IFC, 5:30 p.m. ET
This is the 20th anniversary of this pitch-perfect sci-fi comedy tribute, which stars Tim Allen as the veteran headliner of a beloved, long-dormant TV science fiction series. Think Star Trek – because that’s what this movie is doing, going so far as to play with the depiction of Allen’s TV sci-fi star as an egocentric celebrity who has problems connecting with his co-stars and supporting players. That’s the reality against which Galaxy Quest veers into fantasy, by imagining that an alien race far, far away has received images, traveling in space for decades, of the old “Galaxy Quest” TV series, and misinterprets it as a documentary, then seeks out the old crew to help them defeat an intergalactic villain. What a perfect plot – made even better by the perfectly cast players, from Allen and Tony Shalhoub to Alan Rickman and Sam Rockwell. Sigourney Weaver is hilariously exasperated as the show’s requisite sex symbol, and Enrico Colantoni is a riot as the alien who comes to Earth in search of help. This movie is very, very funny – but also has a lot of heart, and even some genuinely exciting action scenes. Never surrender!
CW, 8:00 p.m. ET
For the third day in a row, the CW is presenting a continuing, connected story line on one of its DC Comics series from ubiquitous executive producer Greg Berlanti. It’s called “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” and the CW seems to have an infinite number of alternate shows on which to present it. Sunday, it was Supergirl. Yesterday, it was Batwoman. And today, it’s The Flash.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
Last month, TCM presented a full day of Pink Panther movies starring Peter Sellers – not as the titular jewel thief, of course, but as the scene-stealing Inspector Clouseau. Tonight, TCM takes the first (and best) two Pink Panther films and presents them in prime time, as a terrific Tuesday double feature - a pair of best Sellers.