For all the quality on TV tonight, from “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO, 9 p.m.) to “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.) and “Dexter” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), the best thing might be the feature-length offering on “Masterpiece Contemporary” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Page Eight” stars Bill Nighy, engaging, flinty and smart in what is much the same role he played in an earlier HBO movie, “The Girl in the Café” – a highly placed government agent whose order is undone when he meets an alluring young woman.
In this case, it’s Rachel Weisz, who has an issue of her own to resolve. The taut plotline of intrigue involves still-vivid contemporary issues of torture, cover-up and international relations. And it’s got a heck of a cast that also includes Michael Gambon, Judy Davis, Ralph Fiennes and Felicity Jones.
David Hare, the esteemed writer (and adapter of “The Reader” and “The Hours”) also directed with much the same finesse. Great stuff.
In another TV movie tonight, Marc Harmon doesn’t stray too far from his character on “NCIS” (USA, 7 and 8 p.m.) for his role in a new TV movie “John Sanford’s Certain Prey” (USA, 9 p.m.), in which he plays Minneapolis deputy police chief Lucas Davenport.
And it doesn’t look like the Christmas movies will stop anytime soon on Hallmark, where the new “Mistletoe” (Halllmark, 8 and 10 p.m.) follows a replay of “Eve’s Christmas” (Hallmark, 6 p.m.).
The premiere of the new series “Hell on Wheels” (AMC, 10 p.m.), see above, follows the latest episode of “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.), in which Shane has been revealed as being more devious than before, and not only because he got a Travis Bickle haircut.
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) return for a fourth season. Aren’t we sick of NeNe and Kim by now?
Jane Lynch guest stars on “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.), as Homer’s new assistant.
After a non-elimination stop last week, someone has to go in tonight’s “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.), currently in Malawi.
It’s Baltimore at Pittsburgh in Sunday Night Football (NBC, 8:15 p.m.)
The second annual showcase of African American female achievement, “Black Girls Rock!” (BET, 8 p.m.) is co hosted by Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross. The honorees range from Angela Davis and Shirley Caesar to Taraji P. Henson and Tatyana Ali. Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Mary Mary are among the performers in the event taped at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx.
Similarly, “The TeenNick Halo Awards” (Nickelodeon, 8 p.m.) honors teens who have made accomplishments in public service. Jason Derulo, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Jessica Biel and David Beckham are among the celebrities paired with the young people. Nick cannon hosts the event taped in Los Angeles.
Kim Kardashian should star in this week’s “Why Am I Still Single” (E, 9 p.m.), but alas, she does not.
“Susan Boyle: An Unlikely Superstar” (TLC, 8 p.m.) follows the middle aged woman discovered in Britain’s hit show “The X Factor”; nobody like that is likely to come out of the U.S. version. Boyle happens to have a new album out.
Humiliation is just a part of the burden of job searches. So the cooks on “Chef Hunter” (Food Network, 10 p.m.) also agree to let their tryouts be part of a reality show.
The struggles of American veterans is the subject of a new “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.), just in time for veteran’s day.
Bob Hope and Lucille Ball star in the bitter drama “Critic’s Choice” (TCM, 8 p.m.).
And if you didn’t already catch it Friday and Saturday, you can watch “The Wizard of Oz” (TBS, 7 and 9:30 p.m.) twice.
Sunday Talk
ABC: Rep. John Boehner, Condoleezza Rice. CBS: Liz Cheney; Ed Gillespie; Kevin Madden; Ed Rollins; Liddy, Abby and Mary Anne Huntsman. NBC: Jon Huntsman, Bill Richardson, Haley Barbour. CNN: Marty Durbin, David Certner, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Anita Dunn, Rep. Tom Davis, Gary Gauer, Jim Wallis. Fox News: Ron Paul, Reps. Mike Simpson and Heath Shuler.