Michael Sam, who gained headlines as the first gay player drafted to the NFL, finally sits down with Oprah Winfrey in hbis first interview since he was cut by the Dallas Cowboys. On a wide ranging interview on “Oprah Prime: Michael Sam” (OWN, 10:30 p.m.), he talks about being bullied as a kid growing up in rural Texas, with brothers who broke his sports trophies. He also says there are a number of players in the NFL who are gay and reached out to him after he became the seventh round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams. Winfrey’s channel originally planned for a series that followed his experience in rookie camp, but it was canceled to give him a chance to work without distraction.
On a bleak night of television, Wes Anderson’s hugely enjoyable “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (HBO, 8 p.m.) makes its premium cable debut, a terrific winter night delight with Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe, Jude Law, Owen Wilson, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and, for a moment, Bill Murray.
With Christmas gone, the made for TV movies go back to business minus jingle bells. Jennifer Beals stars in “A Wife’s Nightmare” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) about a stranger claiming to be her husband’s long-lost daughter. Still, others can’t get off the eggnog kick: “A Very Merry Mix-Up” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), “Bride for Christmas” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.).
You’d think networks would have access to the best movies, but instead, they’re showing “Norbit” (ABC, 8 p.m.), the 2007 Eddie Murphy comedy. Elsewhere it’s all reruns, including the “WWE Tribute to the Troops” (NBC, 8 p.m.), which showed earlier in the season.
There is a holiday themed episode of “Sex Sent Me to the ER” (TLC, 11 p.m.). Also, a “My Cat from Hell Holiday Special” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.).
Movies about desert islands are on Turner Classic Movies with “The Black Stallion” (8 p.m.), “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” (10:15 p.m.), “Lord of the Flies” (midnight) and “An American Hippie in Israel” (2 a.m.). Later, it’s and “The Big Cube” (TCM, 3:45 a.m.), an LSD movie with Lana Turner and George Chakiris.
Other movies tonight include “Platoon” (Cinemax, 8 p.m.), “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) and “Bridesmaids” (Oxygen, 8 p.m.).
Ben Stiller, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Ricky Gervais are on a new episode of “The Graham Norton Show” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
The college football bowl games begin to pile up with Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the Military Bowl, Arizona State vs. Duke (CBS, 2 p.m.) in the Sun Bowl, Miami vs. South Carolina (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) in the Independence Bowl, Boston College vs. Penn State (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.) in the Pinstripe Bowl and Nebraska vs. Southern California (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in the Holiday Bowl.
College hoops include Indiana vs. Georgetown (ESPN2, noon), Maine at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, noon), Kentucky at Louisville (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Alabama Birmingham at North Carolina (ESPn2, 4 p.m.) and Gonzaga at BYU (ESPN2, 6 p.m.).
In pro basketball, it’s Memphis at Miami (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and New York at Sacramento (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Hockey tonight includes Washington at Pittsburgh (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and San Jose at Los Angeles (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Radiohead performs on a replay of “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) reverts to reruns for three weeks. Tonight’s is the one from two weeks ago with Martin Freeman and Charli XCX. The 10 p.m. replay is the Jimmy Fallon hosted show with Justin Timberlake from a year ago.