Whatever happens in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, there’s likely to be no drama as compelling to the one that unfolded 20 years ago, between Nancy Kerrigan, the elegant ice queen from the Northeast and the gritty, working class approach of Tonya Harding. Nanette Burstein’s documentary “The Price of Gold” on the documentary series “30 for 30” (ESPN, 9 p.m.) has more on the tough life of Harding growing up, including a contemporary interview, though nothing explains the burst of violence that marred the road to Lillehammer.
Speaking of shows about ice skaters that have little to do with skating, a gold medalist renovates a home in Italy on “The Brian Boitano Project” (HGTV, 11 p.m.).
To contrast with the more lofty Oscar nominations announced this morning, here are “The 19th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards” (The CW, 8 p.m.) is broadcast from the less than glamorous Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Voters are broadcast TV, radio and online reviewers. But a lot of top celebrities are presenters, including Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts and Matthew McConaughey. Forest Whitaker, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater all receive special awards. Aisha Tyler hosts.
After just two episodes, the spy miniseries “The Assets” was pulled; it’s being replaced tonight by a rerun of “Shark Tank” (ABC, 10 p.m.), coming after a two hour episode of “The Taste” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
The season premiere of “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) on Wednesday was its lowest rated ever, with lower 18-24 numbers than “The Voice.” Still, the auditions go on tonight.
The last vestige of Chevy Chase re-emerges on “Community” (NBC, 9 p.m.) with the reading of his will.
The Golden Globe winner for comedy — and co-hosting — Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope adjusts to her new job on “Parks and Recreation” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
Jerry Springer seems the right person to host a new series, “Tabloid” (ID, 10 p.m.), about the most lurid stories from supermarket tabloids.
With the young Alana getting older (she’s now 8), there may have to be a new redneck show to inherit the audience, so here’s the second season of the trailer park series “Welcome to Myrtle Manor” (TLC, 10 p.m.) to accompany the third season of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Why reunite your 90s R&B group if you don’t accompany it with a reality series? So here’s “SWV Reunited” (WEtv, 10 p.m.) for those who miss the group who sang “Wave.”
The month-long Thursday night salute to Joan Crawford on Turner Classic Movies continues with “The Women” (8 p.m.), “When Ladies Meet” (10:30 p.m.), “A Woman’s Face” (12:30 a.m.), “They All Kissed the Bride” (2:30 a.m.), and “Mannequin” (4:15 .m.).
NBA action includes Knicks at Pacers (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Thunder at Rockets (TNT, 9:30 p.m.). Men’s college hoops includes Ohio State at Minnesota (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) and Arizona State at Arizona (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
In NHL action, it’s Kings at Blues (NBC Sports Network, 9 p.m.).
And early round tennis play continues in the Australian Open Tennis (ESPN2, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: William H. Macy, Dr. Melina Jampolis. The View: Ice Cube, Tim Gunn, Diane Farr. The Talk: Christopher Plummer, Holly Madison, Glenn Garvin. Ellen DeGeneres: Chris Pine, Quinn Sullivan. Wendy Williams: Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, Mama June.
Late Talk
David Letterman: BrianWilliams, Rosanne Cash. Jay Leno: Mark Harmon, Gracie Gold, Kristin Chenoweth. Jimmy Kimmel: Chris Pine, Kevin O’Leary, Gregory Porter. Jimmy Fallon: Drake, Ana Gasteyer, Neon Trees. Craig Ferguson: Kenneth Branagh, Christian Finnegan. Carson Daly: Patton Oswalt, Icona Pop, Dominic Cooper. Tavis Smiley: Don Cheadle. Jon Stewart: Steven Brill. Stephen Colbert: Naquasia LeGrand. Arsenio Hall: Diahann Carroll, T-Pain. Conan O’Brien: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmy Rossum, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Chelsea Handler: Heather Graham, John Caparulo, Claire Titelman, Ross Mathews.