stingthelastship

 Sting has found the refuge of rock stars of a certain age: Broadway. Though he already wrote songs for the animated Disney project “The Emperor’s New Groove,” his new “The Last Ship” is much more personal: drawn from the memories of the seaside factory where he thought he might end up in his hometown of Newcastle.
Though the work is still in progress, aiming for fall previews in New York, he performed a set of its rootsy-sounding, violin and squeezebox aided songs at the Public Theatre last October that was filmed for a full concert tonight on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
It seems like a good way to present the material and gain interest in the eventual show. With his first new set of songs in nearly a decade, he’s come up with some winning melodies and turns of phrase, though, yes, some of it still needs some work. He shares vocals with some other singers, as he will likely do on Broadway, including Jimmy Nail. He talked more about the show via satellite with journalists in January that was reported here.

It’s the women’s slalom gold medal finals on the Winter Olympics (NBC, 8 p.m.), the men’s 500 meter gold medal final in short track, the 5,000 meter relay gold medal final, the women’s 1,000 meter gold medal final and the men’s team pursuit semifinals in speed skating.

Earlier in Sochi, it’s Sweden vs. Finland (NBC Sports Network, 6:45 a.m.) and U.S. vs. Canada (11:30 a.m.) in men’s hockey and the gold medal men’s curling match of Canada vs. Great Britain (CNBC, 5 p.m.).

A former CIA agent wants to run a spy school on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).

Rachel Maddow, Steve Coogan, Charles Cooke, Michelle Alexander and former Rep. Jane Harman are guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.).

The reason “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” (NBC, midnight) is working so well is that he’s combined his quirky late night humor with star power suited for 11:35 p.m. — the time slot to which he reverts on Monday. He closes out a strong first week with an all Justin Timberlake episode.

One of the legacies of Fallon’s predecessor Jay Leno is people he introduced such as the former Ross the Intern who has since become Ross Mathews, a frequent talk show guest who now has his own show, “Hello Ross” (E!, 10 p.m.) which is back with its second season.

Before he starts Monday as host of “Late Night,” Seth Meyers pops up on “Say Yes to the Dress” (TLC, 9 p.m.).

Robby Benson, Jackee Harry and Brook Burke-Charvet are interviewed on “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” (OWN, 9 p.m.), which begs the question: How long has it been since “Dancing with the Stars” has been on anyway?

There’s a pair of reruns of “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) and three of “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.). There is no original episode of any scripted show on broadcast TV — and we’re in the middle of sweeps.

After announcing this week that he’s not coming back to “The Voice,” Cee Lo Green appears on “Treehouse Masters” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.), of all places, to lay down tracks for a new album, from high in the branches.

The best actor nominees from 1944 included winner Bing Crosby in “Going My Way” (TCM, 8 p.m.), Alexander Knox as “Wilson” (10:15 p.m.), Charles Boyer in “Gaslight” (1 a.m.) and Cary Grant in “None But the Lonely Heart” (3 a.m.).

NBA action includes Denver at Chicago (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Boston at Lakers (ESPN, 10:30p.m.).

In men’s college hoops, it’s Mercer at Florida Gulf Coast (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Virginia Commonwealth at Massachusetts (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Iowa at Rider (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and Detroit at Wright State (ESPNU, 10 p.m.).

Daytime Talk

Kelly & Michael: Howie Mandel, Norman Reedus, Kaitlyn Farrington. The View: Nene Leakes, Jerry O’Connell. The Talk: Eric McCormack, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, the Twice Baked Twins. Ellen DeGeneres: Jessica Lange, Lupita Nyong’o, Steve Spangler. Wendy Williams: Jawn Murray.

Late Talk

David Letterman: Pauley Perrette, Jeff Caldwell, Lake Street Dive. Jimmy Fallon: Justin Timberlake. Jimmy Kimmel: Nathan Fillian, Abbie Cornish, Naughty Boy with Sam Smith. Craig Ferguson: Ken Jeong, Lea Seydoux. Tavis Smiley: Sam Polk, Rhea Perlman. Arsenio Hall: Anthony Anderson, Ilyasah Shabazz, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Tata Vega. CHelsea Handler: Demi Lovato, John Caparulo, Greg Fitzsimmons, Brad Wollack (rerun).