Lorenzo Richelmy stars as the Italian explorer turned swimming pool game in the latest big streaming series, “Marco Polo” (Netflix, starting today). It’s a lavish production from the Weinstein company, that begins with Polo arriving at the palace of Kublai Khan and then recalling his three years of travel and trade along the Silk Road with his father.
It’s a mishmash of ethnicities and approaches, as could be expected. Everybody speaks English. But the sets are convincing and setting apparently very near the same Chinese trading way. There are flashes that remind you of better scenes in “Game of Thrones” (the training, the harem rooms) and this doesn’t come close to that. But it’s better than most such cable adventures with the same mix of swords, sand and sex. “Minor nudity was advertised,” he said. “Minor nudity achieved,” before he puts on his stars and stripes shirt.
For a lighter touch there’s a new comedy special on line as well, featuring 10 Tops for a prosperous Life from the manly point of view of the actor fro “Parks and Recreation.” “Nick Offerman: American Ham” (Netflix, streaming) also features a few songs along the way, in a special taped at New York’s Town Hall last March, where he is introduced as “American Humorist” and comes on stage shirtless.
Speaking of training Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and UFC’s Dana White host “Wake Up Call” (TNT, 9 p.m.) guiding teens to become martial arts fighters.
The rapper marks the 20th anniversary of his influential album in the documentary “Nas: Time is Illmatic” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), which also features Pharrell Williams and Alicia Keys.
“The Soup” (E!, 10 p.m.) moves to its original time slot and holds an awards show.
Clark Gregg wrote and starred in the film “Trust Me” (Starz, 9 p.m.) about an agent for child actors. It also features Felicity Huffman and Allison Janney.
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) travels through the Philippines.
More celebrity home decorations are featured on “Deck the Halls with Dr. Christmas” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
El Chupacabra makes a stop on “Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
What the world needs are more Hanukkah toys, according to a pitch on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
The 1954 “White Christmas” (AMC, 7 p.m.) marks its 60th anniversary, a film Bing Crosby thought should have been a lot better, he revealed in a recent documentary.
The month-long Friday night salute to director/choreographer Charles Walters continues on Turner Classic Movies with “Summer Stock” (8 p.m.), “Lili” (10 p.m.), “Dangerous When Wet” (11:30 p.m.), “Torch Song” (1:15 a.m.), “Texas Carnival” (3 a.m.) and “Girl Crazy” (4:45 a.m.).
NBA action includes Portland at Chicago (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Lakers at San Antonio (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
In college football, it’s Chattanooga at New Hampshire (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) in the FCS quarterfinal.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Mark Wahlberg, Idina Menzel. The View: Barbara Walters. The Talk: Tom Seleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes, Len Cariou, Amy Carlson, Sami Gayle. Ellen DeGeneres: Ashton Kutcher. Wendy Williams: Chris Rock, Rebekah George. Meredith Vieira: Austin Mahone. Queen Latifah: Cameron Diaz, Lisa Edelstein.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jamie Foxx, Robert Klein, Dan Penn. Jimmy Fallon: Martin Freeman, Megan Mullally, Yusuf. Jimmy Kimmel: Sofia Vergara, J.. Simmons (rerun). Seth Meyers: Jason Judekis, Aubrey Plaza (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Rashida Jones, DJ Qualls. Carson Daly: Isabella Rossellini, the Acid, Jessimae Peluso (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Gena Rowlands.