“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) begins its 22nd season, with 11 teams embarking on the 30,000 – mile trek that will stop in bora bora, New Zealand, Botswana and Switzerland before the $1 million is awarded the winner.
Competitors this week include twin brother OB/GNYs, hockey playing brohters, father-son cancer survivors and two country singers — one a descendent of John Wayne; the other of Daniel Boone. A full list of the competitors can be found here.
Another one of those two hour episodes of “Downton Abbey” closes out season three on “Masterpiece Classic” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). Despite the overstuffed storylines and narrative heft of the episodes (further weighted by having no commercials), it’s a pleasant trip to Scotland to visit Shrimpie, father of Rose, the sly teenage neice who strayed to the jazz nightclub with a married man last week.
It’s a chance for some more beautiful scenery and a completely different castle, but also some significant drama, some of which will seem about as contrived as anything seen on the series.
Last week’s return of “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) resulted in another ratings record. Its 12.3 million viewers made it not only the most watched scripted show on cable ever, but the most watched scripted show on all of television last week. As for tonight’s episode, Daryl and Merle begin their brotherly adventure together.
A mock trial gets heated on “The Good Wife” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The Oscar nominated short “The Longest Daycare” starring Maggie Simpson, is part of tonight’s new episode of “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Fourteen terrible cooks join the fourth season of the competition “Worst Cooks in America” (Food, 9 p.m.).
A little attention to the boys is given on “Girls” (HBO, 9 p.m.) as Ray accompanies Adam on a dog-returning trip to Staten Island. Meanwhile, Hannah gets an e-book deal and Marnie learns a hard truth after helping host Booth’s arty party.
Just as things are looking up for Amy, Levi suddenly returns from rehab on “Enlightened” (HBO, 9:30 p.m.).
The city wants to dig up the yard on “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) and frank is worried they’ll find Aunt Ginger’s remains, which he buried there.
Shouldn’t the “Gypsy Sisters” (TLC, 8 and 9 p.m.) be recruited to join “Bad Girls Club”?
The NBA All Star Game (TNT, 8 p.m.) promises brand name starters in Houston.
Rumplestiltskin has a problem on a new “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
MGM films from the 1960s that got Oscar wins or nominations are featured on Turner Classic Movies, with “Doctor Zhivago” (8 p.m.), “A Patch of Blue” (11:30 p.m.), “Blow-Up” (1:30 a.m.) and “Far from the Madding Crowd” (3:30 a.m.).
Hockey today includes the network double header Pittsburgh at Buffalo (NBC, noon) and Los Angeles at Chicago (NBC, 3:30 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Holy Cross at American (CBS Sports, noon), Ohio State at Wisconsin (CBS, 1 p.m.), Louisville at South Florida (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Miami at Clemson (ESPNU, 6 p.m.) and Wichita State at Illinois State (ESPNU, 8 p.m.).
In women’s games: DePaul at Louisville (ESPNU, 1:30 p.m.), Temple at Saint Joseph’s (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Stanford at UCLA (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m.), UNLV at San Diego State (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.) and Maryland at Virginia (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Reps. Paul Ryan and Joaquin Castro, Newt Gingrich, former Romney adviser Stuart Stevens, Ben Carson, director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. CBS: McDonough, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington; former Gov. Haley Barbour, Newark Mayor Cory Booker. NBC: Sen. John McCain, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, california Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Alex Castellanos. CNN: Sens. Chuck Schumer, John Barrasso and Jack Reed, Rep. Mike Rogers. Fox News: Sens. Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul, Karl Rove, Bob Woodward, Kimberley Strassel.