HBO’s Monday nights go further Scandanavian with the premiere of “Beartown” (HBO, 9 p.m.), an adaptation of the bestseller by the same name from Fredrick Backman, who also wrote “A Man Called One.” It’s about a Swedish hockey star who returns to his small northern town after a stint in the Canadian NHL team, to coach its fledgling team.
With the senior squad hopeless, he focuses on the junior team to start winning and a young star player who has an interest in his daughter. The five-episode series looks pretty compelling, even as it reflects the winter chills we’ve been having stateside.
It’s followed by the latest episode of another fine import, “The Investigation” (HBO, 10 p.m.), on which the Swedish cadaver dogs come to help the grim Danish search in the chilly Baltic.
Ellis Haizlip’s public television variety show “Soul!” Which aired from 1968 to 1973 and had guest that ranged from Muhammad Ali to Al Green, James Baldwin to Roberta Flack, is recalled in Melissa Haizlip’s award-winning documentary “Mr. Soul!” making its TV debut on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Rhiannon Giddens’ musical explorations are featured on the special “Reclaiming History: Native Daughters” (Smithsonian, 9 p.m.).
Kendall Kyndall hosts a new weekly talk show, “Social Society” (AllBlk, streaming) on the streaming service formerly known as UMC.
“The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) visits to the hometowns of Bri, Michelle, Rachael and Serena and meets their families.