There’s one day a year people really pay attention to commercials, and it’s this Sunday. But to stretch out that moment, and to pretend that past years really gave us something special, there’s the annual special “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials 2013” (CBS, 8 p.m.). Boomer Esiason and Aisha Tyler host. The Mean Joe Greene Coke ad, right, is always part of the Top 10. And there are glimpses at some of the new ads for this year.
Along these lines, there is also a Super Bowl Tailgate Takeover (Travel, 9 p.m.) on cable, in which Adam Richman hosts tailgate parties for Ravens and 49ers fans.
It’s down to five on “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.), where remaining contestants board a cruiser to Alaska and cook on board.
The second of a three part salute to the work of Richard Attenborough on “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) looks at his work with scientists over the years, including the Austrian who studied the imprinting young geese do on the first thing they see when they hatch.
New seasons were announced Tuesday for “Ripper Street” (BBC America, 10 p.m.), “Banshee” (Cinemax, 8 and 9 p.m.), “Shameless” (Showtime, 8 p.m.), “Californication” (Showtime, 10 p.m.) and “House of Lies” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.).
Talk about a cold case. “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) tries to look at the evidence to figure out who killed Charles Lindberg’s baby in 1932.
Nia Vardalos and Raul Esparza guest star on a new “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC, 9 p.m.). Wilmer Valderrama guest stars on “Suburgatory” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
Dani is starting to treat rock stars on a new “Necessary Roughness” (USA, 10 p.m.).
With a regal name like “Barter Kings” (A&E, 10 p.m.), you might think these guys have the upper hand when trading stuff.
So many hunters on TV! “Ghost Hunters” (Syfy, 9 p.m.), “Auction Hunters” (Spike, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) and “House Hunters” (HGTV, 10 and 10:30 p.m.), just to name three.
The “American Digger” series gets a pro wrestling turn when it is Ric Savage and his family who hunt for historic treasure in the renamed “Savage Family Diggers” (Spike, 10 p.m.).
She’s no doctor but she does visit celebrites on “Hollywood House Calls with Cat Deeley” (Style, 10 p.m.). First stop is Carmelo Anthony and her wife La La.
In “Celebrity Closet Confidential” (Style, 10:30 p.m.), stylist Mary Alice Haney aids stars with wardrobe concerns, beginning with LeAnn Rimes.
Another new episode in the reality show that hasn’t quite taken over the world, “Washington Heights” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
The ghost hunters on “The Kroll Show” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) are instead called “Ghost Bouncers.” Also tonight, the Young Bill Joel.
Other confusing things on tonight: both “First Knight” (BBC AMERICA, 8 p.m.) and “Knight and Day” (FX, 7:30 p.m.),
There’s another two hour audition episode for “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Andrea heads the mother’s group on a new “Cheer Perfection” (TLC, 10 p.m.), which comes after an Oklahoma pageant on a new “Toddler’s & Tiaras” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Can’t wait until the start of the next season of “Survivor?” There’s a half hour introduction to the new castaways in “Survivor: Caramoan Fans vs. Favorites Preview” (TV Guide, 8 p.m.).
Shows that sound like desert dishes: “Dangerous Persuasions” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.), “Dark Matters: Extra Twisted” (Science, 10 p.m.) and “Black Gold” (TruTV, 10 p.m.).
Keep waiting for “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.) to go into the shirt business.
Keep the extinguisher handy tonight. In addition to a new “Chicago Fire” (NBC, 10 p.m.), there’s also “Life on Fire” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings), the movie “Man on Fire” (ION, 9 p.m.) and the Stones bio pic “Crossfire Hurricane” (HBO2, 8 p.m.).
Ushering in the impending anniversary of the day the music died, the Ritchie Valens bio pic “La Bamba” (Encore, 8 p.m.).
There’s a Chicago speakeasy theme on “Bobby’s Dinner Battle” (Food, 10 p.m.).
The salute to Loretta Young on Turner Classic Movies concludes with “The Farmer’s Daughter” (8 p.m.), “The Stranger” (9:45 p.m.), “Rachel and the Stranger” (11:30 p.m.), “Along Came Jones” (1 a.m.), “Key to the City” (2:45 a.m.), “Cause for Alarm” (4:30 a.m.) and “The Unguarded Hour” (5:45 a.m.).
NBA action includes Heat at Nets (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Lakers at Suns (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.). In college hoops, it’s Villanova at Notre Dame (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Texas at Kansas (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Blackhawks at Wild (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Keri Russell, Chris Harrison. The View: Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Ted Allen, Andrea Bocelli & David Foster, KaDee Strickland. The Talk: Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Frazier, Train. Ellen DeGeneres: Catherine ZetaJones, Nicholas Hoult.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jason Bateman, Alison Brie, Shovels & Rope. Jay Leno: Charlie Sheen, David O. Russell, Holly Williams. Jimmy Kimmel: Magic Johnson, Nicholas Hoult, Antibalas. Jimmy Fallon: Jude Law, Mike Tyson, Joshua Topolsky, Bad Religion, Michael Bolton. Craig Ferguson: Dominic Monaghan, Ellie Kemper. Carson Daly: Guillermo del Toro, Shiny Toy Guns. Tavis Smiley: Ping Fu. Jon Stewart: Al Gore. Stephen Colbert: Bill Gates. Conan O’Brien: Adam Scott, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Ben Folds Five. Chelsea Handler: Piers Morgan, Drew Droege, Fortune Feimster, Jo Koy.