Without mentioning Paul Newman, Robert Redford or raindrops falling on your head, the actual story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid could be even more fascinating. As laid out on a new “American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), hard times and the romance of the West lured Robert Leroy Parker and Harry Alonzo Longabaugh into crime — and fancy nicknames.
Their pairing on the vast Outlaw Trail led to what seemed to be an easy crime: train robbery. That is, until railroads got wise and hired Pinkerton’s. The two were forced to go on the lam all the way to Argentina, where their return to crime did not go well. Told in part by Western historians who look as colorful as cowboys, the actual tale of the two springs to vivid life with solid recreations. It makes you think that somebody ought to make a movie about them.
The 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (USA, 8 p.m.) wraps up its two day event by crowning a Best in Show.
There is a lot more Winter Olympics (NBC, 8 p.m.) however, including Shaun White going for gold in the halfpipe snowboard. Other events include women’s freestyle skiing, women’s ski jumping and the pairs short program figure skating. Daytime coverage at 3 p.m. includes women’s singles luge, women’s cross-country and women’s freestyle slopestyle skiing.
Here’s a 60th anniversary that hasn’t been tackled this year yet: The golden anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Brown v. the Board of Education that desegregated schools. “Nick News with Linda Ellerbee” (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.) explores the ramifications, for kids.
“Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) takes a timely look at Syria and the fight of rebel forces against extremist factions. The correspondent is Muhammad Ali (different guy).
Nothing like revenge to motivate Raylan on “Justified” (FX, 10 p.m.).
The death of Philip Seymour Hoffman makes the viewing of his role in “Doubt” (FX Movie Channel, 8 p.m.) worth revisiting.
Networks are doing weird things against the Winter Games. Here’s three reruns of “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8, 8:30 and 9 p.m.), one “Trophy Wife” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.) and a burn-off of the doomed “Killer Women” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Reruns of “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.), “NCIS: L.A.” (CBS, 9 p.m.) and “Person of Interest” (CBS, 10 p.m.) and ea weird movie “Attack the Block” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
But Fox forges ahead with two new episodes of “Dads” (Fox, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) — consolation: it’s also the season finale — as well as new episodes of “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.) and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
The nearly forgotten series “Twisted” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.), not seen for nearly six months, returns, following a time-traveling “Pretty Little Liars” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.).
“Shahs of Sunset” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) ends its season, still without securing a nuclear program.
The 1956 nominees for the best adapted screenplay are on Turner Classic Movies tonight, with the winning “Around the World in 80 Days” (8 p.m.) followed by “Friendly Persuasion” (11:15 p.m.), “Baby Doll” (1:45 p.m.) and “Lust for Life” (3:45 a.m.).
NBA action includes Sacramento at Cleveland (NBA, 7 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Oklahoma State at Texas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Florida at Tennessee (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Wake Forest at North Carolina State (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Marquette at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Michigan at Ohio State (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Xavier at Butler (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Mississippi at Alabama (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Utah State at Colorado State (CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.) and San Diego State at Wyoming (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Colin Farrell, Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, Mama June Shannon. The View: Kelly Rowland, Katie Beers, Floyd Norman, Josh Elliott. The Talk: Lori Loughlin, Thea Andrews, chef Gesine Bullock-Prado. Ellen DeGeneres: Kevin Hart. Wendy Williams: Sarah Jessica Parker.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Scarlett Johannson, John Grant (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Gary Oldman, Richard Sherman, Malcolm Smith, Crosses. Craig Ferguson: Jason Alexander, Regina Hall. Tavis Smiley: Floyd Norman. Jon Stewart: Elizabeth Kolbert. Stephen Colbert: Charlie Crist. Arsenio Hall: Mekhi Phifer, Les, Seth & Ashley Gold, Anthony Hamilton. Conan O’Brien: Abrey Plaza, Joel Kimmaman, Toni Braxton, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Chelsea Handler: Eliza Skinner, Loni Love, Ryan Stout.