Well, here’s a thick book to tackle: “War and Peace” (Lifetime, A&E, History, 9 p.m.) is an internationally-produced miniseries with some big names in it, including Paul Dano (fresh from “Love and Mercy”), Lily James (cousin Rose of “Downton Abbey”) and Gillian Anderson (of the impending reboot of “The X Files”).
Written by Andrew Davies, who wrote the esteemed Colin Firth version of “Pride and Prejudice,” it’s directed by Tom Harper and also includes Jim Broadbent, Brian Cox and Stephen Rea. Shot over six months in Lithuania, Latvia and Russia, it’s already played to 6.3 million viewers in the UK.
Whether the adaptation will be able to untangle the tale of several families remains to be seen over the next three consecutive Mondays. Like the book, I’ll get around to it someday.
Here’s a thing about what producer Harvey Weinstein said about the production on the winter press tour.
The fake brits Georgie and Poppy return to tour the states in the amusing “Almost Royal” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
On “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Ben goes on a one on one date where country’s Lucy Angel performs while 12 others have to play soccer. The unnecessary talk show tacked on to it makes it a three hour blowout.
Reality TV dominates broadcast TV though, with two hours of “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and a one-time special, “MasterChef Celebrity Showdown” (Fox, 8 p.m.) in which Terry Crews, Gigi Hadid, Boris Kodjoe compete with some recent winners.
Among scripted fare, a hurricane interrupts lunch at “Telenovela” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
Henry Czerny guest stars as the Toyman on a new “Supergirl” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Plenty of NBA action today with New Orleans at Memphis (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.), Orlando at Atlanta (ESPN, 5 p.m.), Golden State at Cleveland (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Houston at Clippers (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Pittsburgh at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Syracuse at Duke (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Texas Tech at TCU (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Loyola at Boston University (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Oklahoma at Iowa State (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Hampton at North Carolina Central (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Women’s games includes Tennessee at Notre Dame (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Patricia Arquette, Megan Boone, Cee-Lo Green. The View: Jennifer Hudson, Ruby Bridges, Kirk Franklin, Special Music School Choir. The Talk: Romany Malco, Bridgit Mendler. Ellen DeGeneres: Elton John. Wendy Williams: Michael Yo. Meredith Vieira: Bob Harper, Grant Kemmerer.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert; Patricia Heaton, Quincy Jones, Deray McKesson, Grace. Jimmy Fallon: Elton John, Whitney Cummings. Jimmy Fallon: Tracy Morgan, Julianne Hough, Hank Williams Jr. Seth Meyers: Lester Holt, Rob Corddry, Brothers Osborne, Josh Freese. James Corden: Josh Groban, Justin Long, Data (rerun). Carson Daly: Ron Perlman, Ratatat.