Some shows are just bad, others are just hatful. “Scandal” (ABC, 10 p.m.), starring Kerry Washington, left, in a preposterous D.C. caper, is in the latter category.
She portrays a character based on Judy Smith, who worked in the Bush press office and handled press (or rather, shooed them away) for Monica Lewinsky (She was also a completely ineffectual NBC flak for a time, which is how most TV types first came in contact with her).
Anyway, she thinks herself a power broker and fixer with no moral compass. But in Shonda Rimes latest drama, she’s seen as some sort of superhuman, who can barge into the Oval Office and demand: “Where is he?”
Rimes employs the usual double-talk and romance of her other hard-to-take shows, like “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 9 p.m.) or “Private Practice,” which this one is replacing.
But she revs up the dialog to an almost comical pace, imagining she’s in Aaron Sorkin territory.
Among the many reasons to dislike the show: It wastes the talent of Henry Ian Cusick of “Lost.” Overall, “Scandal” is awful, throw-something-at-the-TV fare.
Dolores Hart was once a co-star of the King of Rock and Roll, and starred in other movies such as “Where the Boys Are.” But feeling a little empty spiritually, she agreed to join a Benedictine convent in Bethlehem, Conn., and drop out of showbiz altogether. Other nuns were skeptical, but Hart stuck to it, and she became the equivalent of the mother superior there.
The Oscar-nominated documentary short “God is the Bigger Elvis” (HBO, 8 p.m.) shows how rich her life is now, away from the limelight. Even more amazing, possibly, is the continued love of her onetime fiancé left behind, who never gave up the torch and comes out to visit once a year.
Even those who have outgrown “Sesame Street” will adore the documentary “Being Elmo,” the captivating documentary about the unexpected young man from Baltimore who gave life and a voice to the most popular Muppet on the children’s show – who sold the most toys. The story of puppeteer Kevin Clash is told in the film kaing its debut on ” Independent Lens” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The Wanted play “Glad You Came” and J-Lo premieres a video before someone is thrown off “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
He’s already done “The Simpsons,” so tonight Stephen Hawking makes an appearance on “the Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The week’s worth of Doris Day movies on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (8 p.m.), “The Thrill of It All” (10 p.m.), “The Glass Bottom Boat” (midnight), “It Happened to Jane” (2 a.m.) and “April in Paris” (4 a.m.).
With the season officially started, there is lots of baseball today including Red Sox at Tigers (ESPN2, 1 p.m.), Marlins at Reds (ESPN2, 4 p.m.) and Dodgers at Padres (MLB, 7 p.m.)
The Masters (ESPN, 3 p.m.) also gets under way.
Basketball is over, let’s move to college hockey with the Frozen Four (ESPN, 4:30 and 8 p.m.).
NBA action includes Knicks at Magic (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Celtics at Bulls (TNT, 9:30 p.m.). In the NHL, it’s Blue jackets at Avalanche (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: David James Elliott, Melanie Fiona, Ben Mulroney. The View: Christie Brinkley, Jill Zarin, Kerry Washington. The Talk: Lionel Richie, Jamie Krell, La Toya Jackson. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rascal Flatts, Kym Douglas.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Alec Baldwin, Eric Hutchinson (rerun). Jay Leno: Zac Efron, Jennie Garth, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Jimmy Kimmel: Lena Headey, Needtobreathe. Jimmy Fallon: Sofia Vergara, Judd Apatow, Walk the Moon. Craig Ferguson: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jennifer Coolidge. Tavis Smiley: Paul K. Chappell. Carson Daly: Piers Morgan, Thee Oh Sees. Jon Stewart: Anthony Bourdain. Stephen Colbert: Anne Rice. Conan O’Brien: Aziz Ansari, Christina Hendricks, Good Old War. Chelsea Handler: Mena Suvari, Ross Mathews, Fortune Feimster, Jo Koy (rerun).