Oh it would have been perfect if Al Green showed up to the White House for their salute to Memphis Soul concert last week that is the basis for tonight’s special “In Performance at the White House” (PBS, 8 p.m.). There, he and the President could duet on the “Let’s Stay Together” that has earned Obama accolades.
Instead the reverend took sick, Obama didn’t sing but there were a number of other Memphis stars in the house including Mavis Staples, Steve Cropper, Sam Moore, William Bell as well as Alabama Shakes, Joshua Ledet, Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite and Cyndi Lauper. So why were Sasha and Melia filling the front row with their friends from school? Because the show also included Justin Timberlake.
A new season starts for “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) with another freezing season on the Bering Sea looking for king crab and the son of the late Phil Harris looking to lead his own ship. It’s preceded by a look at what’s to come in “Deadliest Catch: The Bait” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) and followed by talk show about a damaged boat on “Deadliest Catch: Legend of the Time Bandit” (Discovery, 10 p.m.).
It’s also a new season for “Storage Wars” (A&E, 9 p.m.), as they start looking around stuff in Stanton, Calif.
But it’s not just reality shows with season premieres. The comedy “Awkward” (MTV, 10 p.m.) takes an hour to return for a third season with Jenna navigating her way through her junior year.
Ashton Kutcher’s latest prank show, hosted by Donald Faison, is “Who Gets the Last Laugh?” (TBS, 10 p.m.). The mischief done to ordinary people is judged; a winning clip gets $10,000 for a favorite charity.
“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.) looks at the taxpayer funded stadium of the dismal Marlins and examines the role of ultra soccer fans in Egypt’s revolution.
A new season comes for the untalented Kim Zolciak and her family on the “Real HOusewives” spinoff, “Don’t Be Tardy…” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), named after her excruciating single, “Don’t Be Tardy to the Party.”
The six left on “Splash” (ABC, 8 p.m.) have to jump off the 10-meter platform.
Remaining chefs on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) have to prepare Chinese for a master chef.
Battle rounds continue at a snail’s pace on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.). So far the advisors haven’t been much help. I don’t think Joel Madden has said a thing (I hope contestants aren’t getting fashion advice from him).
Comics never do particularly well on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.). Andy Dick and D.L. Hughley currently have the lowest judges scores. Will one of them be next to go?
“Ready for Love” (NBC, 9 p.m.) really tanked in its premiere last week, partly because it’s so complicated. Also: the guys are duds, the women nothing special and it takes so long for anyone to date. It’s more like “The Dating Game” so far. But there’s one neat twist: exes are invited.
“19 Kids & Counting” (TLC, 9 p.m.) go to the local coffee shop. And there goes all the available seating.
Just over a week since the death of Margaret Thatcher comes the Meryl Streep portrayal in “The Iron Lady” (Showtime 8 p.m.).
The French comedy director Pierre Etaix, who is enjoying a posthumous revival, is featured on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “Yo Yo” (8 p.m.), “Le grand amour” (10 p.m.), “Rupture” (11:45 p.m.), “As Long As You’ve Got Your Health” (midnight), “The Suitor” (1:30 a.m.), “Seven Chances” (3 a.m.) and “Brewster’s Millions” (4 a.m.).
Earlier, the all day Chaplin may lure you from nonstop news coverage with no information, with “The Gold Rush” (TCM, 8 a.m.), “The Circus” (TCM, 9:15 a.m.), “Modern Times” (TCM, 10:30 a.m.), “The Great Dictator” (TCM, 12:30 p.m.), “A King in New York” (TCM, 2:45 p.m.) and “Limelight” (TCM, 5 p.m.).
NBA action includes Toronto at Atlanta (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Portland at Clippers (TNT, 10:30 p.m.). In the NHL, it’s Rangers at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Los Angeles at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Alan Cumming, Caroline Kennedy, Peter Facinelli. The View: Daphne Oz, Johnny Lee Miller. The Talk: Kristin Chenoweth, Lidia Bastianich, Donny Osmond (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Selena Gomez.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jim Carrey, Richard Thompson (rerun). Jay Leno: Halle Berry, Rachel Maddow, Ashley Monroe (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Morrison, New Order. Jimmy Fallon: Ice-T, Chris Hardwick, Little Green Cars (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Selma Blair, Nathan Fielder. Carson Daly: Jim Jefferies, Nathan Fielder, Tomahawk (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Paul Anka. Jon Stewart: Tom Cruise. Stephen Colbert: Caroline Kennedy. Conan O’Brien: Russell Brand, Jimmy Pardo, Beth Hart. Chelsea Handler: Octavia Spencer, Moshe Kasher, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Brad Wollack.