From one of the guys who brought you the original “Project Greenlight” comes another inside look at the filmmaking process for newcomers. “The Chair” (Starz, 11 p.m.) has a little twist though: They assign two different directors the same script and same location — Pittsburgh, where there are tax breaks and investors — and see what they come up with. Viewers will eventually decide which of their movies is best, and they’ll get a $250,000 prize.
But the main thing is that both first-time feature makers will get a project done, although it will have both a minuscule $600,000 budget and reality TV cameras on them every second. The initial episode tonight seems overwhelmed by producers which include Chris Moore, familiar from “Greenlight” as well as the actor Zachary Quinto, who is good in the role. But the competitors seem chosen for their contrasting extremes. One, Shane Dawson, is a YouTube jokester with an adolescent sense of humor; the other, Anna Martemucci, a more serious screenwriter who often seems paralyzed by her task. Both practically rewrite the script by Don Schoffer, on their way to making what looks to be like very different films. It will be interesting to see the finished product — and their process in getting there.
It’s not enough now for Lifetime to make movies based on real stories, they increasingly have to be about celebrities too. So here’s Amanda Fuller starring in “The Brittany Murphy Story” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), about the young actress from “Clueless” and “8 Mile” (who was also the voice of Luanne on “King of the Hill”) who was found dead in 2009 at the age of 32. Sherilyn Fenn plays her mother. The film and especially the documentary that follows, “Behind the Headlines” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), will look into the mysteries of that death.
Even younger stars emerge in “Sophia Grace and Rosie’s Royal Adventure” (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.) a movie featuring the British tykes in tiaras who emerged on YouTube and repeat visits to Ellen DeGeneres’ show who now star in a story about covering a royal coronation. With one singing all the parts, and the other just doing the dance moves, they are the Penn & Teller of the elementary school pop fans crowd.
For a second Saturday, college football dominates prime time with Michigan State at Oregon (Fox, 6:30 p.m.) and Michigan at Notre Dame (NBC, 7:30 p.m.) and on cable, Virginia Tech at Ohio State (ESPN, 8 p.m.). There’s even more sports on broadcast tv with NASCAR (ABC, 7:30 p.m.) from Richmond.
The Oscar winning best film of the year “12 Years a Slave” (HBO, 8 and 11:15 p.m.) finally makes its premium cable debut. Less exciting: the premiere of “Grudge Match” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.) with Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro.
A few seconds of tonight’s Robin Hood-themed episode of “Doctor Who” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) were snipped earlier this week to remove a beheading scene, in deference to recent news of actual American beheadings in the Middle East.
A trio of singer bio pics are on Turner Classic Movies tonight covering the lives of Loretta Lynn on “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (8 p.m.), Woody Guthrie in “Bound for Glory” (10:15 p.m.) and Hank Williams in “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (1 a.m.).
Then the late night cult movies return for the first time in a month with a double feature of “House of Women” (TCM, 2:45 a.m.) and “Caged” (4:15 a.m.).
Shooting “Cops” (Spike, 8 p.m.) is now a deadly undertaking. A sound man was killed in Omaha recently. 4
Soon there will be some good television to watch. “Homeland: Debrief” (Showtime, 8:46 p.m.) summarizes the fist three seasons in anticipation for the fourth, which will start Oct. 5.
Madison tries to get to Seattle on “Intruders” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
Wondering how “Outlander” (Starz, 9 p.m.) will affect the Scottish vote on independence.
Ethan heals from his bear attack in a Comanche village on “Hell on Wheels” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
But mostly, it’s about college football all day, with the following games kicking off at noon: Alabama vs. Florida Atlantic (SEC), Tennessee vs. Arkansas State (SEC), Tulsa vs. Oklahoma (ESPN2), Penn State vs. Akron (ABC), Nebraska vs. McNeese State (ESPNU), Iowa State vs. Kansas State (Fox Sports 1), Toledo vs. Missouri (ESPN, noon), Army vs. Buffalo (CBS Sports), Purdue vs. Central Michigan (ESPNews).
Then at 3:30 p.m., it’s Stanford vs. Southern Cal (ABC), Kentucky vs. Ohio (ESPNU), South Florida vs Maryland (CBS Sports), Iowa vs. Ball State (ESPN2). At 4 p.m., Tulane vs. Georgia Tech (ESPNews), Florida vs. Eastern Michigan (SEC) Arkansas vs. Nicholls State (SEC) and Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi (ESPN).
Other night games include Auburn vs. San Jose State (ESPN, 7 p.m.), New Mexico vs. Arizona State (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), South Carolina vs. East Carolina (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Texas A&M vs. Lamar (SEC, 7:30 p.m.), LSU vs. Sam Houston State (SEC, 7:30 p.m.), Texas vs. BYU (Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m.), North Carolina vs. San Diego State (ESPNews, 8 p.m.), Wyoming vs. Air Force (ESPNU, 10:15 p.m.), Boise State vs. Colorado State (ESPN2, 10:15 p.m.), Hawaii vs. Oregon State (CBS Sports, 10:30 p.m.), UTEP vs. Texas Tech (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell play a replay of “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The Louis C.K. -hosted “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) with Sam Smith is repeated.