NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: Technically, this is the show’s re-premiere, because the first episode was previewed on NBC in a prime-time “sneak preview” last month, then available since then as a streaming offering. But tonight, NBC repeats the premiere, then unveils a new episode, which furthers the story, and deepens the characters around Zoey – especially herfather, played touchingly by Peter Gallagher.
AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET
Here’s another re-premiere of sorts. This movie sequel to Breaking Bad, following Aaron Paul’s Jesse from the moment he sped away from the compound where he had been imprisoned, premiered as a Netflix movie. Tonight, it shows up on AMC, capping a weeks-long repeat run of all of AMC’s Breaking Bad episodes. And tune in to AMC a few hours before this movie to see the final episodes of Breaking Bad, some of the best episodic TV drama hours ever presented. The penultimate episode guest stars Robert Forster, who reprised his role of the vacuum cleaner repairman (among other things) in the El Camino film. It’s a wonderful reprise – so watch for it. Then wait for next Sunday’s return of the Breaking Bad prequel/sequel Better Call Saul, which is what all this Breaking Bad and El Camino fuss on AMC is about.
Showtime, 8:00 p.m. ET
This Friday, it’s the Nevada caucus – and so far this political season, the word caucus, for Democrats, hasn’t exactly been a synonym for competency. Has this week been any better in the buildup to the third state providing delegates for the 2020 presidential race? Follow the Circus correspondents, and see… And meanwhile, on the home front in Washington, D.C., the controversy over the Roger Stone sentencing continues to escalate.
Fox, 8:30 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: Another new Sunday night Fox cartoon series premieres tonight – and if the animated faces aren’t familiar, the voices, and the show’s creators, should be. Duncanville is co-created by Amy Poehler (who also provides the voices of Annie and the show’s protagonist, 15-year-old Duncan), Mike Scully (writer-producer on The Simpsons and Parks and Recreation), and Julie Thacker (also of The Simpsons). And its vocal stars include not only Poehler, but Ty Burrell, Rashida Jones, Wiz Klahifa, and Riki Lindhome.
HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET
Last week, Holly (Cynthia Erivo) came face to face with the evil she’s been pursuing – or, at least, found him in the passenger seat of her car. Meanwhile, Julianne Nicholson stole the episode as the widow Glory, reacting with angry disbelief when finally learning of Holly’s theory that a legendary spirit was victimizing local kids. And Ben Mendelson, the cop caught in the middle, doesn’t know what to think. What I think is that this adaptation of Stephen King’s story has me totally hooked.
MSNBC, 9:00 p.m. ET
SERIES PREMIERE: Each week in this new series, Andrew Zimmern looks at food through a different lens – environmental, political, etc. For this series opener, he looks at immigrant labor and the harvesting of U.S. crops. And that’s of particularly timely interest, not only because of President Trump’s ubiquitous “border well” issue, but because 2020 is the 60th anniversary of Edward R. Murrow’s famous CBS Reports documentary Harvest of Shame, which explored the identical issue in 1960. And which I just showed to one of my Rowan University classes last week.
Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET
This eighth and final season of Homeland, based on its first four episodes, is going to end magnificently. Watch tonight’s second installment of 2020 and see why: It’s getting us deeply into the head of Claire Danes’ Carrie – and, these days, that’s a very emotional and unsettling place to be.
Epix, 10:00 p.m. ET
DOCUMENTARY SERIES PREMIERE: This new nonfiction series, based on the Slate podcast of the same name, has the same focus as that podcast’s first season: the Watergate scandal. It also has the same host, Leon Neyfakh, but some elements are new to this Epix TV version, in addition to all the visuals. Among the new interviews here: Roger Stone, who also is featured in other nonfiction programming tonight, in a much more modern context.
HBO, 10:30 p.m. ET
I’m loving, absolutely adoring, this season of Curb. I love the new batches of exasperations, and especially love the running subplot about Larry David’s decision to open a “spite store” – a rival coffee shop located next to one operated by a new nemesis. Larry has specific ideas he wants to include – quality scones, for example, and tables with firm bases. And tonight, as Latte Larry’s gets closer to reality, he trains his eye for detail on the coffee shop’s bathrooms. By the way, HBO's merchandise store doesn't yet offer any personalized mugs from Latte Larry's -- but if and when they become available, I'm ordering a dozen.
HBO, 11:10 p.m. ET
SEASON PREMIERE: Oh, I’ve missed you, John Oliver. The comedian returns for Season 7 with a recap of whatever it was that happened this week. And I believe Oliver is the best person on TV to explain what’s been going on this week in the Justice Department, Barr none.