The specter of Nancy Pelosi looking over the shoulder of Donald Trump as he gives his shutdown-delayed Sate of the Union Address (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CSPAN, 9 p.m.) is part of the appeal of this year’s event, which will dramatically demonstrate the country’s divide by the sides of the room who rise for applause and the side who sits and roll their eyes.
Network fact checkers will be working overtime to analyze content, but if networks were really interested in providing public service, they’d be doing real time fact checking — or at least flag questionable claims — from a speaker who has told more than 8,000 mistruths since taking office — an average of about 11 a day, according to the Washington Post. If he sticks to his recent talking points that’s likely to spike today.
The Democratic response will be given by Stacey Abrams. News panels will extend their panels to parse the speech; analysis with humor comes from a live edition of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.) “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.) and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC, 11:35 p.m.), which on the West Coast, won’t have to be live but can still be timely.
Don Cornelius seemed like kind of a stiff when he hosted “Soul Train” all those years, but a more dramatic figure is seen backstage in the drama that fuels “American Soul” (BET, TV Land, 9 p.m.), a new series set in the 70s heyday of the iconic show. Sinqua Walls, Kelly Price and Jason Dirden star; entertaining music and fashion are at least promised as well as cameos from Bobby Brown, Wayne Brady, and the other two Destiny’s Child members, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The debut comes with a second episode at 10.
“Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner” (Netflix, streaming) is his first standup special in 23 years, from the Comedy Cellar and Village Underground in New York.
The one network continuing to ignore the State of the Union has a new episode of “Roswell, New Mexico” (CW, 9 p.m.), in which there’s a town-wide power outage.
“Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) does black history.
The idea that something can go wrong in the ceremony will make the new “My Great Big Live Wedding with David Tutera” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) more gripping than most shows.
Jake tries to oust the office dog on “Corporate” (Comedy, 10:30 p.m.).
Some 22 million people sampled “The World’s Best” (CBS, 8 p.m.) after the Super Bowl Sunday; that episode gets a repeat tonight.
Greg does the family taxes on “American Housewife” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Secrets are revealed on “Good Trouble” (Freeform, 8 p.m.), which has just been picked up for its second season.
On “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” (TLC, 8 p.m.), Buddy brings his new girlfriend to Greensboro.
Barry and Ralph go undercover on “The Flash” (CW, 8 p.m.).
On “The Kids are Alright” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), Lawrence and Eddie are drafted during the Vietnam War.
A phony rivalry is whipped up in “Kate vs. Meghan: Princesses at War?” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
“Below Deck” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) has a reunion episode, with Andy Cohen.
Surgery has a complication on “I Am Jazz” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
“Siesta Key” (MTV, 9 p.m.) goes to Miami.
Hot Dad surprises Ms. Bennigan with a visit from her parents on “Teachers” (TV Land, 10 p.m.).
“Expedition Unknown” (Travel, 9 p.m.) has a reunion show.
Temptations intensity on “Temptation Island” (USA, 10 p.m.).
On “The Many Sides of Jane” (A&E, 10 p.m.), Jane tries to regain control.
Turner Classic Movies’ 31 Days of Oscars features two winning films with Anthony Quinn, “Viva Zapata!” (8 p.m.) and “Lust for Life” (10:15 p.m.),. Then it’s Bette vs. Joan in “The Letter” (12:30 a.m.) and “Mildred Pierce” (2:30 a.m.). During the day, it’s all Oscar winning and nominated foreign films with “Bicycle Thieves” (5:30 a.m.), “The Walls of Malapaga” (7 a.m.), “Roshoman” (8:30 a.m.), “Mon Oncle” (10 a.m.), “Day for Night” (noon), “The Battle of Algiers” (2 p.m.), “Through a Glass Darkly” (4:15 p.m.) and “I Vitelloni” (6 p.m.).
NBA action has Toronto at Philadelphia (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Miami at Portland (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Boston College at Duke (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Michigan State at Illinois (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Drake at Loyola Chicago (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Wake Forest (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), St. John’s at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.), Missouri at Tennessee (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Kansas at Kansas State (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Dayton at Saint Louis (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Florida at Auburn (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and San Diego State at New Mexico (ESPN2, 11 p.m.).
Skiing has the women’s super-G world championships (NBC Sports, 6:30 a.m.). There are also world championships in the parallel slalom (NBC Sports, 3 p.m.) and big air (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Liam Neeson. The View: Jacqueline L. Jackson, Jesse L. Jackson Jr. The Talk: Debra Messing. Ellen DeGeneres: Ray Romano, Kelly Clarkson. Wendy Williams: Kenan Thompson, Nick Cannon. The Real: Twitch.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Norah O’Donnell, John Dickerson, Gayle King, Bianna Golodryga and Spike Lee. Jimmy Kimmel: Will Arnett, Julian Casro, Randy Houser. Jimmy Fallon: Priyanka Chopra, Savannah Guthrie, Henry Winkler, Lizzo. Seth Meyers: Taylor Schilling, Ana Navarro, Tucker Rule. James Corden: Billy Crystal, Sarah Chalke, Buddy. Carson Daly: Benedict Wong, Phoebe Bridgers, Drew Tarver. Trevor Noah: Frank Bruni. Conan O’Brien: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Sam Moril.