Changing times of the 20th Century has long since clashed with the outmoded manners of English estate living displayed on
“Downton Abbey” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings), so it’s time to say goodbye to the most popular set of characters on public television since the very similarly themed “Upstairs Downstairs.”
The romantic futures of Ladies Mary and Edith are at the forefront of tying up the story after six seasons, which proves how old fashioned the saga remains. But writer Julian Fellowes made it worth watching most of this time by adding a contemporary manner of quick cutting between several storylines with treats like the zingers emanating from Maggie Smith’s dowager. Alas, it looks like there won’t be my hoped-for spin-off to keep the spirit around, “Moseley!”
At a time when his own “House of Cards” (Netflix, streaming) is back with its fourth season online, Kevin Spacey’s voice as Frank Underwood seems an odd choice to narrate the nonfiction “Race for the White House” (CNN, 10 p.m.0, which, unlike the CSPAN series of the same name, is not just cinema verite of random campaign stops, but the history of past presidential elections.
For many, the current race may well be enough. To prove it, here’s yet another Democratic Presidential Debate (CNN, 8 p.m.) originates from Flint, where issues of infrastructure and government responsibilities are likely to be front and center.
Politics immediately inflicts the second season of “I Am Cait” (E! 9 p.m.), where she otherwise is determined to take a road trip with her friends.
“Quantico” (ABC, 10 p.m.) returns for its midseason premiere with Alex testifying before Congress.
Also back with new episodes is “The Last Man on Earth” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.), in which Phil’s astronaut brother, played by Jason Sudeikis, returns to the planet.
Alex tends to the shell-shocked Brett by taking him back to Detroit for a sweet episode of “Togetherness” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.).
It follows what forever will be known as the Shoshana in Japan episode of “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.), one that probably has the most nudity in it yet.
A Sly Stone-like figure named Hannibal plays in the new episode of “Vinyl” (HBO, 9 p.m.) and figures portraying Robert Goulet and Janis Joplin also appear.
With the crude turn political discourse has taken, it’s a good thing “Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) is on premium cable.
A new season begins for “Intervention” (A&E, 10 p.m.). Because there’s a need.
An Italian warship raises tension on a new “Madam Secretary” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
A Doris Day double feature has “Send Me All Flowers” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “The Thrill of It All” (TCM, 10 p.m.). Later comes a pair of Bergman films, “Cries and Whispers” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and “A Lesson in Love” (3:45 a.m.). In between there’s a quartet of silent comedies having to do with Laurel and Hardy starting with “Double Whoopee” (TCM, midnight).
NBA action includes Golden State at Lakers (ABC, 2:30 p.m.) and Portland at Detroit (NBA, 5 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops include SMU at Cincinnati (NBC, noon), Holy Cross at Army (CBS Sports, noon), Central Florida at Connecticut (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), American at Lehigh (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Northern Iowa at Evansville (CBS, 2 p.m.), UNC Asheville at Winthrop (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.), Memphis at East Carolina (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.) and Maryland at Indiana (CBS, 4:30 p.m.),
Women’s games include Duquesne at George Washington (ESPNU, noon), Syracuse at Notre Dame (ESPN, 12:30 p.m.), Mississippi State at South Carolina (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.), Tulane at Connecticut (ESPNU, 4:30 p.m.), Temple at South Florida (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.) and Michigan State at Maryland (ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Hockey has St. Louis at Minnesota (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: John Kasich, Bernie Sanders, Reince Priebus. CBS: Priebus, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton. NBC: Sen. Lindsey Graham, Mitt Romney. CNN: Marco Rubio, Sanders, Rep. Joaquin Castro. Fox News: Romney.