Pasadena’s big New Year’s Day parade may be also one of the most covered march all year long. But one of the best ideas is to parody the insipid commentary of the pageantry. So here are Cord Hosenbeck and Tish Cattigan, fictional hosts portrayed by Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon, doing schtick throughout The 2018 Rose Parade (Amazon, streaming, starting at 11 a.m.).
More conventional coverage of the 129th annual event is offered live on no less than fiver other networks at 11 — NBC, ABC, Hallmark Channel, HGTV and Univision.
Tonight, Hugh Bonneville — Lord Granville himself — steps in to host the annual “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2018” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), performed by the Vienna Philharmonic with dancers from the Vienna City Ballet.
It’s followed by a look at the beloved “Tales of the City” author in Jennifer M. Kroot’s documentary “The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin,” making its debut on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10:30 p.m., check local listings).
The squealing limos pull up for a new season starts for “The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and you might need a refresher on the lucky guy. Race car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. was on “The Bachelorette” six years ago.
A third season starts for “Lovesick” (Netflix, streaming) with Johnny Flynn’s character still looking up old flames.
Also starting its second season (after a sneak peek last month) is the agreeable buddy trip “Better Late Than Never” (NBC, 9 and 10 p.m.), in which Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw and George Foreman take on Europe and beyond. On two episodes tonight, they visit Sweden, Lithuania and Russia.
On the new “Ridiculous Cakes” (Food, 10 and 10:30 p.m.), bakers take on ambitious assignments. Not to be confused with “Vegas Cakes” (Food, 11 p.m.).
Garret Dillahunt guest stars on a new episode of “The Gifted” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
It follows the midseason premiere of “Lucifer” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
The prison show that snares volunteers, “60 Days In” (A&E, 9 p.m.) starts a fourth season from Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman host the season premiere of the “Kid Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.).
Casey Webb chows down in Pittsburgh and San Diego on two episodes of “Man v. Food” (Travel, 9 and 9:30 p.m.).
The AKC National Championship Dog Show (Animal Planet, 7 p.m.) fills the network’s bill.
Nora, Gallo and Thea join forces to decode a message on “Valor” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Good time for a couple of new episodes of “Life Below Zero” (National Geographic, 8 and 9 p.m.).
Jax and James become friends on “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
They’re hyping a big race in Bristol on “Street Outlaws” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
An unexpected family death briefly calms down the gang on “Floribama Shore” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
“The Light Between Oceans” (Showtime, 8 p.m.), a romantic film from the 1920s about a couple in a lighthouse who find a baby, makes its premium cable debut. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander star.
We like New Year’s Days babies, but is “Baby Bodybuilders” (Discovery Life, 10 p.m.) really a good idea?
Jack drinks with Vikings on “Booze Traveler” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
The HGTV Dream Home 2018 (HGTV, 8 p.m.) is introduced.
Following its New Year’s Eve Thin Man marathon, Turner Classic Movies starts the year with a group of stylish caper movies, starting with “Charade” (8 p.m.), “Gambit” (10:15 p.m.), “Arabesque” (12:15 a.m.), “$” (2:15 a.m.) and “The Happy Thieves” (4:30 a.m.).
The college bowl games become significant with two playoff semifinals: Oklahoma vs. Georgia (ESPN, 5:10 p.m.) in the Rose Bowl and Clemson vs. Alabama (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in the Sugar Bowl.
Plus: Michigan vs. South Carolina (ESPN2, noon) in the Outback Bowl, UCF vs. Auburn (ESPN, 12:40 p.m.) in the Peach Bowl and Notre Dame vs. LSU (ABC, 2 p.m.) in the Citrus Bowl.
Men’s college basketball has West Virginia at Kansas State (ESPNU, 5 p.m.), Texas at Iowa State (ESPNU, 7 p.m.) and Southern at Texas Southern (ESPNU, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Maya Rudolph, Dove Cameron. Harry Connick: Debra Messing, lauren Makk (rerun). Steve Harvey: Kim Fields, Tatyana Ali, Miss USA Kara McCullough, Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Kris Jenner (rerun). Wendy Williams: Bellamy Young (rerun). The Real: Kim Zoiciak, Kroy Biermann, Keyshia Ka’oir.
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Carol Burnett, Lewis Black. Jimmy Kimmel: Will Smith, Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D. Jimmy Fallon: Jeff Bridges, Aubrey Plaza, Bilal. Seth Meyers: Carey Mulligan, Beanie Feldstein, Danny Bowlen. James Corden: Anna WIntour, Zac Posen, Everything Everything. Carson Daly: Billy Ray Cyrus, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas, Jack Whitehall. Conan O’Brien: Adam Sandler, Evan Peters, Jimmy Dunn.