As funny as her characterizations on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) can be, Cicely Strong is not the one you’d think of to deliver stand-up at one of the most high profile political events of the year. Still, the woman with a one year stint as Weekend Update co-anchor will follow the President in the annual self-congratulating event that blends celebrities with government officials.
Mostly, the White House Correspondents Dinner (CSPAN, 7 p.m.) is a deserved moment in the sun for the indispensable, ad-free C-SPAN (usually a target of some ribbing itself). But CNN and other outlets have lately gotten hip to the event such that they are sending their own reporters (that is to say, reporters who aren’t attending the event with some celebrity). Red carpet footage of the wonks and the glamorous, often wondering why they are there, is its own surreal treat at 6.
Crazy timing for the documentary “Everest Avalanche Tragedy” (Discovery 10 p.m.). The chronicle of the April 2014 tragedy that killed 13 guides and left three missing comes a day after an earthquake-triggered avalanche that devastated the base camp, killing at least eight. It’s part of a weekend of mountain programming that begins with “Valley Uprising” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) about rock climbing in Yosemite over the years.
Richard Linklater’s remarkable Oscar bait “Boyhood” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) makes its premium cable debut. It sure beats HBO’s Saturday night offering, last year’s “Godzilla” (HBO, 8 p.m.).
Who knew there were so many made for TV variations on 1999’s “Lake Placid,” a horror movie about crocodiles in the wrong place? After “Lake Placid 2” (Syfy, 3 p.m.), “Lake Placid 3” (5 p.m.) and the misleadingly-titled “Lake Placid: The Final Chapter” (Syfy, 7 p.m.) comes the new hybrid “Lake Placid vs. Anaconda” (Syfy, 9 p.m.), which ties in a whole other franchise that’s brought us “Anaconda 3” (Syfy, 11 a.m.) and “Anacondas: Trail of Blood” (Syfy, 1 p.m.). You may want to call the whole thing off and watch “Robocroc” (Syfy 11 p.m.).
Jamie returns to Lallybroch and Claire tries to behave on “Outlander” (Starz, 9 p.m.).
The second season start of “When Calls the Heart” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) gets two hours for its various romances and mine accidents.
Helena gets an uncomfortable examination on “Orphan Black” (BBC America, 9 p.m.).
Jessie J is profiled on “The Ride” (VH1, 9 p.m.).
“The Universe: Ancient Mysteries Solved” (History, 9 p.m.) looks into whether there’s a face on the moon. (Short answer: no). “Engineering Disasters” (History, 10 p.m.) examines the sinkhole that sunk the National Corvette Museum
Kyle learns the meaning of Aumea’s tattoo on the second episode of “Tatau” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
The renown 20th screenwriter Frances Marion gets her due on Turner Classic Movies with the documentary “Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women in Hollywood” (9:45 p.m.). It comes alongside some of her best work, from the 1928 silent Lillian Gish vehicle “The Wind” (8 p.m.), to a pair of Wallace Beery flicks from the 1930s for which she won Oscars, “The Big House” (10:45 p.m.) and “The Champ” (12:30 a.m.).
Later comes a couple of horror films tied with returning veterans, “Deathdream” (TCM, 2:15 a.m.) from 1972, and “First to Fight” (TCM, 3:45 a.m.) from 1967.
Stanley Cup playoff games today include Washington at Islanders (NBC, 3 p.m.), Detroit at Tampa Bay (NBC Sports, 6 p.m.), Nashville at Chicago (NBC, 8 p.m.) and Vancouver at Calgary (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.).
NBA playoffs include Atlanta at Brooklyn (TNT, 3 p.m.), Chicago at Milwaukee (TNT, 5:30 p.m.), Golden State at New Orleans (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Memphis at Portland (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Baseball includes Cleveland at Detroit (Fox Sports 1, 1 p.m.), Mets at Yankees (Fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.) and Dodgers at San Diego (MLB, 8:40 p.m.).
Boxing has Jennings vs. Klitschko (HBO, 10 p.m.) in a heavyweight bout.
Primetime NASCAR (Fox, 6 p.m.) covers the Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond.
Jack White plays a replay of “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 11 p.m.).
Chris Hemsworth hosts a replay of last month’s “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) with the Zac Brown Band.