Union address on networks
Tonight’s must-see
State of the Union address, 6 p.m., ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and cable news channels.
In a year of politics and war the networks have been taking news a little more seriously.
All four networks will have follow-ups until 10:30 p.m.; the news channels go until 11. CNN starts its advance coverage at 8, Fox News Channel at 8:55.
An alternative: “Gossip Girl Revealed,” 8-9:30 p.m., CW.
Filled with huge flaws and strengths, “Gossip Girl” has drawn a loyal little audience. CW offers a primer, including interviews with the actors.
They’re gifted people, tackling characters that are smart and interesting, but absurdly exaggerated and unvaried. It’s a mixed blessing.
An alternative II: “In Treatment,” 9:15 p.m., HBO.
Credit HBO for tackling something with depth, detail and human passion.
Each weeknight, we see Gabriel Byrne as an even-keeled psychiatrist. The two-person sessions are low-key, but beautifully written and acted.
In the opener, Melissa George plays a young woman whose social-sexual world has crumbled. It’s a brilliant and wrenching performance.
Other choices include
“The Harlem Globetrotters,” 8-9 p.m., MyNetwork TV. It’s been 14 years since the Globetrotters had a primetime special. Here’s a game with the Washington Generals (hint, bet on the ‘Trotters), plus memories from Curly Neal, Sweet Lou Dunbar and Tex Harrison.
“Dance War” 8 p.m. (ABC), “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” 8 p.m. (Fox) and “American Gladiators” 9 p.m. (NBC). Tentative plans call for new rounds of “Gladiators” and “Dance War” and a “Terminator” rerun.
“Cities of the Underworld” season-opener, 9 p.m., History Channel. Under the current buildings of Jerusalem, there are memories of past millennia. Anthropologists have found elaborate basements and tunnels and even a waterway, created during centuries of invasions. It’s a fascinating hour.
“American Experience: Mary Pickford,” 9-10:30 p.m., PBS (KSPS Channel 7). When her father died, Gladys Smith became “Baby Gladys,” a 4-year-old Canadian actress. She evolved into movie star Mary Pickford. She and husband Douglas Fairbanks created a spectacular estate and started United Artists. Here’s a rerun of a 2005 portrait.
“Samantha Who” 9 p.m. (ABC), Samantha learns that a former boyfriend has a restraining order against her.