The productions for “Masterpiece Contemporary” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) have generally been very good. But here’s something that’s very unusual as well – a very literary, funny and knowing reunion of a pair of lovers that is adapted from a poem.
Staged almost entirely as an interior dialog, “A Song of Lunch,” based on a piece by Christopher Reid, works as well as it does because it is acted so strongly.
Alan Rickman is perfect as the dissolute publishing hack meeting a former flame he lost to a brighter literary light. And in that role, the underrated Emma Thompson does her usual magic.
To young film fans flicking past, it may look like an unlikely meeting between Nanny McPhee and Professor Severus Snape from the “Harry Potter” series. But adults will be amused and enriched by the delightful hour.
The fourth chapter in Soledad O’Brien’s series “Black in America” (CNN, 8 p.m.) is already causing a stir. Reporting from the Silicon Valley, she asks the question: “Where are the black tech entrepreneurs?” TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington, for one, tells her he doesn’t know “a single black entrepreneur” and that “It’s a white and Asian world here. It just is.”
Celebrity judges Gordon Ramsay, Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain show up on a new episode of “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.) in which Homer becomes a food blogger.
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) moves from Africa to Denmark. And there’s unusual trip as well on “Dexter” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) – from Miami to Nebraska.
Chris Matthews pops up on a new episode of “The Good Wife” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Daryl and his crossbow get surrounded by zombies on a new episode of “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
LeAnn Rimes and Burt Reynolds star in the TV movie “Reel Love” (CMT, 7 p.m.) about a city girl who returns back home to help her ailing dad, a fisherman.
In another original TV movie, Judd Nelson dons a Santa Claus costume for the Toys for Tots-related “Cancel Christmas” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.). The film about the encroaching commercialism of the holiday is interrupted, of course, by incessant premature commercials about the holiday. In other pre-Thanksgiving Yuletide films, a double play of “Elf” (USA, 7 and 9 p.m.) beats “Fred Clause” (TBS, 8:30 p.m.).
The little recognized corner of the TV industry (mostly because it plays endlessly in the middle of the night) finally “The 25 Most Memorable Infomercials Ever” (TV Guide Network, 9 p.m.) get their due. And that’s not all. John O’Hurley hosts.
The assassination attempt was not successful on Nucky Thompson, but his outlook is not exactly sunny otherwise on “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
Things have suddenly gotten very complicated on “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
The oral TV history “America in Primetime” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) concentrates on the misfits in comedy. Therefore, castouts from Larry David and Garry Shandling to Mike Judge and Mitchell Hurwitz are interviewd.
In Sunday Night Football (NBC, 8:15 p.m.), it’s Patriots at Jets.
Now only several weeks away: “2012″ (Starz, 7:21 p.m.).
Before David Bowie here was Jim Bowie, featured character in “The Iron Mistress” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “The Last Command” (TCM, 10 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett. CBS: Jon Huntsman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Govs. Martin O’Malley and Haley Barbour. NBC: Corbett, Michele Bachmann, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. CNN: Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Sens. Mark Warner and Tom Coburn, Reince Priebus, Antonio Villaraigosa. Fox News: Sen. Pat Toomey, Rep. James Clyburn, Corbett, T.J. Bard, Franco Harris.