The cave of Chauvet-Pontd’Arc in Southern France, where 30,000 year old cave drawings were found by archeologists in 1994, is the subject of Werner Herzog’s acclaimed documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” (History, 10 p.m.), making its apparent TV debut.Herzog was moved to film the cave after reading an account of its discovery in the New Yorker. He had to film under tight restrictions, with only a team of three staying to a tiny walkway for only a few hours a day. Originally shot in 3-D, it ought to be arresting even in two dimensions.
It’s the best of the movie premieres tonight, which include “Big Miracle” (HBO, 8 p.m.), an Alaskan save the whales caper starring John Krasinski and Drew Barrymore; the dog loving “Darling Companion” with Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline, directed by Lawrence Kasdan; and “Asylum Blackout” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.) about cooks among the criminally insane with Rupert Evans.
In the one original new movie on tonight, the story of Sarah Jo Pender, who was convicted in a murder plot, escaped and was caught months later after appearing on “America’s Most Wanted,” is retold in “She Made Them Do It” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), which will at least be a refreshing change from the Christmas fare.
Pretty bad time slot for the misfiring scripted series on young people “Underemployed” (MTV, 8 p.m.).
Crowbar to the head is one of the “Untold Stories of the E.R.” (TLC, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.).
The three hour “Heroes of Hell’s Highway” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) looks at those who secure the supply routes in Afghanistan.
The holidays are a good time for a cry, so Turner Classic Movies programs some of the greatest tearjerkers: “The Way We Were” (8 p.m.), “Love Affair” (10:15 p.m.) and “Now, Voyager” (midnight) followed by “West Side Story” (2 a.m.) and “Brief Encounter” (4:45 a.m.).
Sonic Youth and The Black Keys plays a rerun of “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Players have an opportunity to upgrade their camp on a new episode of “Redneck Island” (CMT, 9 p.m.).
“Chainsaw Gang” (CMT, 10 p.m.) ends its fifrst season with a couple of episodes.
Previous subjects of “Iyanla, Fix My Life” get an update on “Iyanla, Fix My Life Reloaded” (OWN, 10 p.m.). First up is “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada.
Two Central Park ceremonies have their drawbcks on the first season finale of “Marry Me in NYC” (WE, 11 p.m.).
A handful of bowl games are on today starting with Rice vs. Air Force (ESPN, 11:45 a.m.) in the Armed Forces Bowl, West Virginia vs. Syracuse (ESPN, 3:15 p.m.), in the Pinstripe Bowl, Navy vs. Arizona State (ESPN2, 4 p.m.) in the Fight Hunger Bowl, Texas vs. Oregon State (ESPN, 6:45 p.m.) and Texas Christian vs. Michigan State (ESPN, 10:15 p.m.) in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
In men’s college hoops, it’s Santa Clara at Duke (ESPN2, noon), UNLV at North Carolina (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Kentucky at Louisville (CBS, 4 p.m), Washington at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) and Butler at Vanderbilt (ESPNU, 8 p.m.).
In women’s college basketball, it’s Connecticut at Stanford (ESPNU, 4 p.m.).
The Anne Hathaway hosted “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) from earlier this season with Rihanna gets a repeat.