Just as we were reaching superhero saturation on the big and small screens, here comes a highlight. worth rallying around. “Black Lightning” (The CW, 9 p.m.) is an adaptation of a DC comic that first appeared in 1977 and has appeared sporadically since then.
In the series Cress Williams is the former hero who is now doing his heroics as a high school principal, forced back into action by a gang infringing on his town and his family. It’s got a fresher feel than the other caped dramas, with a nod back to the best of Blaxploitation and a tasty soundtrack to match.
The fifth superhero saga on the channel, it’s paired with a new episode of “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.), on which Barry is on trial for murder.
On the new “This Time Next Year” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) Cat Deeley meets a variety of people who vow to change something about themselves in 365 days and, in the same show, come out a second door to show how the results for instant (or at least more timely) reveals. “It’s a bit like “Back to the Future” but without the flux capacitor,” Deeley told reporters at the TV Critics Association winter press tour Sunday. [My reporting on the event can be found here].
Shot in Jacksonville, the latest online comedy special, “Katt Williams: Great America” (Netflix, streaming) has a backdrop that makes it look like the Oval Office. In addition to political comedy, Williams addresses aging, technology and specifically, self-driving cars.
“True Conviction” (Investigation Discovery, 11 p.m.), a new series staring Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi, a longtime prosecutor in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, looking at old cases, moves to its usual time slot, with a look back at a home invasion in Davie, Fla., that turned into a mass killing.
Tyler Perry dashes off another series. “The Paynes” (OWN, 10 p.m.) is a spinoff of the “House of Payne” concentrating on the retirement of the characters Curtis and Ella Payne.
Kate shops for a wedding dress on “This is Us” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
After decades of confusion and jokes, Dylan McDermott and Dermot Mulroney finally get to work together for the first time as rival pilots on “LA to Vegas” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
The focus on “American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m.) is Wall Street tycoon Alfred Lee Loomis, who also helped develop a radar technology that would change the course of World War II.
The Top 15 go walking Venice Beach on “America’s Next Top Model” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
On “Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 8 p.m.), an escaped patient is murdered.
Whitney encounters her ex on “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Rick and Gary make a big find on “The Curse of Oak Island” (History, 8 p.m.).
It’s wedding night on “Married at First Sight” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
On “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Mike orders Sue and Brick to fix the hole between their bedroom walls.
On “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), Jessica’s career as an author takes off.
“Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations” (travel, 9 p.m.) goes to the Hamptons, and at 9:30 p.m., London.
“The Mick” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.) travels to the family’s Manhattan penthouse.
Kevin helps an apparent do-gooder, “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Raw 25: Celebrating 25 Years of Raw” (USA, 10 p.m.) marks a quarter century on the cable channel with clips from the past.
“Teachers” (TVLand, 10 p.m.) flashes back 70 years.
“Undercover High” (A&E, 10 p.m.) sneaks into Winter Royalty.
Dr. Charles makes a controversial choice about a newborn on “Chicago Med” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
Weight loss is the goal of Jazz on “I Am Jazz” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
The team on “Hunting Hitler” (History, 10 p.m.) try to figure out if Nazis were on the verge of making a
Dorit releases a swimwear line on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Contestants on “Chopped” (Food, 10 p.m.) have to cook even faster.
Bow finds an online support group on “Blackish” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Among the competitions on “Ellen’s Game of Games” (NBC, 8 p.m.) are One-Eyed Monster and You Bet Your Wife.
Turner Classic Movies turns to the Gilded Age with the movies “The Age of Innocence” (8 p.m.), “The Heiress” (10:30 p.m.), “The Magnificent Ambersons” (12:45 a.m.) and “An American Romance” (2:30 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Wisconsin at Purdue (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Cincinnati at Central Florida (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Louisville at Notre Dame (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Georgia at Louisiana State (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Oklahoma at Kansas State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Kentucky at South Carolina (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Connecticut at Memphis (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.).
Pro games include New Orleans at Boston (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Phoenix at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Hockey has Philadelphia at Rangers (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.).
Tennis has second round play in the Australian Open (Tennis, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Ricky Martin, Matt Czuchry. The View: Rob Riggle. The Talk: Rebecca Romijn, Nancy O’Dell. Harry Connick: Matt Wright, Jamie Lee. Steve Harvey: Mike Epps, Jackee Harry. Ellen DeGeneres: Penelope Cruz, Freddie Highmore, LANco. Wendy Williams: Donny Deutsch. The Real: Angela Robinson.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jon Bon Jovi, Daniel Kaluuya, Ben Sinclair. Jimmy Kimmel: Kristen Bell, Will Poulter, Lo Moon. Jimmy Fallon: Chris Hemsworth, Carrie Brownstein, Caitlyn Smith. Seth Meyers: Leslie Jones, Tracy Letts, Esther Povitsky, John Stanier. James Corden: Annette Bening, Rachel Brosnahan, Royal Blood. Carson Daly: William Patrick Corgan, Joey Purp, Lucy Fry, Son Little (rerun). Trevor Noah: Ricky Martin. Jordan Klepper: Jessica Valenti. Conan O’Brien: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Rebecca Romijn, Dashboard Confessional.