Eventually, when the original James Bond adventures have long ago run out and cable has replayed “Goldfinger” (BBC America, 8 p.m.) to the breaking point, it may be time to write something in a similar vein but instead be about the author.
Such thinking has given us films about Jane Austen and now, the author of “Mary Poppins” in “Saving Mr. Banks.” Now here’s a canny series about the 007 author, “Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
The four part series (oh, these British series are short) traces with a bit of license the life of Ian Fleming, in the days before he wrote his spy novels, suggesting the inspiration of characters from Moneypenny to M in those he worked for in the British Naval Intelligence. Fleming was cool and crafty as his creation, and also had an eye for the ladies, who he claims were as into sadomasochism as he was.
Dominic Cooper makes for an amiable writer, cool and hard to like at first, but compelling. Among his women are Lara Pulver and Annabelle Wallis. But rather than a reflection of the 60s, the series is largely a World War II era caper, but as well done and full of rich detail as you’d expect from the BBC. Bond fans take note.
Someday there’ll be a Bob Kane movie, but until then more of his creation, from “Batman Begins” (IFC, 8 p.m.) to “The Dark Knight” (AMC, 8 p.m.).
“American Horror Story: Coven” (FX, 10 p.m.) crashes into its season finale with all the bombast and blood one would expect as a new Supreme witch is named.
The physicist Stephen Hawking is profiled in the documentary “Hawking” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
The finale of “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) moves to Hawaii, where they are to make a delicacy of Spam. The final three will be joined by the returning chef from “Last Chance Kitchen.”
The road to overkill is upon us, so here is “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials 2014” (CBS, 8 p.m.), which is to say it’s not the greatest Super Bowl commercials from this year, but this year’s version of the same old special they do every year. Boomer Esiason and Sarah Shahi host. The big game will also presumably be a main subject on “Inside the NFL” (Showtime, 9 p.m.). and undoubtedly on the “Fox Super Bowl Daily” (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
Miley Cyrus does her own “MTV Unplugged” (MTV, 9 p.m.). But I’m less interested in acoustic versions of her songs than I am renditions that don’t require sticking out her tongue. Madonna is special guest; hope she’s not wearing that hat and cane.
On “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.), Juliette isn’t apologizing for her behavior in being inducted into the Grand Old Opry.
Mariska Hargitay’s character finally makes sergeant on “Law & Order; Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
Colin Stafford-Johnson revisits the crested black macaques in Indonesia, whom he brands “The Funkiest Monkeys,” on a new “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
The rapper DMC joins the third season premiere of “Toy Hunter” (Travel, 9 p.m.), in which we presume he looks for toy Adidas.
“American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) auditions move to Salt Lake City which, except for the Osmonds, is not known as a hotbed of musical talent.
May I once more suggest the new comedy “BroadCity” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.), which aids from running after “Workaholics” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) but is probably better than it.
They finally get around to the State of the Union address on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.).
Winners of the 2013 Academy Governs Awards are noted on Turner Classic Movies: Angela Lansbury in “The Manchurian Candidate” (8 p.m.) and “The Harvey Girls” ( 10:15 p.m.), Steve Martin in “Pennies from Heaven” (12:15 a.m.) and “Father of the Bride” (2:15 a.m.) and and Italian costume desiner Piero Tosi, , whose work was seen in “I Compagni” (4:15 a.m.).
NBA action includes Oklahoma cit at Miami (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Chicago at San Antonio (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.). In hockey, Rangers at Islanders (NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops include North Carolina at Georgia Tech (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Memphis at Central Florida (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Rutgers at Temple (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Arizona at Stanford (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Iowa State at Kansas (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Butler at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Belmont at Morehead State (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. and Arizona State at California (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Victor Crus, Sarah Hyland, James Blunt. The View: John Stamos, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, Anthony Bourdain, La La Anthony, Jay Mohr. The Talk: Wanda Sykes, Jessica Radoff, Sara Gilbert. Ellen DeGeneres: Jay Leno, Terry Crews. Wendy Williams: Chloe Melas, Tahj Mowry.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Drew Brees, B.J. Novak, David Stern, Against Me! Jay Leno: Bill Maher, Whitney Cummings, Jennifer Nettles. Jimmy Kimmel: Andy Garcia, Norman Van Aken, Broken Bells. Jimmy Fallon: Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Ronan Farrow, Sheng Wang. Craig Ferguson: Kevin Bacon, Karla Souza (rerun). Carson Daly: David Koechner, Chvrches. Tavis Smiley: Teller, Hilary Hahn. Jon Stewart: Johnny Knoxville. Stephen Colbert: Cris Carter. Arsenio Hall: Paula Abdul, Vernon Davis, Les Twins, DJ Kid Capri. Conan O’Brien: Don Cheadle, Josh Hopkins, Hard Working Americans. Chelsea Handler: Emma Roberts, Chris Franjola, Sarah Colonna, Dusin Ybarra.