A bracing slap of reality for your new year optimism may be the striking documentary “Rich Hill” on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
The 2014 Sundance grand jury prize for best documentary chronicles the bleak life of three teenagers growing up in a Missouri small town with an ironic name, since opportunity has long since caught the train out of town. First cousins Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo, whose parents grew up there, find poetry in the struggles and landscape there. Its problems seem to be representative of the tough conditions in many small towns.
Iowa farmer Chris Soules seems to be doing quite well, however, as part of a wealthy farming family in northeast Iowa. He wasn’t chosen by the last Bachelor, but he was chosen as “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) for this season (not before he went through intensive working out with a fellow former contestant, Cody). Now all chiseled and buff he stands at the mansion to welcome 15 women who worry that there’s not enough of them, but complain when another 15 actually show up. They seem to have raided a modeling agency for these candidates — one’s more stunning than the next. But only a couple seem to have much personality so far. And the farmer is initially attracted to a woman who stands around with a “Free Hugs” sign.
The “Bachelor” premiere is a grueling three hours, in part because host Chris Harrison presents it from a live audience — as if it were a finale.
There’s more lengthy reality show hell elsewhere with two back to back episodes of “Celebrity Apprentice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), where the firing of Keyshia Knight Pulliam Sunday means there won’t be any more untimely talk on the show about Bill Cosby.
A number of shows return from their hiatuses, among them “Gotham” (Fox, 8 p.m.), “Sleepy Hollow” (Fox, 9 p.m.),
“Antiques Roadshow” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) returns to New York City for its 19th season staart.
Marijuana legalization in Colorado has been a boon for documentary filmmakers. The latest special, “Marijuana Country: The Cannibis Boom” (CNBC, 9 p.m.) is reported by Harry Smith.
Jean Arthur is star on Turner Clasic Movies with “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (8 p.m.), “The More the Merrier” (10 p.m.), “You Can’t Take It With You” (midnight), “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (2:15 a.m.) and “History is Made at Night” (4:30 p.m.).
“Hollywood Sessions: Director” (Epix, 8 p.m.) looks at some of the nominated directors this season including Richard Linklater, J.C. Chandor, James Marsh, Bennett Miller and Jean-Marc Vallee.
Men’s college hoops include Notre Dame at North Carolina (ESPN, 7 p.m.), West Virginia at Texas Tech (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Oklahoma at Texas (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Texas Southern at Southern (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Pro basketball includes Oklahoma City at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Taraji P. Henson, Chris Soules, Dolvett Quince. The View: Marion Cotillard, Margaret Cho, Tracey Wigfield. Ellen DeGeneres: Taylor Swift (rerun). Wendy Williams: Keyshia Knight Pulliam, Ereka Vetrini. Meredith Vieira: Giada De Laurentiis, Gene Simmons. Queen Latifah: Kelly Osbourne, Michael Pena (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kathy Griffin, David Oyelowo, Lera Lynn. Jimmy Fallon: Bradley Cooper, Harry Connick Jr., Big K.R.I.T. featuring Raphael Saadiq. Jimmy Kimmel: Anne Hathaway, Chris Soules, Heart. Seth Meyers: Anna Kendrick, Timothy Spall, Martha Stewart. Craig Ferguson: Eric Idle, Tessa Thompson, Lachlan Patterson, Drew Carey. Carson Daly: Rivers Cuomo, Weezer, Shawn Christensen (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Anjelica Huston (rerun). Jon Stewart: Steven Brill. Conan O’Brien: Courteney Cox, Donald Faison.