The original 1968 “Elvis” (Amazon, streaming) comeback special is still such a compelling musical triumph it could easily fill a prime time broadcast slot today. But that isn’t how things work a half century later, so the special gets a salute from an array of available contemporary stars, giving the false impression that Blake Shelton is a modern equivalent only because he fits in his leather jacket.
There are some stirrings in “Elvis: All-Star Tribute Special” (NBC, 9 p.m.) in which modern day names from Adam Lambert to Shawn Mendes and Carrie Underwood perform on a set that looks very much like the one in 1968. But there’s little reason to have Post Malone here; he hardly knows the songs. A gospel medley is stirring but doesn’t include the gospel Elvis sang on his special. J-Lo gets into the sex appeal but not really the song (extending the odd stance she took in her Motown salute at the Grammys). The best part of the “If I Can Dream” finale is the King’s original passion. But if it gets one kid digging out the Sun sessions as a result, it all may be worth it. Here’s a story I wrote about the special for TV Guide magazine.
It had everything you may have wanted in a prestige series, with an Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as a lowly UN employee who learns he has a spy doppleganger. But “Counterpart” (Starz, 8 p.m.) existed in an era of too many good series, so maybe it was hard to find. Anyway it has been canceled, meaning tonight’s season two finale will also be its last and its story isn’t likely to be completed.
The NBA All-Star Game (TBS, TNT, 8:20 p.m.) is the culmination of the weekend from Charlotte.
It’s been way too long since we last saw “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO, 11 p.m.). The top rate topical comedy show has plenty to cover from this week as well as the rest of the new year.
The proliferation of presidential candidates is covered on “The Circus: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth” (Showtime, 8 p.m.).
“True Detective” (HBO, 9 p.m.) collects more clues at it approaches its conclusion.
Mo tries to get Blair’s relationship back together on “Black Monday” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
On “Crashing” (HBO, 10 p.m.) Kat meets Pete’s parents.
Presidents weekend is marked by a two-night special “Presidents at War” (History, 8 p.m.), starting with an examination of those during World War II, topped by “The Secret History of the White House” (History, 10 p.m.).
“Don’t Be Tardy…” (Bravo, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) returns for its seventh season without the rest of its title (…to the Party”).
The 2019 American Rescue Dog Show (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) will at least rescue from another night of romance movies.
There is a villain on “Supergirl” (CW, 8 p.m.) named Menagerie.
Missionaires become hostages during an uprising abroad on “Madam Secretary” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Porsha waits for her baby to arrive while the other “Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) wonder whether there will be a ceremony.
On “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.), Krusty reveals his past in a big movie.
Tina befriends a goose on “Bob’s Burgers” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
On “Charmed” (CW, 9 p.m.), Macy conjures up a Necromancer.
Paying with Venmo is a thing on “High Maintenance” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.).
On “SMILF” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.), Bridgett gets a taste of the rich life.
Frank faces off against his friend on “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
“NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 9 p.m.) continues to look for a terrorist cell in the city.
More is learned about the Whisperers on “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
“Expedition Unknown” (Travel, 9 p.m.) goes to Australia and Tasmania.
Turner classic Movies has a pair of Oscar films about nuns, “The Nun’s Story” (8 p.m.) and “Agnes of God” (10:45 p.m.) followed by a pair with three acting winners each, “A Streetcar Named Desire” (12:45 a.m.) and “Network” (3 a.m.). Earlier, it’s all Oscar nominated musicals with “Meet Me in St. Louis” (6 a.m.), “Top Hat” (8 a.m.), “Annie Get Your Gun” (10 a.m.), “Bye Bye Birdie” (noon), “Oliver!” (2 p.m.) and “South Pacific” (5 p.m.).
Hockey has Rangers at Pittsburgh (NBC, 12:30 p.m.), St. Louis at Minnesota (NBC, 3 p.m.) and Philadelphia at Detroit (NBC Sports, 6 p.m.).
In the Alliance of American Football, it’s Orlando at San Antonio (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.) and Atlanta at San Diego (NFL, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Ohio State at Michigan State (CBS, 1 p.m.), Wichita State at Cincinnati (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Houston at Tulane (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Seton Hall at Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 3 p.m.), Missouri State at Loyola Chicago (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Villanova at St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, 5 p.m.), Miami at Boston College (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Arizona at Colorado (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and Illinois at Wisconsin (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Women’s games include Marquette at Seton Hall (CBS Sports, noon), George Washington at Dayton (ESPNU, noon), Maryland at Iowa (ESPN2, 1 p.m.), DePaul at St. John’s (Fox Sports 2, 1 p.m.), Duquesne at Rhode Island (NBC Sports, 1 p.m.), Northeastern at Drexel (NBC Sports, 2 p.m.), Miami at Louisville (ESPN2, 3 p.m.), Richmond at Saint Louis (NBC Sports, 3 p.m.) and Tennessee at Missouri (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
The Daytona 500 (Fox, 2:30 p.m.) is run.
The final round is played in the Genesis Open (Golf, 1 p.m.; CBS, 3 p.m.).
In the World Alpine Championships, it’s the men’s slalom (NBC Sports, 8 a.m.).
Bowlers have the PBA Players Championship (Fox Sports 1, 1 p.m.).
Softball has Notre Dame vs. Ohio State (ESPNU, 10 a.m.) and Tennessee vs. Florida State (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jim Jordan, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former Gov. William Weld. CBS: Sens. Lindsey Graham and Chris Coons, Will Hurd, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe. NBC: Sen. Ron Johnson, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Democratic National Committee Tom Perez. CNN: Sen. Sherrod Brown, Reps. Adam Schiff and Anthony Brown. Fox News: White house senior policy adviser Stephen Miller.