The first big television event I recall from my childhood was the inauguration of President Kennedy in 1961. It was so boring, I thought at the time, the commercials would have been more interesting. Too bad they didn’t have Twitter in kindergarten.
Things are a little more interesting more than a century later in today’s events, which play out on the networks from the early coffee to the swearing in to the parades and balls. Rote coverage will likely ignore most of the large protests happening all around it. For those who skip the daylong coverage, there are prime time recaps, “Change and Challenge: The Inauguration of Donald Trump” (CBS, 8 p.m.) and “20/20: The Inauguration of Donald J. Trump” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Alicia Keys gets into her “Empire State of Mind” as she boards a Circle Line cruise and visits Harlem’s Apollo Theater to perform her hits and reflect on the city with Chad Smith, who also happens to be drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the concert “Alicia Keys – Landmarks Live in Concert: A Great Performances Special” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
The 15th season of “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) arrives on an auspicious day; guests include Jane Fonda, Keith Olbermann, Heather C. McGhee, Jon Meacham and Thomas Perez.
Jason Mamoa, the former Drogo on “Game of Thrones,” returns in the new series “Frontier” (Netflix, online) as a murderous fur trader in the 18th century North American wilderness fighting Hudson’s Bay Company.
Also new online today: A second season of “Voltron Legendary Defender” (Netflix, streaming).
An ill wind hits West Covina in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Is this necessary? “Puppy Bowl: Where Are They Now?” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.). Full grown dogs, I imagine.
Lou Diamond Phillips guest stars on “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.) as a U.S. marshall.
“Dr. Ken” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) documents his day.
The Miss Mystic Falls pageant is held on “Vampire Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
“Rosewood” (Fox, 8 p.m.) looks into he death of an escape artist.
Mike asks the newlyweds to tone it down on “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Diplomatic immunity complicates a child abuse case on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
On “Sleepy Hollow” (Fox, 9 p.m.), Crane is still hanging around Washington.
“Emerald City” (NBC, 9 p.m.) continues to spin out of control.
Eve and Rosalee ready a spell on “Grimm” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
For some reason there’s a marathon of the Saint movies on Turner Classic Movie, with “The Saint in New York” (8 p.m.), “The Saint Strikes Back” (9:30 p.m.), “The Saint in London” (10:45 p.m.), “The Saint’s Double Trouble” (12:15 a.m.), “The Saint in Palm Springs” (1:30 p.m.), “The Saint’s Vacation” (2:45 a.m.) and “The Saint Meets the Tiger” (4 a.m.).
NBA action includes Golden State at Houston (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Indiana at Lakers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.), and also some games from the D-League: Delaware vs. Greensboro (ESPNU, 3 p.m.), Austin vs. Northern Arizona (ESPNU, 6 p.m.) and Long Island vs. Raptors 905 (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Chicago at Boston (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Just one men’s college basketball game: Eastern Michigan at Akron (CBS Sports, 6:30 p.m.). Women’s games have Providence at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 2, 7 p.m.) and Georgetown at Xavier (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Third round play continues in the Australian Open (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
Good night for some women’s figure skating with the U.S. Championships (NBC Sports, 6 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Chris O’Donnell, Bernadette Peters, Joe Jonas. Harry Connick: Jeremy Renner, Chloe Hilliard, Cindy & Amanda Serrano. Ellen DeGeneres: Annette Bening, Ken Jong, Old Dominion. Wendy Williams: Jessie Mueller & Drew Gelling. The Real: Danny Trejo, Frenchie Davis.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jim Gaffigan, Cristela Alonzo, the Avett Brothers. Jimmy Kimmel: Anthony Anderson, Ruby Rose, Travis Scott. Jimmy Fallon: James Spader, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Kevin Delany. Seth Meyers: Ken Jeong, Kellyanne Conway, Mike Schur (rerun). James Corden: John Lithgow, Kyra Sedgwick, Ryan Phillippe (rerun). Carson Daly: Nicole Byer, Guided by Voices, Elizabeth Wood (rerun). Trevor Noah: Joy-Ann Reid.