Another slightly more exhausted parade of athletes marks the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (NBC, 9 p.m.) and what other spectacles? Cossacks horsewhipping Pussy Riot? A salute to Bob Costas’ pink eye? Russian soldiers are expected to march first so they can get down to Kiev quickly as possible. Putin will crack another expressionless face. And we say farewell to those awful U.S. costumes.
Right after it’s over, though, it’s time to hype another new sitcom. “Growing Up Fisher” (NBC, 10:38 p.m.) is about a kid whose parents have just separated and his dad is blind, except he’s been pretending to everyone that he’s not. That means more sight impairment jokes since Mr. Magoo, and an underlying schmaltz. that Jason Bateman narrates doesn’t make it “Arrested Development.”
And since he’s narrating, but the show is set in the present, it sets up the kind of weird future narration as “How I Met Your Mother.” It’s more like “The Wonder Years” though because of the kid. J.K. Simmons is fun to watch, but this isn’t a role that won’t go far for him. The surprise is Jenna Elfman, kind of enjoyable in a supporting role. There’ a lot here that is hard to believe — like a blind man who drives — but because it’s based on a writer’s home life, it’s supposed to be real. That doesn’t mean it’s entertaining, tough. Its regular slot will be Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.
The two hour finale of “Downton Abbey” on “Masterpiece Classic” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) was made as a Christmas special, run months after the rest of the third season in the U.K. For that reason, the action has moved very quickly ahead. Edith is already back from her trip, for example. Action revolves round Rose’s coming out party in London Society, so we see glimpses of royalty for the first time. Also some visitors from America: Shirley MacLaine, reprising her role as Cora’s free-thinking mother, and her son, played by Paul Giamatti.
This kind of grandeur you won’t get on “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 10 p.m.), which is starting to delve into individual characters’ back stories.
It’s a shame that even the best reality shows lose sight of what made them good. In the case of “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) and “Survivor” as well, it’s the ability to find all new people each season and turn them into characters we’d like to follow. Instead, they feel they must bring back familiar faces. Such is the case with another “All-Star” edition that brings back pairs you might remember (the Kentucky pals) and those you’d wish to forget (Brendon and Rachel again?). A number of teams are actually back for the third time. Still, good to have this show back.
Some of the themes heard during the Winter Olympics have been from Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, whose satirical opera “The Nose” plays this afternoon on “Great Performances at the Met” (PBS, noon, check local listings) with Paulo Szot as Kovalyov, the burocrat who discovers that his nose has run away.
Things are moving quickly now on “True Detective” (HBO, 9 p.m.). Tonight depicts why Cohle and Hart went their separate ways in 2002 and hints why Cohle is being investigated by police in the present day.
Hanna conducts an almost shockingly unprofessional interview with Patti LuPone on “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.), but the big news happens to Adam and may change their whole dynamic.
Lip faces a challenge on “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
“Food Court Wars” (Food Network, 8 p.m.) starts a new season with the making of beignets.
Do you believe in miracles? Well, too bad. The Olympics gold medal hockey game has Canada vs. Sweden (NBC, 6:30 a.m.). Go ahead and sleep in.
The Daytona 500 (Fox, noon) kicks off the NASCAR season in Florida.
Frank Capra’s “You Can’t Take It With You” (TCM, 10 p.m.) won the Best Picture Oscar in 1938 against the other nominees: “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Pygmalion” (TCM, 12:15 a.m.), “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and “Boys Town” (TCM, 4 a.m.).
NBA action includes Clippers at Thunder (ABC, 1 p.m.), Bulls at Heat (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) and Rockets at Suns (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Michigan State at Michigan (CBS, noon), Bucknell at Boston University (CBS Sports, noon), Yale at Columbia (NBC Sports Network, 1:30 p.m.), Southern Methodist at Connecticut (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Florida State at Pittsburgh (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Providence at Butler (Fox Sports 1, 6 p.m.), Arizona State at Utah (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and Southern California at California (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Women’s college basketball includes Duke at Notre Dame (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Kentucky at Texas A&M (ESPN2, 2 p.m.) and Maryland at Georgia Tech (ESPN2, 4 p.m.).
Maybe you long for the summer Olympic type events. Here’s the U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships (NBC Sports Network, 3:30 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Former President George W. Bush, Team Rubicon co-founder Jacob Wood. CBS: Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. NBC: National Security Adviser Susan Rice. CNN: Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, actor Joe Morton. Fox News: Sens. Dick Durbin and Kelly Ayotte. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin.