The one percent were doing pretty well 120 years ago in the United States as well. According to the sobering look back “The Gilded Age” on “American Experience” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), the richest 4,000 families had nearly as much wealth as the country’s other 11.6 million families combined.
The divide between rich and poor in the age of the Vanderbilt, Morgan and Carnegies will raise some questions about where things are going now. “For me, what’s so obvious is that we haven’t solved the issues that arose so clearly during the Gilded Age and they’re with us today, which is who is the government for? Is government for the people, or is government for the corporations?” Nell Irvin Painter, one of the historians in the film told reporters at the TV Critics Association winter press tour. If change is going to come, she says, it’s going to have to come from people on the bottom, she says.
The “Portlandia” star devises a special particularly suited to one group of musicians, who fill the audience: “Fred Armisen: Standup for Drummers” (Netflix, streaming).
The two are made for television: Bethenny Frankel has been in a handful of shows, and Fredrik Eklund is from “Million Dollar Home Los Angeles.” On the new “Bethenny & Fredrik” (Bravo, 10 and 10:30 p.m.) they team up to flip houses and argue quite a lot.
Some familiar faces are recruited to become clowns on “Baskets” (FX, 10 p.m.) and Eddie drinks a little too much as the family rodeo starts.
I’m still annoyed by Sunday’s episode, but here’s another “This is Us” (NBC, 9 p.m.), this one told from the point of view of the family car.
New information informs a spacial “Lost Treasures of the Maya Snake Kings” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
“Black Lightning” (The CW, 9 p.m.) is recruited to go after a gang.
Questlove and Method Man tell the hip hop tales on “Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
Ashley Graham and Patrick Starr are advisors on “America’s Next Top Model” (VH1, 8 p.m.).
Mickey goes to church with Alba on “The Mick” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
Murtaugh and Riggs look for a jewelry thief on “Lethal Weapon” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
On “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” (TLC, 8 p.m.), Whitney helps Ashley induce labor.
The morning routine changes on “Blackish” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
A body of a Navy commander is found on “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
On “The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m.), Barry has to decide whether to expose his powers to save others.
ICE agents appear on “The Fosters” (Freeform, 8 p.m.).
Mike’s brother comes to visit on “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
On “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World” (ABC, 10 p.m.), Kevin goes to Canada.
A woman born in Vietnam looks for her American father on “We’ll Meet Again” (PBS, 8 p.m.).
“Another Period” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) gets into the Olympic spirit when women are allowed to compete for the first time.
The family on “The Detour” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) is raising suspicions in Alaska.
It’s Chinese New Year on “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
“Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” (Travel, 9 p.m.) rides the roads of Germany.
Captain Dave offends the cleaning crew on “L.A. to Vegas” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Bull” (CBS, 9 p.m.) goes after a hacker.
The couples on “Married at First Sight” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) find homes to live in.
Discovery of a lead cross means something on “The Curse of Oak Island” (History, 9 p.m.).
Lisa Rinna goes back to soaps on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Jazz looks to lose weight on “I Am Jazz” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
“Chopped” (Food, 10 p.m.) goes to the Mardi Gras. It’s Mardi Gras, too, on “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
A financial crisis looms on “The Quad” (BET, 10 p.m.).
Undercover adults get closer to the students on “Undercover High” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
A patient may have been abused on “Chicago Med” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
On “This Time Next Year” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), a former police cadet hopes to regain his ability to walk.
A Nazi seaplane is found in Uruguay on “Hunting Hitler” (History, 10 p.m.).
Editing nominees and winners are showcased on Turner Classic Movies’ 31 Days of Oscars with “The Great Waltz” (7 p.m.), “The Long Voyage Home” (9 a.m.), “The Black Stallion” (11 a.m.), “Doctor Doolittle” (1 p.m.), “Z” (3:45 p.m.) and “Bullitt” (6 p.m.). In prime time, it’s all editing winners with “Air Force” (8 p.m.), “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (10:15 p.m.), “How the West Was Won” (12:15 a.m.) and “Grand Prix” (3:15 a.m.).
NBA action includes Washington at Philadelphia (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes Minnesota at St. Louis (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball Pennsylvania at Princeton (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Xavier at Butler (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.), Central Florida at Cincinnati (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Tennessee at Kentucky (ESPN, 7 p.m.), South Carolina at Arkansas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Baylor at Oklahoma State (ESPNU, 8 p.m.). Georgetown at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.), TCU at Kansas (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Wichita State at Memphis (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Michigan State at Iowa (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Boise State ad New Mexico (ESPNU, 10 p.m.) and San Diego State at Fresno State (CBS Sports, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Taylor Kitsch, Nene Leakes, Da Rhythm Band. The View: Esaw Snipes, Linsey Davis, Star Jones. The Talk: James Corden, Keltie Knight, the Shadowboxes. Harry Connick: Wendell Pierce. Steve Harvey: Rob Reiner, Peta Murgatroyd, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Ellen DeGeneres: Michael B. Jordan, Cirque du Soleil. Wendy Williams: AnnaLynne McCord, Dave Salmoni. The Real: Amanda Seales.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Wanda Sykes, Thomas Haden Church, June Diane Raphael, Soul Rebels. Jimmy Kimmel: Sam Rockwell, Awolnation. Jimmy Fallon: Sarah Jessica Parker, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Diplo with Mo & Goldlink. Seth Meyers: James Spader, Whitney Cummings, Matty Matheson, Alan Cage. James Corden: Willem Dafoe, Michelle Monaghan, Max. Carson Daly: Stephanie Ruhe, Jungle, Quinn Shephard. Trevor Noah: Yance Ford. Jordan Klepper: Adam Serwer. Conan O’Brien: Laurence Fishburne, Nicole Byer, Liza Anne.