While fans were surprised that the first half of the season slowed down its pace and largely stayed put on a farm, “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) picks up action in its second half and finds new dangers in the first episode alone.

Here’s an interview I did with creator Robert Kirkman that is posted at Salon.com.

Having its origin in comics, “The Walking Dead” is followed by a new reality series following life in the comic book shop owned by director Kevin Smith in Red Bank, N.J. Yes “Comc Book Men” (AMC, 10 p.m.) has its Comic Book Guy clichés, but its characters go way beyond that.

“Downton Abbey” is about to wind up its season on “Masterpiece Classic” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), but before that happens, a flu ravishes the mansion.

“Full Metal Jousting” (History, 10 p.m.) is the second cable attempt this year to make the ridiculous and cruel pastime of jousting a modern-day “sport.” This one is much more serious and attracts various stuntmen and rodeo stars by offering $100,000 to the last one riding. Jousting is a sport like monster trucks are a sport. Demolition derbies are ballet by comparison.

The three-hour “Wild Mississippi” (Nat Geo Wild, 8 p.m.) looks at the beauty and danger of the country’s longest river following a year’s worth of filming.

One of the more unusual documentary offerings of Black History Month is “MLK: The Assassination Tapes” (Smithsonian Channel, 9 p.m.), basd on the police radio audio from the day he was killed in Memphis.

Anderson Cooper interviews Adele on “60 Minutes” (CBS, 7 p.m.), immediately before the Grammys.

And if it’s only movie awards you’ll watch, The 2012 British Academy Film Awards (BBC America, 8 p.m.) are presented from London, with most of the same stars nominated for Oscars, in an event hosted by Stephen Fry.

Dustin Hoffman’s character looks to hire a young wheeler-dealer on “Luck” (HBo, 9 p.m.); Jerry just wants to buy a horse.

A new season starts for “Worst Cooks in America” (Food, 9 p.m.).

Base jumper Dean Potter, who jumps off clips and buildings using his wingsit is featured in the special “The Man Who Can Fly” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.) in which he tries a new world record jump – from a 9,000 foot granite wall on Canada’s Mount Bute.

The world of Hasidic Jews is investigated on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN, 9 p.m.).

A guy who loves his car — no, really really loves his car — kicks off the new season of “My Strange Addiction” (TLC, 10 p.m.). Also, there’s a woman who sniffs baby powder comulsively.

Michael Cera guest stars as a love interest for Lisa on “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.). Also, the MythBusters show up.

Does anybody realize “Pan Am” (ABC, 10 p.m.) is still flying?

Emilie de Ravin pops up as Belle on a new “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 pm.).

They’re still in New York on Turner Classic Movies with “Funny Girl” (8 p.m.), “Hester Street” (10:45 p.m.), “Marty” (12:30 a.m.), “Awakenings” (2:15 a.m.) and “Life with Father” (4:30 a.m.).

NBA action includes Bulls at Celtics (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) and Heat at Hawks (ESPN, 7 p.m.).

Sunday Talk

ABC: White House chief of staff Jack Lew, Rick Santorum, Rep. Paul Ryan. CBS: Lew, Rep. Ron Paul, Sen. Mitch McConnell. NBC: Lew, Santorum, Former White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton. CNN: Lew, Santoru, Sen. Joe Lieberman. Fox News: Lew, Sarah Palin.