TV Notes: Seth MacFarlane debuts as Oscars host
Don’t miss
85TH ACADEMY AWARDS: Irreverent “Family Guy” goofball Seth MacFarlane makes his Oscars-hosting debut as Hollywood holds its annual orgy of self-indulgence. “Lincoln” leads the field of celebrated films with 12 nominations, but keep an eye on “Argo.” As for the telecast, producers are promising plenty of star power and glitzy production numbers. We just want them to promise to finish on time. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC.
Other bets
SUNDAY: Lena Dunham may be gracing the covers of magazines everywhere, but her character on “Girls” still leads a much less glamorous life. Tonight, she makes a road trip with Jessa (Jemima Kirke) to meet her pal’s very odd father and his new-age girlfriend. 9 p.m., HBO.
SUNDAY: Now that the evil Governor (David Morrissey) has declared war on “The Walking Dead,” we’re eager to see if Rick (Andrew Lincoln) can get his head back in the game and rally the troops. 9 p.m., AMC.
MONDAY: On “Bones,” the usually by-the-book Brennan (Emily Deschanel) is now thinking outside the box, thanks to the influence of an eccentric intern (Brian Klugman). But she may be taking things too far when she seriously considers the possibility of time travel. 8 p.m., Fox.
TUESDAY: “Makers: Women Who Make America” is an excellent and ambitious three-hour documentary that chronicles the advancement of women over the past 50 years. Among those featured are Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters. 7 p.m., KSPS; 8 p.m., KCDT.
TUESDAY: Red-hot “Sherlock” hunk Benedict Cumberbatch headlines “Parade’s End,” a sweeping, five-part miniseries that serves up a juicy love triangle among the ruins of World War I. Rebecca Hall and Adelaide Clemens also star. 9 p.m., HBO.
TUESDAY: Someone at CBS clearly believes that we just can’t get enough cop shows, so here comes another one: “Golden Boy” charts the rise of a young, ambitious New York police commissioner (Theo James). Also, murders happen. 10 p.m., CBS.
WEDNESDAY: “Battle for the Elephants” is a National Geographic documentary that examines the brutal slaughter of African elephants for their tusks – a practice largely fueled by China’s demand for ivory. 8 p.m., KSPS; 9 p.m., KCDT.
WEDNESDAY: Don’t tell Donald and Daffy, but “Duck Dynasty” is a bona fide cable hit. Season 3 kicks off with an episode that has our bearded quack pack heading off for a camping trip and awaiting the dawn of duck season. 10 p.m., A&E.
THURSDAY: “The Ben Show” is an amusing series that finds funny man Ben Hoffman working toward a new personal goal in each episode. First up: He tries to start a band. 10 p.m., Comedy Central.
FRIDAY: In the delightfully absurd Season 3 finale of “Portlandia,” the city plunges into a blackout crisis after the mayor’s office fails to pay the electric bill. 10 p.m., IFC.