Barack Obama may expound on his ambitious slate of legislative plans on the first State of the Union (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, CNN, CSPAN, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, 9 p.m.) in his second term.
It’s a national event, and not just because it dominates so many networks. It’s a chance to see how divided Congress is because either one side will stand and clap or the other will, hardly ever both.
Stick around when it’s done; Marco Rubio gives the Republican response. Harder to find will be the Tea Party response, given by Rand Paul. Look for it on CSPAN or Fox News. But its likely audience will probably already be watching “Doomsday Preppers” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
NBC will stretch its coverage to 11 p.m., while two others will attempt to lighten the mood with sitcom reruns of “Modern Family” (ABC, 10:30 p.m.) and “Mike & Molly” (CBS, 10:30 p.m.).
“Frontline” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) tells the story of the fiscal cliff standoff and what built up to it in a report, “Cliffhanger,” that includes interviews with Speaker of the House John Boehner, White House adviser Gene Sperling and Obama’s former Chief of Staff William Daley. It’s a reminder of how things got so balled up in Washington, set to ominous music.
The closing night of the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (USA, 8 p.m.) from Madison Square Garden sees a switch in networks and names a Best in Show.
On “Bobby McFerrin: A Youngarts Masterclass” (HBO, 7:30 p.m.), the singer coaches four young singers who will back him in a concert in Germany.
The world’s largest centipede, found inside a Venezuelan cave, is sought by “Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
Given a job at a car show on a rerun of “New Girl” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.), Jess would be a good car model for, say, Le Car.
Andy Cohen and Patti Stanger’s “The Millionaire Matchmaker Valentine’s Day: A Watch What Happens Love Special” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) tries to match up stars from other Bravo shows.
Al Madrigal, Ralphie May and Nikki Glaser are guests on a new “The Burn with Jeff Ross” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.).
The second night of Oscar winners and nominees for RKO Radio Pictures features, from the 1940s, “Citizen Kane” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Notorious” (TCM, 10:15 p.m.), “My Favorite Wife” (TCM, 12:15 a.m.), “Kitty Foyle” (TCM, 2 a.m.) and “The Spanish Main” (TCM, 3 a.m.).
NHL action includes Rangers at Bruins (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.). In basketball, it’s Portland at Miami (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Houston at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Virginia Tech at Virginia (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Kentucky at Florida (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Seton Hall at Rutgers (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Michigan at Michigan State (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Alabama at Georgia (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Viola Davis, Chris Byrne, Neon Trees. The View: Cissy Houston, Wendy Plump. The Talk: Julie Andrews, Kristan Cunningham. Ellen Degeneres: Michelle Obama, Al Gore, Bruno Mars.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Bruce Willis, Kate Upton, Little Big Town. Jay Leno: Charles Barkley, Bob Fisher, Jewel. Jimmy Kimmel: Jessica Alba, Bobby Flay, Ellie Goulding. Jimmy Fallon: Josh Duhamel, Craig Robinson, Christina Tosi, Boyd Tinsley. Craig Ferguson: Ted Danson, Teresa Palmer. Carson Daly: Nick Kroll, Biz Stone, Vacationer. Tavis Smiley: Mark Pinsky. Jon Stewart: Mike Piazza. Stephen Colbert: Roger Hodge. Conan O’Brien: Bill Maher, Celeste Anderson, Jackie Kashian. Chelsea Handler: Jenny McCarthy, Dan Levy, Diablo Cody, Ross Mathews.