I’ve been in a minority by being underwhelmed by “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.) all these years. The slow moving costume drama of spies in our midst during the Reagan years was undermined by memories of Boris and Natasha. By now, the daughter is wise to her parents jobs and things move just as slowly in the fourth season premiere that literally ends by digging itself in a hole for 10 minutes.
What’s worse though, is that current events have far bypassed the piddly intrigue here and the show’s makers seem more peeved than inspired. “To see things have spiraled so out of control, frankly, just doesn’t feel so good,” co-creator Joe Weinberg told writers at the TV Critics Association winter press tour.
With only one season left in the show after this one, they’ll never reach the era of actual drama in our midst (unless: time jump!).
Her latest stand-up comedy special, taped in Denver, “Amy Schumer: The Leather Special” (Netflix, streaming).
One thing we need less of on TV is infotainment. But here is “People Icons” (ABC, 10 p.m.) which profiles celebrities, starting with couples.
Before it just died, “The Apprentice” had its start like this: someone looking for an employee. In “The Partner” (CNBC, 10 p.m.), it’s Marcus Lemons, star of the network’s “The Profit.” It will take him five episodes to hire someone.
Viral school counselor Veronica “Pooh” Nash-Poleate dishes advice on the new “She’s in Charge” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
On “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.), the family gathers for a party.
Jessica goes a little wild on a couples’ game night on “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Lexie declares love for Axl on “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
McGee’s apartment is robbed on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Wally has visions of Savitar on “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
On “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.), blind auditions crawl on.
“Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” (Travel, 9 p.m.) motors up the Pacific Coast Highway.
“60 Minutes Sports” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) profiles boxer Danny Jacobs.
Uma Thurman pops up on “Imposters” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Sam tries to think of a good speech for his dad’s 60th birthday on “Detroiter’s” (Comedy, 10:30 p.m.).
A JAG lawyer disappears on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Katy stops her micromanaging on “American Housewife” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
A governor is killed skydiving on “Bull” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Whitney gets serious about her dance battle on “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Daphne volunteers at a clinic on “Switched at Birth” (Freeform, 9 p.m.).
Tara’s “Dancing with the Stars” run is recounted on “Little Women: LA” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
A tornado touches down on “Teachers” (TVLand, 10 p.m.).
A storm also bears down on the island on “Stranded with A Million Dollars” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
Robin tries to get a divorce from Carlos on “The Detour” (TBS, 10 p.m.).
“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (The CW, 9 p.m.) crashes seventy million years in the past.
Competitors on “Face Off” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) have to create malevolent marionette characters.
Mary Jane goes rogue to chase a story on “Being Mary Jane” (BET, 10 p.m.).
A Muslim graduate student is murdered on “Chicago Justice” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
“Chopped” (Food, 10 p.m.) considers dumplings.
“Guy Fieri’s Spain Adventure” (Travel, 10 p.m.) goes to Barcelona.
This week’s showcase of Richard Burton on Turner Classic Movies continues with “The Night of the Iguana” (8 p.m.), “Anne of the Thousand Days” (10:15 p.m.), “Look Back in Anger” (1 a.m.), “Bitter Victory” (3 a.m.) and “Alexander the Great” (5 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Clemson vs. North Carolina State (ESPN2, noon), Wake Forest vs. Boston College (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Northern Kentucky vs. Milwaukee (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Saint Francis vs. Mount St. Mary’s (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and South Dakota State vs University of Nebraska – Omaha (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
Women’s games include Green Bay vs. Detroit-Mercy (ESPNU, noon), Western Illinois vs. IUPUI (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) and DePaul vs. Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
Pro games include Portland at Oklahoma City (NBA, 8 p.m.).
Hockey has Philadelphia at Buffalo (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
In spring baseball, it’s Canada vs. Toronto (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Mexico vs. San Diego (MLB, 4 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Tom Hiddleston, Michelle Dockery, Christian Slater. The View: Ariel Winter, Sherri Shepherd. The Talk: Patrick Stewart, Cameron Mathieson. Harry Connick: Whoopi Goldberg, Jessie Graff, John Cena, the Bella Twins, Savannah Guthrie. Ellen DeGeneres: Drew Barrymore (rerun). Wendy Williams: Safari, Melissa Garcia. The Real: John Singleton.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Kevin Kline, Jerrod Carmichael, Gen. Michael Hayden. Jimmy Kimmel: Doug Benson, LeAnn Rimes. Jimmy Fallon: Neil Patrick Harris, Ken Jeong, Josh Johnson (rerun). Seth Meyers: Anderson Cooper, Reba McEntire, Gail Miller Bisher (rerun). James Corden: Alec Baldwin, Kerry Washington, Jose Gonzalez. Carson Daly: Bella Heathcote, Riptides, Raoul Peck (rerun). Trevor Noah: Judd Apatow. Conan O’Brien: Malin Ackerman, Pete Holmes, Hippo Campus.