Frederick Wiseman’s 44th documentary takes him to countryside bistro in central France — a Michelin 3-star restaurant operated by the same family for four generations. As with his earlier films, from “Titicut Follies” to “High School” and “City Hall,” he steps back in his new “Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) to quietly observe the inner workings of an institution. With no talking heads, and no interviews, he allows the subjects to do the talking about the splendid food they’re making — if they so desire.
At an appearance at the TV Critics Association winter press tour last month, I asked the 93-year-old filmmaker about this approach.
“Well, the model for this kind of filmmaking is Las Vegas,” Wiseman said. “You roll the dice and you hope you’re going to win. And I hang around a lot in town and I shoot a lot of film. And, you know, that’s the gamble. But I don’t stimulate any — I don’t ask any questions at all. And I take the gamble or the risk that if I’m there long enough, I’ll have enough material out of which I can cut a film.”
“In seven weeks, ‘Troisgros’ shot 140 hours,” he said. “And I figured that was enough. I had enough material I could cut a short, four-hour film out of.” That’s right — buckle in. And have dinner first. It is a four-hour movie.
Regina King portrays the first Black Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her 1972 Presidential run in John Ridley’s new bio pic “Shirley” (Netflix, streaming), also starring Terrence Howard and Lance Reddick.
The buzziest documentary out now might be “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told ” (Hulu, streaming), about spring break bacchanalia in 1990s Atlanta, that’s meant to echo (in title at least) the streaming Fyre Festival documentary a decade ago, “Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened.”
A second season starts for the real estate reality show “Buying Beverly Hills” (Netflix, streaming)
“The CasaGrandes Movie” (Netflix, streaming) is an animated feature based on a spinoff of “The Loud House,” The Casagrandes” that ran on Nickelodeon a few years back.
There is first round play in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament with Michigan State at North Carolina (ESPN2, 11:30 a.m.), Maine vs. Ohio State (ESPN, noon), Middle Tennessee vs. Louisville (ESPN2, 1:30 p.m.), Presbyterian vs. South Carolina (ESPN, 2 p.m.), Richmond vs. Duke (ESPNews, 2:30 p.m.), Drexel vs. Texas (ESPNU, 3 p.m.), Marshall vs. Virginia Tech (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.), Rice vs. LSU (ESPN, 4 p.m.), Portland vs. Kansas State (ESPNews, 4:30 p.m.), Florida State vs. Alabama (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.), Vanderbilt vs. Baylor (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Drake vs. Colorado (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Maryland vs. Iowa State (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.), Eastern Washington vs. Oregon State (ESPNU, 8 p.m.), Norfolk State vs. Stanford (ESPN2, 10 p.m.) and Texas A&M vs. Nebraska (ESPNU, 10:30 p.m.).
First round March Madness for men continues with Northwestern vs. Florida Atlantic (CBS, 12:15 p.m.), Colgate vs. Baylor (truTV, 12:40 p.m.), UAB vs. San Diego State (TNT, 1:45 p.m.), Western Kentucky vs. Marquette (TBS, 2 p.m.), Stetson vs. UConn (CBS, 2:45 p.m.), New Mexico vs. Clemson (truTV, 3:10 p.m.), Yale vs. Auburn (TNT, 4:15 p.m.), Colorado vs. Florida (TBS, 4:30 p.m.), Texas A&M vs. Nebraska (TNT, 6:50 p.m.), Vermont vs. Duke (CBS, 7:10 p.m.), Grambling vs. Purdue (TBS, 7:25 p.m.), Charleston vs. Alabama (truTV, 7:35 p.m.), Longwood vs. Houston (TNT, 9:20 p.m.), James Madison vs. Wisconsin (CBS, 9:40 p.m.), TCU vs. Utah State (TBS, 9:55 p.m.) and Grand Canyon vs. Saint Mary’s (truTV, 10:05 p.m.).
Elsewhere, there’s the ISU World Figure Skating Championships (USA, 8 p.m.) from Montreal.
And further competition, of course, from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (MTV, 8 p.m.).
Dustin departs Nugget Creek to go to Dakota Fred’s 80th birthday on “Gold Rush: White Water” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
“America’s Backyard Gold” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) starts digging in Georgia and Alabama.
Men meet the women’s families on “Ready to Love” (OWN, 8 p.m.).
“Mama June: From Not to Hot” (WEtv, 8 p.m.) stresses over Honey Boo Boo’s college preparation.
Beech returns to Detroit on “BMF” (Starz, 8 p.m.).
Memorable TV movies from the 1970s are on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “Brian’s Song” (8 p.m.), “The Boy in the Bubble” (10 p.m.), “Duel” (midnight), “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (2 a.m.). During the day are films written by Noel Coward with “We Were Dancing” (7:45 a.m.), “Bitter Sweet” (9:30 a.m.), “In Which We Serve” (11:15 a.m.), “This Happy Breed” (1:15 p.m.), “Private Lives” (3:15 p.m.), “Brief Encounter” (4:45 p.m.) and “Blithe Spirit” (6:15 p.m.).
Basketball has Cleveland at Minnesota (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Philadelphia at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Carolina at Washington (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Spring baseball includes Mets vs. Yankees (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Texas vs. Cleveland (MLB, 4 p.m.).
College baseball includes West Virginia at Oklahoma (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college hockey has its NCHC Frozen Faceoff semifinals with Omaha vs. North Dakota (CBS Sports, 5 p.m.) and St. Cloud State vs. Denver (CBS Sports, 8:30 p.m.).
International soccer friendlies have Moldova at North Macedonia (Fox Sports 2, 10:30 a.m.), Norway vs. Czech Republic (Fox Sports 2, 1 p.m.) and Netherlands vs. Scotland (Fox Sports 2, 3:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Lukas Gage, Eric Ripert. The View: Chelsea Clinton. Drew Barrymore: Darren Grant, Molly Baz. Kelly Clarkson: William Shatner, Gary Clark Jr., Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus. Jennifer Hudson: Phil Keoghan, Lisa Rinna. Tamron Hall: Janice Dickinson, Mahalya Reeves, Ingrid Silva.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Rebecca Ferguson, Denis Villeneuve (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Anthony Anderson, Nathalie Emmanuel. Warren Eiders (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Alicia Keys, Tony Goldwyn, Maleah Joi Moon, cast of “Hell’s Kitchen.” Seth Meyers: James Corden, Devery Jacobs, Nico Carney, Colleen Clark (rerun). Taylor Tomlinson: Taylor Ortega, Jon Gabrus, Megan Gailey (rerun) Bill Maher: Kara Swisher, Beto O’Rourke, Sarah Isgur.