Robert Joffrey began his dance troupe with the idea of reviving the work decades earlier of Diaghilev and his Ballets Russes. He did so by creating a distinctly modern ballet troupe that existed at first entirely on the road. Eventually they did some of Diaghilev’s works, while upending the dance world in general. A great documentary on his work and that of Gerald Arpino, “Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance” makes its premiere on “American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), making for a highly entertaining and enlightening evening of dance on broadcast TV. And for those already missing “Homeland,” it’s narrated by Mandy Patinkin.The respected journalist concludes her two-part, four hour investigation into the Middle East and the origins of world religions in “Back to the Beginning with Christiane Amanpour” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Like everyone else (except this blog) “Fashion Police” (E, 10 p.m.) has its year in review episode, as a way to recycle old tape and jokes.
“Say Yes to the Dress” (TLC, 9 p.m.) starts a ninth season.
“Say Yes to the Dress” (TLC, 9 p.m.) starts a ninth season.
A second season finale for “Whisker Wars” (IFC, 10 p.m.) ends up where the last season did — at the German International Beard and Mustache Championships, where Jack Passion looks to reclaim his title.
I thought the show “Man Caves” (DIY, 10 p.m.) was about a man giving up and letting his wife win the argument; instead it’s about decorating his (usually basement) domain.
On the new series “Teen Trouble” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), Josh Shipp tries to help young people with his concern and problem solving skills, as well as impress them with his funky hair.
“Bering Sea Gold: Back to the Dredge” (Discovery, 10 p.m.) previews the next season of the series. There is also a behind the scenes discussion on another gold digging series, “Gold Rush: The Dirt” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
“I Love the 1880s” (History, 9 p.m.), narrated by comedians, would seem the perfect parody of the VH1 series about loving decades. Except this one comes about 10 years too late.
Prime time is stuffed with reruns including old holiday specials, “Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and “Ice Age: Mammoth Christmas” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
Did you know the former country star Ms. Yearwood has her own cooking show? It’s called “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen” (Food Network, 11 a.m.)?
The parade of Disney pricesses of the 90s continues with “Pocahontas” (ABC Family, 7:05 p.m.) and “Mulan” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.).
Just as it’s been named the most pirated series of the day, “Game of Thrones” (HBO, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.) continues its perfectly legal marathon of season two episodes.
Speaking of marathons, some people can’t get enough of “Duck Dynasty” (A&E, 8 p.m.) playing six episodes over three hours of prime time.
A couple of big surprising scenes were included in both “Alien” (Cinemax, 8 p.m.) and “The Crying Game” (Flix, 8 p.m.).
As if to remind people that this was the year they started making fake documentaries, there’s a replay of the unconvincing “Mermaids: The Body Found” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.).
The month-long Friday night salute to director Ernst Lubitsch comes to an end with a couple of his greatest: Greta Garbo in “Ninotchka” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “To Be or Not to Be” (TCM, 10 p.m.) with Carole Lombard and Jack Benny, followed by “That Lady in Ermine” (TCM, 11:45 p.m.) with Betty Grable and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and “That Uncertain Feeling” (TCM, 1:30 a.m.) with Melvyn Douglas and Burgess Meredith.
Earlier it’s all about Dr. Kildare, who before he was a TV character, turned out tons of movies from 1938 to 1942 that all seem to be on all day, from “Young Dr. Kildare” (TCM, 6:15 a.m.) and “Calling Dr. Kildare” (TCM, 7:45 a.m.) to “The Secret of Dr. Kildare” (TCM, 9:15 a.m.), “Dr. Kildare’s Strange Case” (TCM, 10:45 a.m.), “Dr. Kildare Goes Home” (TCM, 12:15 p.m.), “Dr. Kildare’s Crisis” (TCM, 1:45 a.m.), “The People vs. Dr. Kildare” (TCM, 3:15 p.m.), “Dr. Kildare’s Wedding Day” (TCM, 4:45 p.m.) and “Dr. Kildare’s Victory” (TCM, 6:15 p.m.).
Very late, there’s a couple of horror films from 1986 about alien invasion: “Night of the Creeps” (TCM, 3 a.m.) and “TerrorVision” (TCM, 4:30 a.m.).
Three more bowl games today: Ohio vs. Luisiana-Monroe (ESPN, 2 p.m.) in the Independence Bowl, Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech (ESPN, 5:30 p.m.) in the Russell Athletic Bowl and Minnesota vs. Texas Tech (ESPN, 9 p.m.) in the Bowl of Texas.
In men’s college hoops, it’s Providence at Brown (NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.), Baylor at Gonzaga (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and Missouri at UCLA (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
All reruns: Kelly & Michael: Alec Baldwin, Nicki Minaj, Miranda Cosgrove. The View: Ethan Hawke, Lewis Black, Jackie Evancho. The Talk: Chandra Wilson, Jason Latimer, Janice Min, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Miley Cyrus, Maggie Grace, Jackson Rathbone.
Late Talk
Reruns all: David Letterman: Bill Murray, Vintage Trouble. Jay Leno: Megan Fox, Johnny manziel, Colbie Caillat. Jimmy Kimmel: Ryan Seacrest, Erin Andrews, Soundgarden. Jimmy Fallon: Christoph Waltz, Amy Sedaris, Martha Wainwright. Craig Ferguson: Mindy Kaling, Carrot Top. Carson Daly: Steven Rinella, Fidlar. Tavis Smiley: Richard Gere. Chelsea Handler: Kevin Pollak, Chris Hardwick, Loni Love, Kurt Braunohler.