Talk about the wrong series for the wrong time.
The high budget serial killer yarn “The Following” (Fox, 9 p.m.) features too many rooms of bloody bodies as it tries to creep us out, but succeeds mostly in being unpalatable entertainment after Newtown.
Kevin Bacon stars in the over-the-top saga from Kevin Williamson (“Scream”) which finds him back chasing a serial killer who slaughtered 14 women on the campus where he used to teach; he kills another five guards to escape from the prison. Bacon’s alcoholic character has a grudging respect for the killer, despite the fact he retains an injury form him. and the murderer James Purefoy (“Rome”) has amassed a bunch of fans who do his deadly bidding (hence the title).
it’s the kind of thing that’d be better suited to cable than as a follow-up to “Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.). But even that other cable serial killer “Dexter” has a little more sense of humor than this grim thing.
President Obama took his oath for his second term Sunday. So everything he does today is just for show. ANd it might be a good one. Coverage of the Presidential Inauguration (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CSPAN, Fox News, 9 p.m.) begins early. Activity starts about 10 p.m. with the speech set at about 11 a.m. Beyonce will sing the national anthem. Follwingis the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, and tonight all the inaugural balls.
Wayne White got his start designing sets and puppets on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” and other children’s shows like “Shining Time Station” and “Beakman’s World.” HE went on to direct the memorable videos for Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time” and Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.” And only then did he become an artist, concentrating on big 3D letters as he did with “Nixon” which appeared on the cover of the Lambchop alubm of the same name. Neil Berkeley made a film of his life, “Beauty is Embarrassing,” which makes its debut tonight on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings). White, Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham and Gary Panter are among those interviewed.
Lots of people are turning up dead on TV: the founder of “College Girls Gone Cazy” on “Castle” (ABC, 10 p.m.); a prostitute who associated with a congressman on “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Beach volleyball is the group date activity tonight on “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.). Sean goes for a kissing record with Lesley M., and somebody falls down the stairs.
Trainers visit the kids’ homes tonight on “Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Matthew Rhys, set to star in the new series “The Americans” next week, is featured instead on a TV movie who meets his twin in “The Scapegoat” (Ovation, 8 p.m.).
Natalie Morales guest stars on “90210” (The CW, 9 p.m.). Xander Berkeley is werewolf on a new “Being Human” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
Taipei is the destination for “The Layover with Anthony Bourdain” (Travel, 9 p.m.).
“Ultimate Spider-Man” (Disney XD, 7 pm.) swings in with a new animated series.
A miniaturized “Wild Kratts” (PBS, check local listings) swims among the plankton.
NBA action includes Pacers at Grizzlies (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Spurs at 76ers (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Lakers at Bulls (TNT, 9:30 p.m.).
In men’s college basketball, it’s Cincinnati at Syracuse (ESPN, 3:20 p.m.), Georgetown at Notre Dame (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) and Texas at Oklahoma (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.). In women’s games it’s Duke at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
The films of Dick Van Dyke,who will be given a lifetime achievement award by the The Screen Actors Guild later this month, are featured tonight on Turner Classic Movies: “Divorce, American Style” (8 p.m.), “Cold Turkey” (10 p.m.), “Fitzwilly” (midnight), “Bye Bye Birdie” (2 a.m.) and “Some kind of Nut” (4 a.m.).
Encore is showing movies featuring presidents: “The Ides of March” (Encore, 6 p.m.), “The American President” (Encore, 8 p.m.), “Air Force One” (Encore, 10 p.m.) and “Wag the Dog” (Encore, midnight).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jimmy Fallon, Nene Leakes (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Chris Colfer, Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio.
Late Talk
Dacid Letterman: Jamie Foxx, Julie Chen, DIIV (rerun). Jay Leno: Sally Field, Michael Kosta, Lord Huron. Jimmy Kimmel: Ryan Gosling, Brad Paisley (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Michael Bloomberg, Sloane Crosley (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Kristen Stewart, Sloane Crosley (rerun). Carson Daly: Dae Zirin, Bre Pettis, the Jezabels (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Dr. Clayborne Carson. Jon Stewart: Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Stephen Colbert: Ta-Nehisi Coates. Conan O’Brien: Timothy Olyphant, Busy Philipps, Coheed & Cambria. Chelsea Handler: Gael Garcia Bernal, John Caparulo, Annie Lederman, Ben Gleib.