TCM, 12:15 p.m. ET
Lillian Gish is the star of the day at TCM, and it’s worth it to sample as many of her films as possible, because some are rarely televised, and others, like this 1926 silent version of the classic story, starring Gish as Hester Prynne (seen here with co-star Lars Hanson), have yet to be released on DVD. For the full treatment, begin at 6 a.m. ET with 1919’s Broken Blossoms, one of her many successful D.W. Griffith melodramas, followed at 7:45 a.m. ET by another, 1921’s Orphans of the Storm. The big draw of the day is saved for prime time, when 1916’s silent epic Intolerance, yet another Gish-Griffith teaming, is presented at 8 p.m. ET.
BET, 7:30 p.m. ET
There are lots of reasons to watch this 1997 TV musical, starring Brandy Norwood in the title role. First, its impressive cast includes the late Whitney Houston (pictured, with Brandy) as the Fairy Godmother. Second, other co-stars include Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber. Third, it’s a new version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical written especially for television 40 years earlier, originally starring Julie Andrews in 1957 – the same musical being readied now for a new production on Broadway. And finally, its executive producers include the talented Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the executive producers behind NBC’s Smash.
DirecTV Audience Network, 9:00 p.m. ET
Ellen (Rose Byrne) is haunted by memories of her trauma from years ago, in the attack that opened the first season of Damages with a tantalizing flash-forward. Now it’s a flashback, and bloodier than ever – as Ellen’s dreams mix with her fears. And, at the same time, warn her about her possible future.
More Max, 9:00 p.m. ET
One of my favorite “spider-web” movies – my coinage for a movie that you watch no matter how many times it shows up on TV (read my
Bianculli’s Blog for more details, and other candidates). Tim Allen as the William Shatner-esque star of a cult sci-fi TV show, Alan Rickman as the Spock-ish science officer, Sigourney Weaver as the Uhura-like attractive communications officer, and even Sam Rockwell as the expendable junior crewman – they’re all fabulous. So are Tony Shalhoub and Daryl Mitchell as other veterans of the TV show, and Enrico Colantoni and Missi Pyle as aliens who take the TV crew very, very seriously. It’s a brilliant send-up, amusing and touching at the same time.
DirecTV Audience Network, 10:00 p.m. ET
We’re nearing the end of the road – or, at least, the end of this limited series in which Chloe Sevigny stars as a transgender killer for hire who defends her new family from dangers within and without. Sevigny already has hinted that she might be up for reprising the role, and this series certainly has been rewarding and impressive enough to earn that opportunity.