ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET
It’s nice to have sitcoms with institutional memories. On this one, Frankie (Patricia Heaton) likes to indulge herself annually by getting all excited preparing a party atmosphere for the upcoming Oscar telecast (good thing it’s always televised by ABC, which helps). This year, though, her best-laid party plans may go awry: Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is taking a school bus trip for the weekend, and that may prove emotional, for the boy if not for his mother.
PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET
In terms of documentary subject matter, is it possible there’s too much of a bad thing? Last night, Frontline devoted itself to a profile of mass murderer Adam Lanza and his mother, his first victim. Tonight, Nova looks at the psychology that may explain, if only partially, the motivation of Lanza and other rampage killers. But coming in the heels of Frontline, is this a well-timed follow-up – or its own type of overkill? Check local listings.
ABC, 9:00 p.m. ET
Cam (Eric Stonestreet), in tonight’s new episode, grabs an opportunity to use the very young ones as models in a themed photo shoot. If that sounds like it could be misinterpreted – well, isn’t that the beauty, and the appeal, of most of this show’s comedic plot lines?
FX, 10:00 p.m. ET
The fake American couple, which just started feeling closer to each other for real, had a marital spat in last week’s episode, so now things are tense between them again, especially in the bedroom. It’s neither the time nor place to have a super-personal Cold War – but here it is. Keri Russell stars.
TCM, 10:15 p.m. ET
It's nice to watch a movie about Roman Catholic clergy where their care and affection for young boys carries no sinister overtones whatsoever. Yes, 1944 was a more innocent time, but this Bing Crosby movie is inspirational in all the right ways. He plays Father O'Malley, a young priest whose winning ways with his young charges made him a significant element in their lives - without crossing any sexual boundaries whatsoever.