At the moment where the UK seems in crisis over its plan to leave the European Union (or lack of it), the intriguing film “Brexit” (HBO, 9 p.m.) shows how the surprising vote happened. Its plunge into new metrics, social media influence and exploiting dissatisfaction in the hinterlands is useful how to explain how other surprising votes happened in the U.S. at about the same time (with the added plus of not mentioning anything about American politics at all).
Benjamin Cumberbatch is very good as usual as a single minded organizer who wants to break from the staid conservative politicians who have failed on the issue for years.
Christina Ricci plays the pioneering 19th century journalist in “Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), a higher profile film from the network that also stars Judith Light as the head nurse at the women’s asylum where she’s gone undercover.
The latest variation of “Planet Earth: Dynasties” (BBC America, AMC, IFC, 9 p.m.) has host David Attenborough looking at five different endangered species. First up: lions.
Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro star in the drug war action film “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” (Starz, 8 p.m.), making its premium cable debut, as does Jason Reitman’s “Tully” (HBO, 7:30 p.m.), starring Charlize Theron as an overwhelmed mom.
The NBA takes a prime time broadcast slot with Lakers at Houston (ABC, 8:30 p.m.). Earlier games include Oklahoma City at Philadelphia (ABC, 3:30 p.m.).
“Love & Marriage: Huntsville” (OWN, 10 p.m.) discusses cheating.
A pair of Massachusetts teachers rescue a deaf puppy on “Pit Bulls and Parolees” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.).
Jen Lilley and Kevin McGarry play two authors go on a book tour and find romance on the made-for-TV movie “Winter Love Story” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.).
“Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN, 9 p.m.) starts using a lie detector.
“Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie” (Reelz, 9 p.m.) marks the 40th anniversary of the influential John Travolta dance flick.
The latest true crime series is attached to nearby graffiti: “Smiley Face Killers: The Hunt for Justice” (Oxygen, 7 p.m.).
Four line dancing brides from New Mexico compete on “Four Weddings” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
A couple of movies on mayoral elections are on Turner Classic Movies tonight, “The Last Hurrah” (8 p.m.) and “The Reformer and the Redhead” (10:15 p.m.). The noir at 12 is “Murder, My Sweet” (midnight). Then comes the nostalgia of “The Big Chill” (2 a.m.) and “Eddie and the Cruisers” (4 a.m.).
Hockey has Calgary at Edmonton (NHL, 3:30 p.m.) and Rangers at Boston (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Michigan at Wisconsin (ESPN, noon), North Carolina at Miami (ESPN2, noon), Tulsa at Central Florida (ESPNU, noon), Florida at Georgia (CBS, noon), Richmond at Davidson (NBC Sports, 12:30 p.m.), Alabama at Tennessee (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Kansas at West Virginia (ESPN, 2 p.m.), Indiana at Purdue (Fox, 2 p.m.), Loyola Chicago at Indiana State (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Cincinnati at Wichita State (CBS, 2 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Syracuse (NBC Sports, 2 p.m.), Rhode Island at La Salle (NBC Sports, 2:30 p.m.), Kentucky at Auburn (ESPN, 4 p.m.), UCLA at Southern California (CBS, 4 p.m.), TCU at Kansas State (ESPN2, 4 p.m.), SMU at Memphis (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), St. John’s at Butler (Fox, 4:30 p.m.), Dayton at St. Bonaventure (NBC Sports, 4:30 p.m.), Pennsylvania at Temple (CBS Sports, 5 p.m.), Virginia at Duke (ESPN, 6 p.m.), Texas Tech at Baylor (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), Oklahoma State at Iowa State (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Massachusetts at VCU (NBC Sports, 6:30 p.m.), Tulane at Connecticut (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Houston at South Florida (ESPNU, 8 p.m.), DePaul at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.) and Air Force at Nevada (ESPNU, 10 p.m.).
Women’s games include Navy at Army (CBS Sports, noon).
College football has the East-West Shrine Game (NFL, 3 p.m.) and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (Fox Sports 1, 5 p.m.).
The Australian Open (Tennis, 7 p.m.; ESPN2, 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.) reaches its round of 16.
Soccer has U.S. at France (Fox Sports, 12:30 p.m.) in a women’s friendly.
In golf, there’s third round play in the Latin America Amateur Championship (ESPNews, 11 a.m.), and the Tournament of Champions (Golf, 2 p.m.; NBC, 3 p.m.).
In skiing, there are men’s and women’s moguls (NBC, 5 p.m.).
College women’s hockey includes Ohio State at Minnesota Duluth (Fox Sports, 5 p.m.); men’s college hockey has Western Michigan at St. Cloud State (Fox Sports 2, 7:15 p.m.).
Arctic Monkeys and Wild Child play a new “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 11 p.m., check local listings).
The first new “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) of 2019 is hosted by Rachel Brosnahan with Greta Van Fleet as musical guest. A replay of last year’s episode with Will Ferrell and Chris Stapleton plays at 10.