The first action from Sochi is presented in the clumsily titled XXII Winter Olympics 2014 Primetime (NBC, 8 p.m.), with figure skating, snowboarding and women’s freestyle skiing on the schedule. NBC will do its best to introduce its coverage, but how will it do overall in covering the news in volatile Sochi, where dogs run free, gay rights are strained and the latest terrorist warnings come regarding toothpaste tubes? Opening ceremonies are tomorrow.
He’s said goodbye to “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m.) before, so maybe that’s why Jay Leno’s farewell on the show after 22 years is less a big deal than it might have been (compared to, say, the Winter Olympics). Stars have been saying farewell for weeks. Tonight, on the final Leno show, Billy Crystal, who was Jay’s first guest there will tonight also be his last. Garth Brooks will sing and there will be other surprises. George W. Bush? Conan O’Brien?
Making the candidates on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.) form groups on their first days in Hollywood is stressful, in part because it involves aspects the singers won’t need for the rest of the competition, including choreography, harmony and working in teams. From how things looked on Wednesday’s program, it doesn’t seem like many of them are ready to go.
The nerds prepare for Valentine’s Day on “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 8 p.m.), which may have to move to a different night in the fall as CBS announced a slate of Thursday night NFL games.
The eight remaining chefs on “The Taste” (ABC, 8 p.m.) have to make dessert.
Patti gets new employees on “The Millionaire Matchmaker” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
The 1966 Oscar nominees for best actress are on Turner Classic Movies, starting with winner Elizabeth Taylor in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (8 p.m.), followed by Lynn Redgrave in “Georgy Girl” (10:30 p.m.), Vanessa Redgrave in “Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment” (12:30 a.m.), Anouk Aimee in “A Man and a Woman” (2:15 a.m.) and Ida Kaminska in “The Shop on Main Street” (4:15 p.m.).
In NBA action, it’s San Antonio at Brooklyn (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Chicago at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops include Louisiana State at Georgia (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Connecticut at Cincinnati (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Robert Morris at LIU Brooklyn (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Rhode Island at Virginia Commonwealth (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Temple at Southern Methodist (ESPNews, 8 p.m.), Oregon at Arizona (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Texas El-Paso at East Carolina (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Penn State at Michigan State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Tulsa at Louisiana Tech (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Murray State at Belmont (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Oregon State at Arizona State (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.) and Santa Clara at Brigham Young (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: George Clooney, Karmin. The View: Nicole Oulson & T.J. Grimaldi, Vince Gill, Paul Franklin, Ana Navarro. The Talk: Kunal Nayyar, Edward Lee. Ellen DeGeneres: Channing Tatum, Kate McKinnon. Wendy Williams: Michael Ealy, Little Mix.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Michael Keaton, the Flaming Lips with Sean Lennon. Jay Leno: Billy Crystal, Garth Brooks. Jimmy Kimmel: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Bob Balaban. Jimmy Fallon: Colin Farrell, Chris Pratt, 2 Chainz. Craig Ferguson: John Goodman. Tavis Smiley: Merry Clayton, Darlene Love. Jon Stewart: Robyn Doolittle. Stephen Colbert: Paul Krugman. Arsenio Hall: will.i.am, Zoey Deutsch, Jason Derulo. Conan O’Brien: The cast “The Walking Dead,” White Denim. Chelsea Handler: McG, Jeff Wild, Cameron Esposito, Matt Braunger.