Not much is expected in a scripted drama from E!, a network where even Kathy Griffin thought was beneath her. But their new soap “The Royals” (E!, 10 p.m.), an obvious British co-production, is actually kind of frothy fun. Elizabeth Hurley has the genes and glam to make for a fine queen, who isn’t seen all that much in the series that, like everything else on the network, focuses on the younger characters in a kind of cliched way, a prince who falls for a palace worker, an American as it turns out.
There are obvious jabs at the real British royals, including a couple of ditzy cousins in bad hats. The princess that’s kind of out of control is a creation though, as is the monarch who thinks it’s time to hang up the crown for good. And Joan Collins eventually shows up as the Queen Mother. Surely it makes for more fun watching than another dim season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (E!, 9 p.m.), which one could do just as easily by scanning the tabloid racks.
Here’s a very good idea: There’s so many celebrity cooks on TV, here’s one who decides to make fine food in the hopes of bringing warring sides to the table. Michael Voltaggio, with journalist Mariana van Zeller, organizes these hopeful dinners in the new “Breaking Borders” (Travel, 9 p.m.) , the first of which is a meal in Israel and Palestine.
The great documentary yarn about the swirl of murder suspicions around real estate heir, “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” (HOB, 8 p.m.) comes to a conclusion with a finale likely more satisfying than the one on “Serial” (but one that will lead to just as much new litigation).
“Rebel with a Cause: The Sam Simon Story” (Fusion, 8 p.m.) tells of the co-creator of “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.) who spent the last years of his life well, fighting for animal rights and giving away most of his fortune before he died a week ago.
“Madame Secretary” (CBS, 8 p.m.) has her own Iranian crisis.
“The Good Wife” (CBS, 9 p.m.) goes on the political offensive.
Hannah may be one of the worst subs in New York public school history on “Girls” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
A pre-St. Paddy’s Day replay of the 1959 “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” (TCM, 8 p.m.), starring a young Sean Connery, kicks off a night of Disney fare that includes “The Three Caballeros” (midnight), “The Fighting Prince of Donegal” (3:30 a.m.) and a couple of episodes of “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” (TCM, 9:45 and 11 p.m.) just like Sunday nights half a century ago. Also, there’s a 2008 documentary, “Walt & El Grupo” (TCM, 1:30 a.m.) about Disney’s good will tour to South America during World War II.
A very timely documentary on one of the most notorious figures in college basketball, “I Hate Christian Laettner” makes its debut on “30 for 30” (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
It follows a big day in men’s hoops with the title games of Arkansas vs. Kentucky (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the SEC final, VCU vs. Dayton (CBS, 1 p.m.) in the Atlantic 10 final, Georgia Southern vs. Georgia State (ESPN2, 1 p.m.) in the Sun Belt final, Michigan State vs. Wisconsin (CBS, 3:30 p.m.) in the Big Ten final and Connecticut vs. SMU (ESPN, 3:15 p.m.) in the American tournament final. Then it will all be time for the NCAA tournament selection show (CBS, 6 p.m.) followed by the event for runners-up, the NIT selection show (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m.).
Women’s games include St. Francis at Robert Morris (ESPNU, 1 p.m.) in the Northeast tournament final, Houston Baptist vs. Northwestern State (CBS Sports, 1 p.m.) in the Southland tournament final and Wright State at Green Bay (ESPNU, 3 p.m.) in the Horizon tournament final.
NBA action includes Chicago at Oklahoma City (ABC, 1 p.m.), Houston at Clippers (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) and Cleveland at Orlando (NBA, 6 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Detroit at Pittsburgh (NBC, noon) and Boston at Washington (NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.).
In spring baseball, it’s Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Angels vs. White Sox (MLB, 4 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Sens. Roy Blunt and Jim Webb, Rep. William Lacy Clay, Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef. CBS: Sens. Tom Cotton, Joe Manchin, Rep. Elijah Cummings. Cornell William Brooks and Sherrilyn Ifill of the NAACP. NBC: Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen, Sen. Tim Kaine, Rep. Trey Gowdy, former Rep. Barney Frank. CNN: Sen. Mitch McConnell. Fox News: Reps. Trey Gowdy, Adam Schiff, Sens. John Barrasso, Ben Cardin. Afghan First Lady Rula Ghani.