In his latest stand up special, “Mike Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes” (Netflix, streaming), he talks about the limits of humor among his many routines. But the director and star of “Don’t Think Twice” also reminds us, through the title, that in a world where all kinds of terrible things can happen, humor can be a balm. Here’s an interview I did with him last fall when he was on the road doing this show.
Speaking of terrible things, the Presidential Address (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC, Fox News, 9 p.m.) comes in lieu of a State of the Union. Speaking before a joint houses of Congress ought to make the commentators and fact checkers busy afterwards, even if the length of the speech will likely not make records. Someone get an accurate head count, though.
The violent import “Taboo” (FX, 10 pm.) ends its first season with a big showdown between Tom Hardy’s character and a whole army.
What’s left of prime time includes more blind auditions on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Jess recruits Nick to become more popular with students on “New Girl” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Uh-oh, Grodd has brought his army of gorillas on “Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
A racist incident causes protests on “Switched at Birth” (Freeform, 9 p.m.).
Kenny goes to a lonely hearts happy hour on “The Real O’Neals” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
Eddie is accused of stealing on “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
A bad story gets out about Mary Jane on “Being Mary Jane” (BET, 10 p.m.).
“The Mick” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.) stands up for Ben at school.
“Riverdale” (The CW, 9 p.m.) is already a rerun.
Men’s college hoops includes Buffalo at Ohio (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Georgetown at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.), Florida State at Duke (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Indiana at Purdue (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Mississippi State at South Carolina (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), St. John’s at Creighton (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), DePaul at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.), Vanderbilt at Kentucky (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Oklahoma State at Iowa State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Fresno Sate at Boise State (CBS Sports, 10 p.m.).
Pro games include golden State at Washington (NBA, 7 p.m.) and Charlotte at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes Colorado at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.).
Spring baseball includes Baltimore vs. Philadelphia (NLB, 1 p.m.).
Another day of T movies on Turner Classic Movies’ alphabetical 31 Days of Oscar: “Topper Returns” (7:30 a.m.), “Tora! Tora! Tora!” (9:15 a.m.), “Torch Song” (11:45 a.m.), “Torpedo Run” (1:30 p.m.), “Tortilla Flat” (3:30 p.m.), “Trader Horn” (5:30 p.m.), “A Gun in His Hand” (7:40 p.m.), “Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (8 p.m.), “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (10:30 p.m.), “Tristan” (1 a.m.), “Tulsa” (3 a.m.) and “Twelve Angry Men” (4:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Connie Britton, Ray Liotta, Kurt Busch, Jerry O’Connell. The View: Tara Setmayer. The Talk: Cher. Harry Connick: Allison Williams, John Weisbarth, Zach Griffin, Chef John Besh. Ellen DeGeneres: David Spade. Wendy Williams: Larry Birkhead. The Real: Stephen Bishop, Shekinah Jo.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Lisa Kudrow, Josh Earnest, Tony Rock. Jimmy Kimmel: Catherine Zeta-Jones, James Harden, Hank “The Knife” Knutley. Jimmy Fallon: Michael Shannon, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp with Martina McBride. Seth Meyers: Aubrey Plaza, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Lance Black, Rea Aslan, Vinnie Colaiuta. James Corden: Kurt Braunohler, the Appleseed Cast, Desus & Mero. Trevor Noah: Run the Jewels. Conan O’Brien: Martin Short, Natalie Zea, the Pretty Reckless.