Jeremy Piven at first seems exactly the wrong person to star in the latest costume drama from the BBC, “Mr. Selfridge” making its bow on “Masterpiece Classic” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
But it turns out he’s just right portraying the Chicago-born department store magnate, who uses bluster and ambition to create someting new in shopping in skeptical turn of the last century London.
It’s still an odd tale, less witty than we would expect from Andrew Davies, who adapted “Pride and Prejudice” and “Little Dorrit.” There are some cast members of interst such as Frances O’Connor who plays his wife. But there seems little reason why this should be an eight-part miniseries. Where is it going to go after the opening gala, the back to school sale, the spring half price sale, and boxing day?
Still better, and a little more assured of itself, is “Call the Midwife” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) returning for its second season. Its slavishly detailed period is the 1950s East End, just new to the visiting nurses of the National Health Service
“The Walking Dead” (ABC, 9 p.m.) reaches its protracted season finale with Angela’s fate in the balance. Her onetime boyfriend, the Governor, has her in the torture chair, and Rick is on his way with Daryl and Michonne to finally confront him. It sure has taken a long time to get to this one confrontation.
“The Bible” (History, 8 p.m.) ends its surprisingly popular run with its crucifixion finale that also saves some time for Revelations. It may be overshadowed by older Easter movies: “The Robe” (TCM, 8 p.m.), the first film shot in CinemaScope, and its sequel, “Demetrius and the Gladiators” (TCM, 10:30 p.m.) as well as Cecil B. DeMille’s silent “The King of Kings” (TCM, 12:15 a.m.) from 1927.
Dylan Baker and Gary Cole return to “The Good Wife” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Hey, it’s Opening Night for Major League Baseball with a game from the Lone Star State: Texas at Houston (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
The road to the Final Four comes directly for the winners of Michigan vs. Florida (CBS, 2:30 p.m.) and Duke vs. Louisville (CBS, 5:05 p.m.).
In the Women’s NCAA basketball tournament, it’s Kansas vs. Notre Dame (ESPN, noon), Nebraska vs. Duke (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.), Oklahoma vs. Tennessee (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.) and Louisville vs. Baylor (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.).
It may be silly to spend your Sunday night rerunning the week’s episodes of “The Voice” (NBC, 7 and 9 p.m.). But if it means an hour long episode of “Celebrity Apprentice” (NBC, 10 p.m.), I’m all for it.
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) continues its time in Botswana, trying not to be too condescending to the bushmen.
It wasn’t as big a deal as the Great Pumpkin, but let’s try it: “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” (ABC, 7 p.m.). It is Halloween, meanwhile, on “Revenge” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.) is not a dating show; it’s a spinoff of “Wicked Tuna” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
Another big Disney double feature: “The Lion King” (ABC Family, 7 p.m.) and “Beauty and the Beast” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.). Other feature animation tonight includes “Hop” (HBO Family, 7 p.m.) and “Megamind” (FX, 8 and 10 p.m.). But “Snow White and the Huntsman” (HBO, 6:45 p.m.) isn’t the one with Dopey and Sneezy.
NHL action includes Chicago at Detroit (NBC, 12:30 p.m.) Washington at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 6 p.m.) and Boston at Buffalo (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Rep. Peter King. CBS: Dolan. NBC: Sens. Chuck Schumer and Jeff Flake, David Axelrod, former Rep. Tom Davis, National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown. CNN: Sens. Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, strategists Donna Brazile, Kevin Madden, attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson, challenging Prop 8 before the Supreme Court. Fox News: Retired Capt. Mark Kelly, Cardinal Donald Wuerl.