CBS, 9:00 p.m. ET
John Dickerson, the new host of Face the Nation, gets to face the nation as the moderator of tonight’s latest Democratic debate among presidential aspirants. Televised live from Des Moines, by CBS.
BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET
In tonight’s new episode, the Doctor and Clara investigate a seemingly deserted space station – which gives the show a chance to do its own twisty approach to the popular horror-movie narrative gimmick known as “found footage.” What you’ll find, I’m guessing, is that Doctor Who, as usual, is more clever, and scary, than most.
HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET
WARNING – This live TV concert special has been canceled. Songs from the new U2 album, Songs of Experience, were scheduled to be performed in this live concert special from Paris – as were songs from the group’s now-voluminous back catalog. But in the wake of that city’s terrorist attacks Friday, killing at least 100 at public venues around the city, U2 and HBO have canceled the show. Whatever is televised by HBO at this hour tonight, it won’t be U2. So even though it’s TV worth watching, you can’t see it – but for very good, very bad reasons.
Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET
What an amazingly rare look into the intimate thoughts, dreams and fears of a generally reclusive artist. This documentary delves into piles of hours of private audiotapes and home movies recorded by Marlon Brando, speaking honestly, and sometimes with breathtaking rawness, to an audience of one: himself. In this 2015 film, we get to join that audience.
Esquire, 10:00 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: Yet another network adds to the scripted-series pile, as Esquire, beginning tonight presents a dark new drama about two brothers running afoul of the law, and of the lawless as well. This is an acquisition, not an original production: Spotless is a French-British co-production, first televised in March on France’s Canal Plus. It’s the story of a crime-scene cleaner, a happy family man named Jean, whose life is disrupted when his estranged brother Martin, an ex-con, shows up unexpectedly with a problem – and a favor. Jean is played by Marc-Andre Grondin, seen here with Brendan Coyle, playing a crime boss. Denis Menochet plays the wayward brother. As a network “quality TV” launcher, Spotless may not be Mad Men – but it’s a start.
Sundance, 10:00 p.m. ET
On tonight’s episode, there are people, living and the returned dead alike, who are feeling out of place, and seeking a different environment. And there also are those, living and returned dead alike, who are finding an unexpected kind of solace – sometimes with one another.
NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET
The Donald Trump episode has come and gone. Tonight, in the penultimate outing of the November ratings sweeps, the guest host is Elizabeth Banks, and the musical guest is Disclosure. Full Disclosure: I’m not familiar with Disclosure.