Bill Clinton was the baby boomer president, but it’s Barack Obama who was able to have a Beatle, Bob Dylan and now a Rolling Stone to the East Wing to perform.
A strong array of blues players from B.B. King and Buddy Guy to Keb Mo and Gary Clark Jr., join forces for a salute to the blues on “In Performance at the White House” (PBS, 9 p.m.). But when Mick Jagger struts on stage, the excitement level rises considerably.
He moves and shakes to Otis Redding’s “Can’t Turn You Loose,” joins forces with Jeff Beck on Howlin’ Wolf’s “Commit a Crime,” and does “Miss You” with Shameka Copeland and Susan Tedeschi singing backup.
He later returns to join in a group version of “Five Long Years” and takes part in the show closing “Sweet Home Chicago,” in which he gives he microphone to the President so he can sing a line or two as well.
Obama knows the blues: He sings along to most tunes including Clark’s version of “Catfish Blues.” Derek Truck and Warren Haynes show up as well.
It’s a whale of a show made more electrifying by how intimate it is for the audience – in the White House and for us at home.
The “hi de ho” chorus Obama sings during Trombone Shorty’s version of “St. James Infirmary” plays a role on another show on public television. The profile on Cab Calloway on “American Masters” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) is heavy on the chorus that started in “Minnie the Moocher.”
It’s an odd film – there are hardly any interviews from the guy who lived until 1994. There are a lot of clips and a few comments from people lke Gary Giddins and Stanley Crouch. But you never learn anything about how he grew up or when he died. You might come away thinking he played the Cotton Club in the 1920s and then did nothing until he came back to perform in “The Blues Brothers” movie.
Ratings have already slipped for “Smash” (NBC, 10 p.m.) so they’re reverting to the old guest star ploy with Nick Jonas.
Ben dismissed the one woman I thought was good for him last week on “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.), so I’m not so interested in the frolicking of the final three as they go to Switzerland for the smarmy fantasy suite canoodling. Looks like he’s really going to go for the crazy model.
It may be the final week for the blind auditions on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.). Pretty son those swivel chairs will be obsolete.
There was probably enough talk about Oscar fashion Sunday, but should you need closure, there’s “The Academy Awards Fashion Wrap” (TV Guide Network, 8 p.m.) and “The Fashion Police” (E!, 10 p.m.).
Bruce Springsteen on “Late Show with Jimmy Fallon” (NBC, 12:37 a.m.)? That usually guarantees a good time.
New England is the setting on Turner Classic Movies with “I Married a Witch” (8 p.m.), “Come to the Stable” (9:30 p.m.), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (11:30 p.m.), “Good Will Hunting” (2 a.m.) and “The Last Detail” (4:15 a.m.).
In men’s college hoops, it’s Kansas at Oklahoma State (ESPN, 9 p.m.). In women’s basketball, it’s Notre Dame at Connecticut (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
In NHL action, it’s Devils at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Isaac Mizrahi, Maria Menounos, Lawrence Zarian, Neil Patrick Harris. The View: Ed Helms, Kathy Gingrich Lubbers, Jackie Gingrich Cuhman, Yvette Nicole Brown. The Talk: Patricia Heaton, Daniela Ruah. Ellen DeGeneres: Meredith Vieira, Emily VanCamp.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ed Helms, Dan Patrick, Lyle Lovett. Jay Leno: Megan Fox, Michel Hazanavicius, Mariachi El Bronx. Jimmy Kimmel: Melanie Fiona. Jimmy Fallon: Julianna Margulies, Seann William Scott, Bruce Springsteen. Craig Ferguson: Eric Idle, Sarah Paulson. Tavis Smiley: Devvie Dingell, Jennifer Westfeldt. Carson Daly: Malin Akerman, Wayne White, Trentemoller. Jon Stewart: Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Stephen Colbert: Peggielene Bartels. Conan O’Brien: Artie Lange, Nick DiPaulo, Beth Behrs, Chiddy Bang. Chelsea Handler: Maria Sharapova, Brad Wollack, Heather McDonald, Kerri Kenney-Silver.