Sometimes the sticklers for history can ruin a good film, but since the three night miniseries “Sons of Liberty” (History, 9 p.m.) is on the History channel, one might expect a little more care taken with the details. But no. On the heels of their “Hatfields & McCoys” and “Vikings” success, the network is bent on action movies that are set in a historical times, but whose scholarship is hazy at best.
So here’s a revolutionary war tale in which Sam Adams is not a 50 year old bueaurocrat, but a hunky young man, who is a troublemaker to the dunderheaded occupying British forces and the central issue – which may get some traction from tri-cornered hat contemporaries — is all the taxes. So there are brawls and fisticuffs, falling short so far of uprisings. It’s got the names of the founders here and there — his cousin John Adams, Paul Revere, even money faces from Washington to Franklin (stunt cast with Dean Norris as a womanizing Ben Franklin). More stunt casting? Henry Thomas (“E.T.” kid) as John Adams. It’s low grade entertaining as far as it goes, along the lines of other recent period series “Iron Horse” or “Turn.” But it ain’t history.
Debbie Reynolds get the lifetime achievement awards and ensembles in TV and movie casts get their only chance for a group recognition on the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TBS, TNT, 8 p.m.), live from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. It’s a big enough event to require a Live from the Red Carpet (E!, 6 p.m.).
Because Donald Trump is still behind the Miss Universe Pageant (NBC, 8 p.m.) that’s always a good reason to mistrust it. But the pageant goes on, from somewhere called Doral, Fla., the home of Florida International University, with performances from Nick Jonas, Gavin DeGraw and Prince Royce. Natalie Morales and Thomas Roberts host.
Mary changes course on “Downtown Abbey” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) and Edith is still moping around.
The musical comedy “Galavant” (ABC, 8 and 8:30 p.m.) winds up after a couple of episodes.
Elon Musk lends his voice to a new episode of “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.)
With Hannah still in Iowa, things aren’t going that great for the gang back in New York on “Girls” (HBO, 9 p.m.), except that Marie is about to nail a record deal.
Patrick and Kevin plan a sleepover on “Looking” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
An engagement party results in murder on the latest “Grantchester” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
The documentary “Sag Harbor” (OWN, 10 p.m.) looks at the African-American community out on Long Island.
Debbie throws a wild party on “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
Marty and Jeannie propose opposing strategies on “House of Lies” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
Matt’s drinking on the set on “Episodes” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.).
Why are “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “Funny Girl” (TCM, 10:15 p.m.) paired together? Because they’re both rags to riches stories.
Men’s college hoops includes South Florida at Connecticut (CBS Sports, noon), Indiana at Ohio State (CBS, 1:30 p.m.), Duke at St. John’s (Fox, 2 p.m.), Cincinnati at Central Florida (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Louisville at Pittsburgh (CBS, 3:45 p.m.), Northern Iowa at Illinois State (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Notre Dame at North Carolina State (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.), Creighton at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.) and Washington at Utah (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m.).
Women’s games include Arkansas at Florida (ESPNU, noon), Central Florida at SMU (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Butler at Xavier (Fox Sports 1, 2:30 p.m.), Connecticut at Cincinnati (ESPN2, 3 p.m.), Tulane at South Florida (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.) and Duke at North Carolina (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
The round of 16 plays in the Australian Open (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
It’s the men’s finals at the U.S. figure skating championship (NBC, 4 p.m.).
NBA action includes Miami at Chicago (ABC, 1 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Cleveland (ABC, 3:30 p.m.).
The NHL All-Star Game (NBC Sports, 5 p.m.) still can’t get on broadcast TV.
And the one football game to tide you over to next weekend is the Pro Bowl (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Gov. Bobby Jindal. CBS: McDonough, Sens. John McCain and Dianne Feinstein. NBC: McDonough, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. CNN: McDonough, Rick Santorum, Reps. Adam Kinzinger, Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego, former Gov. Jon Huntsman. Fox News: McDonough, Gov. John Kasich.