There’s no official State of the Union speech in the first year, but most presidents do a variation. Two days shy of the 100-day mark, Joe Biden has his turn. Networks have set aside two hours for the speech plus the Republican response and news analysis; in western time zones, they’ll give two primetime hours to local stations. Either way, we’ll list some 9 p.m. alternatives (including “Nancy Drew,” shown here) at the end. Read more…

1) “Mayans M.C.,” 10 p.m., FX, rerunning at 11. His brother warned him that you can’t be in two worlds, but EZ keeps trying. Last week, he was in a brutal (and deadly) biker battle, then went to a warm family dinner with his sweet girlfriend Gaby (they’re shown here). Now the double life implodes, in an hour that is violent and disturbing, but skillfully directed and acted. It’s often quite mellow, but then has two fierce scenes – Galindo with his wife (whom he suspects), then EZ and Gaby in a stroll downtown. Read more…

.1) “Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. It was 51-and-a-half years ago that TV hatched a rare piece of near-perfection: Yes, “Sesame Street” (shown here) has lots of educational, good-for-kids details; a platoon of researchers made sure of that. But it also has clever songs, fun graphics, crisp editing, Muppets and lots of entertainment. This special will focus strongly on the serious side – from a 1992 attempt (which was scrapped) to address divorce to the current look at racial justice. Read more…

1) Academy Awards, 8 p.m. ET, ABC. This could turn out to be deadly dull. Lately, acceptance speeches have been dreary lists, thanking agents and such. This year’s best-picture nominees – “Nomadland,” “Mank,” “Minari,” “Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “The Father,” “Sound of Metal” and “Promising Young Woman” – are worthy, but few people have seen them in theaters. The show needs humor and music, but has no host; movie stars — Brad Pitt (shown here), Halle Berry, etc. — will help out. And songs have been banished to the pre-show. Read more…

1) Musicals. On the eve of the Academy Awards, here are three excellent musical films with Oscar links. “Dreamgirls” (shown here, 2006, 8 p.m., HBO) drew an Oscar for Jennifer Hudson, a nomination for Eddie Murphy and great work from Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and more … “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018, 8 p.m., FX) has Rami Malek’s Oscar-winning work as Freddie Mercury … “Moana” (2018, 6:50, Freeform) was nominated for best animated feature and for one of its songs, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Read more…