If ever there was a year to skip The Academy Awards (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) it might be this year’s. Already there has been an organized boycott for its lack of diversity. You know about the boredom and disappointments and commercials already. Still, it will be irresistible to many to take it in and witness Chris Rock in the uncomfortable position of hosting.
A tempting alternative is the hastily-organized “All Def Movie Awards” (Fusion, 9 p.m.) with Rock’s brother Tony Rock as host. Russell Simmons produced the event, which was taped Wednesday but now runs against the main event (and on an ABC-owned network yet). Among its categories: “Best Helpful White Person.”
Like the Super Bowl, this stretches into a whole day of programming beginning with four hours of the “E! Countdown to the Red Carpet” (E!, 1:30 p.m.) leading up to the three hour fashion inquisition of “E! Live from the Red Carpet” (E!, 5:30 p.m.), which always begins with the hosts telling us what they are wearing (hint: we don’t care).
As bad as that all can be, you’ll be amazed how the approved network “Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live from the Red Carpet” (ABC, 7 p.m.) is often worse. And a news network stumbles its way into the coverage, too, with Don Lemon heading “Hollywood’s Biggest Night” (CNN, 6 p.m.).
Don’t think you can go to bed after the Oscars either, when there is a two hour “E! After Party” (E!, 11:45 p.m.) and a “Jimmy Kimmel Live! After the Oscars” (ABC, approximately midnight) boasting Ben Affleck, Tracy Morgan, Mike Tyson and Nathan Lane among others.
How do other broadcast networks counter-program the Oscars? With the kind of movies that would never be nominated: Michael Douglas and Robert De Niro in “Last Vegas” (CBS, 9 p.m.) and Seth MacFarlane’s “ Ted” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) — stretched to two and a half hours!
Some series are skipping new episodes tonight, such as “Downton Abbey,” in anticipation of next week’s series finale. However there is a special, “More Manners of Downton Abbey” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
And “Billions” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) opts for a mini-marathon of its last three episodes.
Some series can’t be stopped, though, and on a new “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) Rick weighs options of places to go after Alexandria.
The author and religious scholar redefines himself as a talk show host on the new chat show “Rough Draft with Reza Aslan” (Ovation, 8:30 p.m.) in which he vows to talk to writers of all stripes from a studio in Silver Lake filled with hipsters sipping cocktails. There’s not enough time on the first episode to get deep into Norman Lear’s career, and Ingrid Michelson sings, but only talks from backstage when everything is inexplicably black and white.
There’s a nifty segment featuring a faux Alice Cooper on tonight’s “Vinyl” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
Hannah’s dad needs some advice quick on “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.) and Adam begins hanging around Jessa way too much.
Tina sort of ruin’s Alex’s coming-home party on “Togetherness” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.).
Campaigns reach a fever pitch with the kind of language only suited to premium cable. Hence, “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth” (Showtime, 8 p.m.).
Absurdity had reached levels where a half hour of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO, 11 p.m.) may not be able to contain it.
Townsfolk aren’t kindly when they find Frank’s a fugitive on “When Calls the Heart” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.).
Movies continue on Turner Classic Movies’ 31 Days of Oscar, even on Oscar Night, with “Blue Skies” (8 p.m.), “Swing Time” (10 p.m.), “Gold Diggers of 1937” (midnight), “The Public Enemy” (2 a.m.), “Libeled Lady” (2:30 a.m.) and “One Way Passage” (5:30 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Xavier at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 12:30 p.m.), Houston at Connecticut (CBS Sports, 1 p.m.), Duke at Pittsburgh (CBS, 2 p.m.), St. John’s at Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 2:30 p.m.), Tulane at SMU (CBS Sports, 3 p.m.), Iowa at Ohio State (CBS, 4 p.m.), Tulsa at Memphis (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Virginia Tech at Wake Forest (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.), Southern California at California (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.) and Washington at Oregon (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m.).
Women’s games include Georgia at Tennessee (ESPN2, 1 p.m.), LSU at South Carolina (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Miami at Florida State (ESPN2, 3 p.m.), Kentucky at Texas A&M (ESPN, 4 p.m.) and Minnesota at Maryland (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
Pro basketball has Minnesota at Dallas (NBA, 7 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Washington at Chicago (NBC, 12:30 p.m.), Tampa Bay at Boston (NBC Sports, 6:30 p.m.) and Los Angeles at Anaheim (NBC Sports, 9 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders, Chris Christie. CBS: Cruz, Sanders, Donald Trump. NBC: Cruz, Trump, Sanders, John Kasich. CNN: Cruz, Christie, Kasich, Rep. Marsha Blackburn. Fox News: Cruz, Trump.