“The Equalizer” (CBS, approximately 10:30 p.m.) is the latest cop and action show with a title borrowed from the past — in this case a CBS series that fan from 1985 to 89. Better known perhaps is the film series starring Denzel Washington, but the new one has Queen Latifah in the title role, helping out people with nowhere else to turn.
Like too many CBS dramas, it has too much plot for 42 minutes, too many explosives before commercial breaks and a crazy reliance on computer screens and snazzy scene changes. It’s nice to see Latifah in such a role (instead of the waifs usually cast in female cop roles), but she’s got too much to do (in addition of course of being a mother).
Still it gets the coveted post game slot following Super Bowl LV: Kansas City at Tampa Bay (CBS, 6:30 p.m.). The big game will try the usual hubbub despite limiting attendance to 25,000. The Weeknd is doing a solo halftime show. Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church will duet on the National Anthem. President Joe Biden will do a traditional interview during the pregame hoopla.
Stay up after the game, the new show and local news and a special Sunday night “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS, approximately midnight) hosts Robert Downey Jr., Tiffany Haddish and Metallica.
Haddish does double duty by also hosting the afterparty “The Verizon Big Concert for Small Business” (BET, 11 p.m.) with performances from Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Christina Aguilera and Eric Church. IT follows a replay of the “Super Bowl Gospel Celebration 2021” (BET, 10 p.m.).