What sounds at first like an exceedingly semetic way of looking at the Great White Way, a new examination on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9:30 p.m., check local listings) titled “Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy” is actually a very illluminating look at how the Gershwins, Irving Berlin (left), Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim came to dominate the most beloved big shows.With a musicologist’s knack at tracing melodies often back to the old country, a sociologist’s insight into their approach (as outsider, everyone could relate), and a showman’s hand at presenting it all, the work by Michael Kantor will even entertain the non-musical fan. It’s always great to talk to experts already sitting at a piano, who have examples at their fingertips.
Earlier, on an annual tradition on “Great Performances” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) is the Vienna Philarmonic New Year’s concert, conducted by Franz Weiser-Most and hosted by Julie Andrews.
When it comes to New Year’s traditions, though, “The Tournament of Roses Parade” (HGTV, NBC, 11 a.m.) is in its 123rd year. Al Roker and Alison Sweeney host the NBC broadcast from Pasadena, but the HGTV presentation is commercial-free. Jane Goodall is parade marslal.
One third of TLC, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins tries to ignite her solo career in part with a new reality series “Starting off New Again” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
One third of TLC, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins tries to ignite her solo career in part with a new reality series “Starting off New Again” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Also new tonight, “The Sisterhood” (TLC, 9 p.m.), though it sounds like another Mormon series, follows some preachers’ wives in Atlanta.
Also from Atlanta is the new “Double Divas” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), which follows the sassy Livi Rae Lingerie shop which prides itself on fitting any bra.
Cody Lundlin has a new co-host for the third season of “Dual Survival” (Discovery, 9 p.m.), Joseph Teti.
A new season starts for “Dance Moms” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) and its dictatorial leader Abby Lee Miller.
As reality TV finds that storage units exist in other cities, we have new shows such as tonight’s “Hardcore Pawn: Chicago” (tru TV, 9:30 p.m.).
Michelle Williams got nominated for her performance as Marilyn Monroe in “My Week with Mariyn” (TMC, 8 p.m.).
Bad omen for the new year: Four consecutive reruns of “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
There’s a new episode of the canceled “Emily Owens M.D.” (The CW, 9 p.m.) and a new one of “Parenthood” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Lesson from a new “Chopped” (Food, 10 p.m.): Don’t drop ourpork belly on the ground.
“Diggers” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) looks into the history of the whiskey rebellion.
“Diggers” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) looks into the history of the whiskey rebellion.
“Life” (OWN, 8 p.m.) examines primates.
The year’s first night of movies on Turner Classic Movies is full of caper movies: “The Pink Panther” (8 p.m.), “The Asphalt Jungle” (10 p.m.), “Rififi” (Midnight), “Big Deal on Madonna Street” (2:15 a.m.) and “Jack of Diamonds” (4 a.m.).
The first new TV movie of the year is apparently “The Surrogacy Trap” (Lifetime Movie network, 8 p.m.) in which a couple hires a sneaky surrogate who wants the husband for herself.
No day has more bowl games than today, with Mississippi State vs. Northwestern (ESPN2, noon) in the Gator Bowl, Purdue vs. Oklahoma State (ESPNU, noon) in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, Georgia vs. Nebraska (ABC, 1 p.m.) in the Capitol One Bowl, South Carolina vs. Michigan (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the Outback Bowl, Wisconsin vs. Stanford (ESPN, 5 p.m.) in the Rose Bowl and Northern Illinois vs. Florida State (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) in the Orange Bowl.
Daytime Talk
All reruns: Kelly & Michael: Katie Holmes, Taylor Lautner, Amare Stoudemire. The Talk: Osbourne Family, Nick Cannon. Ellen DeGeneres: Jamie Foxx, Rosemarie DeWitt, One Direction.
All reruns: Kelly & Michael: Katie Holmes, Taylor Lautner, Amare Stoudemire. The Talk: Osbourne Family, Nick Cannon. Ellen DeGeneres: Jamie Foxx, Rosemarie DeWitt, One Direction.
Late Talk
Reruns all: David Letterman: Julianna Margulies, Mumford & Sons. Jay Leno: Daniel Craig, Dave Salmoni, Diamond Rings. Jimmy Kimmel: Carson Daly, Zachary Knighton, Dan Deacon. Jimmy Fallon: Billy Crystal, Tyson Chandler, Cee-Lo Green. Craig Ferguson: Alex Salmond, Rashida Jones, the Imagineers. Carson Daly: Randy & Jason Sklar, Zak Waters, Brandi Carlile. Tavis Smiley: Kristen Stewart. Conan O’Brien: Jenny McCarthy, J.J. Abrams, Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Chelsea Handler: Judd Apatow, Bobby Lee, Heather McDonald, Ryan Stout.
Reruns all: David Letterman: Julianna Margulies, Mumford & Sons. Jay Leno: Daniel Craig, Dave Salmoni, Diamond Rings. Jimmy Kimmel: Carson Daly, Zachary Knighton, Dan Deacon. Jimmy Fallon: Billy Crystal, Tyson Chandler, Cee-Lo Green. Craig Ferguson: Alex Salmond, Rashida Jones, the Imagineers. Carson Daly: Randy & Jason Sklar, Zak Waters, Brandi Carlile. Tavis Smiley: Kristen Stewart. Conan O’Brien: Jenny McCarthy, J.J. Abrams, Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Chelsea Handler: Judd Apatow, Bobby Lee, Heather McDonald, Ryan Stout.