TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
TCM has a reeeallllly depressing double feature tonight – or, at least, a really Depression one. And it’s terrific, too, starting off with this iconic 1940 John Ford film, starring Henry Fonda as Tom Joad. Also featured: John Carradine, one of whose sons stars in the second half of this double feature.
IFC, 10:00 p.m. ET
Seth Rogen is the host of this year’s awards, which are billed unofficially as the “anti-Oscars.” Which explains, in a way, why the star of The Green Hornet would be tapped to host. If there’s anything that’s truly anti to the Oscars, it’s The Green Hornet.
Science Channel, 10:00 p.m. ET
Karl Pilkington comes to the U.S. for this week’s episode, and travels the storied road of Route 66. Along the way, he finds some kicks, just as the lyrics promise – but he also finds other things. Including the Amish.
Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET
This 2010 movie is directed by Julie Taymor – director non grata of the Spider-Man Broadway musical -- who also wrote the screen adaptation of this classic William Shakespeare tragedy. Her major change is a big one, and a gender one, changing Prospero to Prospera. But this allows the role to go to Helen Mirren, who acts up a storm. (For fans of the Bard, that’s a joke, son.) And she’s not alone: Also starring in this visually inventive version are, among others, David Strathairn, Alan Cumming, Felicity Jones and, yes, Russell Brand.
TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET
Here’s Part 2 of the TCM Depressapalooza: David Carradine starring in this 1976 film biography of Woody Guthrie. Hal Ashby directed, and cinematographer Garrett Brown provided some shots that, at the time, were unprecedented. This was the cinema’s first use of the Steadicam, providing long handheld takes that flowed like water, rather than shook like earth tremors.