Oscar nominations are still made at the crack of dawn in 10 minutes, but they turn Grammy nominations into their own prime time music specials.
The sixth annual event tonight promises performances by Drake, pictured above, Robin Thicke, Lorde, Earth Wind and Fire, Miguel, Keith Urban and Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis all from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Two other performers will be seen from concert dates on other parts of the globe — Katy Perry from Canada and Taylor Swift from Australia.
Network star and onetime recording artist, L.L. Cool J returns to host “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live: Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” (CBS, 10 p.m.). Among those presenting are Arsenio Hall, Enrique Iglesias and Ed Sheeran. The 56th Grammy Awards themselves will be awarded next month, on Jan. 26.
The death of Nelson Mandela Thursday at 95 brings two documentaries in tribute, “Nelson Mandela: One Man” (TV One, 9 p.m.) and “Music for Mandela” (TV One, 10 p.m.). There is also a schedule change on “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.) focusing on the remarkable South African leader.
The bracing and moving series “Time of Death” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) concludes its first season. The first symptom is denial.
For half a century, standup comedy depended on the brick backing wall of one club that originated in New York but found a home in Los Angeles. In the documentary “The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall” (Epix, 10 p.m.) features interviews with comics from Jerry Seinfeld and Roy Romano to Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon, Larry David, Lewis Black, Richard Lewis, Sarah Silverman, Kathy Griffin, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Judd Apatow.
When it’s over there will be time to turn to another comedy special, “Chris D’Elia: White Male, Black Comic” (Comedy Central, midnight).
Carrie has writer’s block on “The Carrie Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.). Maybe it’s time tofive up that dream of being a New York columnist.
A couple more old holiday specials make their return: “Frosty the Snowman” (CBS, 8 p.m.) featuring the voice of a man who’s been dead 33 years, Jimmy Durante; and the more recent “Yes, Virginia” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
Other holiday fare includes “The Three Gifts” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), “Finding Mrs. Claus” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “Four Christmases” (TBS, 8 p.m.), “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.), “Single Santa” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.), “Fred Claus” (TBS, 10 p.m.) and “The Real St. Nick” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
If you didn’t see it, the George W. Bush appearance is repeated on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC, 11:35), which I found very strange. He used to be President of the United States, you know.
It would seem timely to have Bono on “The Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.) to talk about Mandela,but that’s a rerun too, from September.
Turner Classic Movies begins a month-long, 24-film retrospective on “The Hollywood Costume” that starts with “Blonde Venus” (8 p.m.), “Cleopatra” (10 p.m.), “Casablanca” (midnight), “Auntie Mame” (2 a.m.) and “The Women” (4:30 a.m.).
NBA action includes Nuggets at Celtics (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.); in the NHL, Anaheim at Chicago (NHL, 8 p.m.).
In men’s college basketball, it’s Arizona State at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), South Carolina at Oklahoma State (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.) and Kentucky at Baylor (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
And how will the World Cup shake out next year? Here’s the World Cup draw (ESPN2, Univision, 11:30 a.m.)
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: John Goodman, Lupita Nyong’o, Colbie Caillat. The View: Rick Warren, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Daniel Amen, Cameron Mathison, Jennie Garth. The Talk: Geoffrey Rush, Tim Conway, Fabio Viviani. Ellen DeGeneres: Kelly Clarkson. Wendy Williams: Carla Hall, Joe Levy, Sharon Carpenter.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bono, Johnny Galecki, Kings of Leon (rerun). Jay Leno: George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Barbara Walers, Josh Gad, Fall Out Boy (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Edward Norton, Judd Apatow, Pearl Jam (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Joe Saldana, Mitche Albom. Carson Daly: Ilan Hall, Davy Rothbart, White Denim (rerun). Tavis Smiley: The Sugarhill Gang, the Whispers (rerun). Arsenio Hall: Porsha Stewart, Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks. Chelsea Handler: Jena Malone, John Caparulo, Arden Myrin, Ryan Stout (rerun).