In a season when I’m ambivalent about what so many others are unaccountably excited about, from “Hannibal” to “Scandal,” there’s one new series I’m much more excited about than just about anybody else I’ve met who’s seen it: “Those Who Kill” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
Like another of my recent favorites, “The Bridge,” it’s based on a Danish detective series and stars a brooding blonde who hardly ever smiles. That it is yet another series that involves overly elaborate and garish crimes, it is (again like “The Bridge”) footed in place — in this case, post industrial rust belt Pittsburgh. No Hollywood lot, this, we get a feel for the Midwest, its unforgiving landscape and the struggles of its people (though some Pittsburgh people decry it for missing the nuances of local dialect).
Chloe Sevigny may be the key to all of the series’ success. She’s intense and can convey so much wordlessly, hiding her own secrets and motivations as she relentlessly solves crimes. And what is very different is that, from the pilot at least, things happen very quickly in a way that would take weeks and weeks on similar premium cable shows. I for one can’t wait to see more of “Those Who Kill.”
It might get a boost because it follows the second season premiere of “Bates Motel” (A&E 9 p.m.), which I’m perfectly willing to take up again, though it’s still strange that a “Psycho” prequel is set in the present time. Its biggest fans talk about the show’s humor, which I’m not sure is the tone one should be after in a thriller.
Juan Pablo has had twice as many women voluntarily quit the show in recent weeks as he has eliminated. So there may be a lot to talk about on “The Bachelor: The Women Tell All” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
The Military Channel has become the American Heroes Channel today, and not just because of the salute to Heroes at the Oscars. It begins with a new series “Against the Odds” (AHC, 10 p.m.), which is not to be confused with the 1984 Rachel Ward movie. It’s about Marines who survived their wartime battles. Earlier, “Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To” (AHC, 9 p.m.) looks at the film of combat cameramen, first with film from a Vietnam battle.
More rich people get reality shows, this one set in Charleston, S.C., “Southern Charm” (Bravo, 10 p.m.), seemingly populated by horrible people. On another new reality series, “Going Wild” (Nat Geo Wild, 8 p.m.) people try to pick up their lives by taking wildlife trips. First up a couple on the rocks who are now there literally at Owyhee Canyon in Oregon.
People sing and chairs spin as blind auditions continue on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Of course it’s a big night for “The Fashion Police” (E!, 9:30 p.m.) who have a 90 minute show dedicated to the Oscar fashions. By this point, Pharrell Williams is just doing things to get them worked up.
Every late night talk show comic has been talking about the Toronto Mayor but it is “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC, 11:35 p.m.) that snares Rob Ford as a guest, and Kimmel is so anxious he shows up at LAX dressed as a chauffeur.
“More Than a Month,” a film about Black History Month, gets what it wants on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings): a replay that’s not in February.
Can’t believe the wedding still isn’t over on “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Richard Hammond drives a new six-wheeled Mercedes Benz G63 in Abu Dhabi on a new “Top Gear” (BBC America, 8:30 p.m.).
Like “12 Years a Slave,” “Rocky” (AMC, 6 p.m.) won best picture without getting many other major awards. It’s followed tonight by “Rocky II” (AMC, 8 p.m.), “Rocky III” (AMC, 11 p.m.), “Rocky IV” (AMC, 1:30 a.m.) and “Rocky V” (AMC, 3:30 a.m.).
It won big a year ago: “Silver Linings Playbook” (TMC, 8 p.m.). Never getting close: “Grumpy Old Men” (Starz, 9 p.m.), “Saw II” (Showtime 2, 9 p.m.). And emblematic of his old career, here’s Matthew McConaughey in “Failure to Launch” (Oxygen, 8 p.m.).
The Academy Award telecast could still be going on but Turner Classic Movies’ 31Days of Oscar ends tonight with the two special effects nominees for 1958, “Tom Thumb” (8 p.m.) and “Torpedo Run” (10 p.m.).
NBA action includes Chicago at Brooklyn (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and New Orleans at Sacramento (NBA, 10 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Buffalo at Dallas (NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Notre Dame at North Carolina (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Xavier at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Savannah State at North Carolina Central (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Kansas State at Oklahoma State (ESPN, 9 p.m.), and North Carolina State at Pittsburgh (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
In women’s games, it’s Connecticut at Louisville (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Maria Menounos, Carson Kressley, Lawrence Zarian, American Authors. The View: Naomi Campbell, Paulina Pinsky, Dr. Mark Hyman, Wendi McClendon-Covey. The Talk: Allison Janney, Kevin Frazier, Aaron Sanchez. Wendy Williams: Mary Alice Stephenson.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Zach Braff, Sg. Brendan Marrocco & Dr. Andrew Lee, Future Islands. Jimmy Fallon: Tina Fey, Randy Newman. Jimmy Kimmel: Rob Ford, Gonzo, Fitz & the Tantrums. Seth Meyers: Brian Williams, Naomi Campbell, the Hold Steady. Craig Ferguson: Meredith Vieira, Josh Radnor. Carson Daly: Kaiser Chiefs, Noah Gundersen. Tavis Smiley: Alicia Keys, Herb Alpert. Jon Stewart: Seth Macfarlane. Stephen Colbert: Caitlin Flanagan. Arsenio Hall: Brandy Norwood, Coby Bell, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Sanchez, Jay Ellis, Lauren London, Mary Mary. Conan O’Brien: Malin Akerman, Jim Jeffries, James Durbin. Chelsea Handler: Cameron Diaz, Chris Franjola, Arden Myrin, Loni Love. Pete Holmes: John Daly.