It’s Hockey Night on Hallmark, as the network is the unlikely presenter of a film about Gordie Howe’s middle-aged comeback in the short-lived World Hockey Association playing on the Houston Aeros with his sons in the 1970s.
Michael Shanks of “Stargate SG-1” laces up the skates to play “Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Hall Story” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.) with Kathleen Robertson as Mrs. Howe. The 1970s garb is just gravy.
Hockey fans will probably miss it though, preferring the playoff of Toronto at Boston (CNBC, 7 p.m.), Anaheim at Detroit (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and St. Louis at Los Angeles (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.). This afternoon your correspondent will be at Rangers at Capitals (NBC, 12:30 p.m.).
Whatever its exaggerations, the Howe movie is likely to be more reliable historically than “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” (HBO, 8 p.m.), making its cable debut.
Other movies making their premium cable premiere tonight include the sci fi action film “Looper” (Starz, 9 p.m.) with Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; Lasse Hallstrom’s “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) with Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt; and Oliver Stone’s “Savages” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.) with Blake Lively and Taylor Kitsch.
The big sporting event today is The Kentucky Derby (NBC, 4 p.m.), with the race itself taking place about 6:24 p.m.
In other animal shows, “My Cat From Hell” (Animal Planet, 8 and 9 p.m.) makes way for “America’s Cutest Cat” (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.).
“Orphan Black” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) has been renewed for a second season.
Jack McBrayer and Eliza Dushku are featured on “The Nerdist” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
Comedian Kym Whitley’s travails in caring for her new baby is the basis of the new reality series “Raising Whitley” (OWN, 8 and 8:30 p.m.).
Real estate sales in the Northwest are the focus of new shows tonight with “Buying Alaska” (TLC, 8, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 p.m.) and “Twisted & Listed” (TLC, 10 and 10:30 p.m.) from Seattle.
I’m waiting for infants to be charged with throwing the competition on “Bet on Your Baby” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
It’s the 25th season finale for “Cops” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Weird red, waxy bodies are found in VIctorian Yorkshire on a new “Doctor Who” (BBC America, 8 p.m.).
Something happens to connect “Bombshell” and “Hit List” on “Smash” (NBC, 8 p.m.). (They’re both featured on a struggling show?).
A trio of Busby Berkeley classics play tonight on Turner Classic Movies: “Gold Diggers of 1933” (8 p.m.), “Footlight Parade” (10 p.m.) and the 1933 “42nd Street“ (midnight).
Later comes Derek Jarman’s unconventional 1980 version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” (TCM, 2 a.m.).
Tonight’s Elvis movie is arguably his best one: “Jailhouse Rock” (Encore, 8 p.m.).
Norah Jones plays an old “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Zach Galifianakis, who has proven himself one of the best possible hosts of “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 pm.) in recent years, returns for his third stint (and to promote his third “Hangover” movie). Of Monsters and Men is musical guests. Earlier, the one hour “SNL” repeat is the one hosted by Jennifer Lawrence with The Lumineers.