I write all the time about the TV Critics Association press tours, but it’s never made its way to the screen until tonight’s episode of “Episodes” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.), in which the cast and writers of “Pucks!” wonder why they’re forced to mingle with people who hate their show. There are pangs of truth in the episode, though their critics certainly dress better.
It’s nifty that it’s 50 years ago exactly — and a Sunday — that the Beatles hit “The Ed Sullivan Show.” But the special put together to salute it, “The Night that Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles” (CBS, 8 p.m.) isn’t a repeat of the original, which would have been cool. Instead, it seems a random collection of musicians from Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley to John Meyer, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, Eurythmics, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Dave Grohl and Imagine Dragons. The two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, also perform, together and apart in a special that sounds like an extended Grammy show salute.
The Winter Olympics (NBC, 7 p.m.) has medal rounds for figure skating team event, women’s and ice dancing free skates, the finals for men’s Alpine skiing, women’s snowboarding and men’s ski jumping.
“60 Minutes” (CBS, 7 p.m.) digs out an old Philip Seymour Hoffman interview in the wake of his death a week ago. Another report on drugs suggests that women and men are affected differently by the sleep drug Ambien. A third report shows how providing apartments for the chronically homeless can save taxpayers money.
“The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) returns with new episodes and “Talking Dead” (AMC, 10 p.m.) returns for more fawning about the action. It also means that host Chris Hardwick is on TV six days a week.
“Game of Thrones” doesn’t start until April 7, but they are putting on an extended 15 minute look at the new season, “Game of Thrones: Ice and Fire: A Foreshadowing” (HBO, 8:45 p.m.). As if you need that to tune into TV’s currently best drama, “True Detective” (HBO, 9 p.m.), returning after a one week absense. Tonight features one of the best shot drug raid/mayhem scenes I can remember.
There’s more fallout from Edith and Rose’s men adventures on “Downton Abbey” on “Masterpiece Classic” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), now without the addition of “Sherlock” at its end. Instead, another British import: Lydia Wilson, Joanna Lumley and Linus Roache in “The Making of a Lady” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local lisitings).
Pretty good network counter-programming: “Toy Story 3” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Hanna’s new job at the GQ Magazine advertorial section gives her a chilling look at the dream killing that goes on in the workaday world on a new “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.). And in the show’s most unusual pairing yet, Marnie introduces Ray to reality TV.
Fiona’s bad decision comes to a head on a new “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
Doris and Hugo go to the Folsom Street Fair on a new “Looking” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.), giving the first extended glimpse at a female in the show’s history.
Bill Clinton presides over a “ESPN Town Hall: Kids and Sports” (ESPN2, 88 p.m.) about the availability of organized sports in all communties. Kobe Bryant and Mike Greenberg also take part.
A “Beachfront Hunt” (HGTV, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) leads to “Hawaii Life” (HGTV, 9 and 9:30 p.m.).
The story of the 1951 University of San Francisco football team, which refused to sit out two African-American players in order to play a bowl game, is told in the documentary “51 Dons” (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
The musical “The Great Ziegfeld” (TCM, 10 p.m.) won the best picture Oscar for 1936, but what else was nominated? Well,the included “Dodsworth” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Anthony Adverse” (TCM, 3:40 a.m.) and “Romeo and Juliet” (TCM, 4 a.m.).
There are other sports going on today. In the NBA, New York at Oklahoma City (ABC, 1 p.m.) and Chicago at Lakers (ABC, 3:30 p.m.).
In men’s college hoops, it’s Michigan State at Wisconsin (CBS, 1 p.m.), Temple at Houston (ESPNews, 2 p.m.), Charlotte at Southern Mississippi (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Massachusetts at Rhode Island (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.), Connecticut at Central Florida (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), Creighton at St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.) and Washington at Colorado (ESPNU, 8 p.m.).
Women’s college basketball includes Louisville at Connecticut (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Penn State at Ohio State (ESPN2, 2 p.m.) and Oklahoma State at Baylor (ESPN2, 4 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Reps. Mike Rogers, Keith Ellison and Tom Cole, former White House adviser David Plouffe. CBS: Sens. Dick Durbin and Kelly Ayotte, Rep. Peter King. NBC: U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Rob Portman. CNN: Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Fox News: Sens. Roy Blunt and Ben Cardin, Reps. Mike McCaul and Adam Schiff.