The most significant thing on TV tonight is President Obama’s Farewell Address (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox MSNBC, CSPAN, 9 p.m.). The event from Chicago, expected to be the final speech from the 44th president, is what he has called “a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways you’ve changed this country of the better these past eight years and to offer some thoughts where we all go from here.”
One hint is provided by NBC, which sandwiches coverage of the speech with “The Wall” (NBC, 8 and 9:40 p.m.).
As a new administration talks of bulking up nuclear weapons, here’s something else on significant tonight, about something that happened 36 years ago, when a dropped socket wrench caused a puncture and a possible nuclear disaster in Arkansas. Grippingly produced, the film “Command and Control” on “American Experience” (PBS, 9:30 p.m.) that has been shortlisted for Best Documentary Oscar.
In the new “Taboo” (FX, 10 p.m.), Tom Hardy of “The Revenant” portrays a mystical 19th century figure who inherits his father’s British shipping empire and a piece of land on Vancouver Island that is heavily contested in the War of 1812. Jonathan Pryce, Franka Potente and Oona Chaplin also star in the BBC production that Hardy also co-created.
“This is Us” (NBC, 10 p.m.) returns after its winter break with everyone reacting to Toby’s heart attack.
Also back with a new episode is “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The family gets a month of maid service on “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Mickey throws a big birthday party for Ben on “The Mick” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Michelle Dockery’s change of pace “Good Behavior” (TNT, 9 p.m.) ends its first season, as does the documentary series “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftrmath” (A&E, 10 p.m.) and the latest stab at “Kate Plus 8” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
The fourth season of “Being Mary Jane” (BET, 9 p.m.) has Gabrielle Union’s Mary Jane moving to New York to become a national morning news show correspondent.
A snowstorm snows in the family on “American Housewife” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.). Leslie Bibb guest stars.
The return of “Bones” (Fox, 9:25 p.m.) for its final season last week was greeted with lower ratings. Tonight, a man may have been killed by an artificial intelligence robot. And Ryan O’Neal pops up as
After agreeing to pay Robby’s medical bills on “New Girl” (Fox, 8 p.m.), Jess is shocked by the bottom line.
“Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations” (Travel, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) goes to Bali and Copenhagen.
The Tuesday night “Stars Behind Bars” jailhouse series on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Papillion” (8 p.m.), “Escape from Alcatraz” (10:45 p.m.), “White Heat” (1 a.m.), “I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang” (3 a.m.) and “Convicts 4” (4:45 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Kentucky at Vanderbilt (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Baylor at West Virginia (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Syracuse at Virginia Tech (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Xavier at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Indiana at Maryland (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Kansas at Oklahoma (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Florida at Alabama (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Providence at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Kansas State at Texas Tech (ESPNews, 9:15 p.m.) and San Jose State at San Diego State (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Women’s games include South Florida at Connecticut (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.).
Pro games include Boston at Toronto (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Miami at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Boston at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Kevin Bacon, Queen Latifah, Jerry O’Connell. The View: Gabrielle Union. The Talk: Zoe Saldana, Kit Hoover. Harry Connick: Jude Demorest, Chris Hardwick, Linda Miller Nicholson. Ellen DeGeneres: Ben Affleck, Ruby Rose. Wendy Williams: Nancy Grace, Shae Wilbur. The Real: Kristos Andrews, Erik Fellows, Derrell Whit, Mel B.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Andrew Garfield, Erin Andrews, Cage the Elephant. Jimmy Kimmel: Amy Adams, Naomie Harris, Blink 182. Jimmy Fallon: Queen Latifah, Fred Armisen, the Flaming Lips. Seth Meyers: Ken Jeong, Kellyanne Conway, Mike Schur. James Corden: Mark Wahlberg, Jeremy Renner, Joel Egerton, Gabriel Iglesias. Carson Daly: Emmanuelle Chiqui, Wolf Parade, Tony Cox (rerun). Trevor Noah: Aasif Mandvi. Conan O’Brien: Anna Faris, Jamie Lee, Lewis Del Mar.