In the season of Frankenstein, and decades after “The $6 Billion Dollar Man,” scientists take up the challenge to build a cyborg copy of a man entirely from bionic body parts on the special “The Incredible Bionic Man” (Smithsonian Channel, 9 p.m.).
In a project based in London, engineers using the latest in prosthetic parts build the best bionic man yet — something better than a robot the week “Almost Human” premieres, including its own pumping heart and circulatory blood system.
One of the team knows firsthand of some of the new products. Dr. Berthold Meyer is using the latest bionic hand, with a motor in every finger.
The model of the Bionic Man is on display at the recently reopened Smithsonian.
The season premiere of “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 10 p.m.) last week drew not just the biggest non-sports TV audience of the fall, it was the biggest entertainment audience in three years, with 16.1 million watching. The improved pace continues for the show in episode two as more becomes known about the mysterious disease inside the gates.
Another glimpse of Margaret on “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO, 9 p.m.) as Willy’s college problems get more attention and a Torrio vs. Capone war brewing.
In the new “Covert Kitchen” (Spike, 11 p.m.), Graham Elliott of “MasterChef” visits fringe restaurants and pop-up operations.
After last week’s unusual episode of “Homeland” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), other elements of the story return, from Saul to Dana, as Carrie is courted to possibly become a counterspy.
A couple of aspects of Virginia’s story are explored on “Masters of Sex” (Showtime, 10 p.m.). First her ex husband shows up for a study and William shows up at a dinner party.
“Hello Ladies” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.) is getting deeper into pure cringe as Stuart and Jessica get themselves invited to a fancy dinner party, only to utterly embarrass themselves.
There is fallout from the waterpark fisticuffs on “Eastbound & Down” (HBO, 10 p.m.) as neighborhood spaghetti night is threatened.
They’re off to Norway on “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.), now permanently adjusted to accommodate the inevitable football runover.
Whole lotta Oprah on tonight: In addition to talking to Arsenio Hall on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN, 9 p.m.) Ms. Winfrey herself is seen starring in the 1989 “The Women of Brewster Place” (BET, 6 and 8:30 p.m.).
Talk about spoiler alerts. A bunch of reruns of the old “Breaking the Magician’s Code” (BIO, 8 p.m.) takes up all of prime time.
Football today includes Patriots at Jets (CBS, 1 p.m.), Chicago at Washington (Fox, 1 p.m.), 49ers at Titans (Fox, 4 p.m.), Browns at Packers (CBS, 4:25 p.m.) and Broncos at Colts (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) in Sunday Night Football.
With the league championships wrapped up, there will just be animation reruns on Fox tonight including an hour of “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 and 8:30 p.m.).
In a Rock Hudson/Doris Day double bill from the 1960s, it’s “Lover Come Back” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “Send Me No Flowers” (10 p.m.).
While fireworks are expected on the Sunday morning talk shows, with Sen. Ted Cruz on the same bill as Nancy Pelosi on ABC, and with critic John McCain on CNN, President Obama and Senate Majority Leader talk to Jorge Ramos on the Spanish language “Al Punto” (Univision, 10 a.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Ted Cruz, former Gov. Jeb Bush. CBS: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sens. Mark Warner and Lindsey Graham. NBC: Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Tom Coburn. Israeli Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu. CNN: Sens. Cruz and John McCain. Fox News: Sens. Marco Rubio, Roy Blunt, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin.