Stars gather to honor Ron Howard
A constellation of Hollywood royalty gathers for the “Moving Image Salutes Ron Howard” (9 p.m. tonight, Bravo).
Howard introduced himself to many TV viewers as Opie Taylor, the 4-year-old son of a widowed Southern sheriff in the classic “The Andy Griffith Show.” Teen roles in “American Graffiti” and “Happy Days” gave way to Howard’s impressive directing career behind the camera.
He began with small comedies like “Grand Theft Auto” (1977), then took a chance on a TV actor named Tom Hanks in the 1984 comedy “Splash” and earned near-universal acclaim (but no best-directing Oscar) for 1995’s “Apollo 13.”
“Nature” (7 p.m. Sunday, KSPS) goes out to prove that “Life in Death Valley” is not merely an oxymoron; it’s a bit of a miracle. Follow the rich proliferation of plant life, insects and critters that call this broiling neighborhood home sweet home.
Dick Van Dyke and his son Barry return to familiar territory in the cable mystery “Murder 101” (9 p.m. tonight, Hallmark). Dick Van Dyke even plays a doctor in this film, as he did on his CBS series “Diagnosis Murder.”
Christopher Atkins stars in “Cave In: Prehistoric Terror” (9 p.m. tonight, Sci Fi) as a world-class mountain climber and adventurer with a gorgeous wife and a petulant teenage daughter.
Unbeknownst to him, his new “clients” are pathological killers intent on finding buried jewels in an abandoned Swiss mine. And unbeknownst to all but those who watch the first five minutes of this grim movie, that mine is infested with giant, ravenous insects from the dinosaur era.
The first 10 minutes of the film are filled with “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Cheryl Hines serves as executive producer for the bawdy new comedy series “Campus Ladies” (10 p.m. Sunday, Oxygen), about two 40-something mothers who decide to matriculate as freshmen at a large university. “Ladies” unfolds with the actors improvising their way through loosely drawn scripts.
A female take on “Old School” with a little “Weeds” thrown in, “Ladies” has the Betty Crocker types lusting after young students and whipping up brownies with some decidedly illegal ingredients.
The guys from “Miami Ink” (9 p.m. Sunday, TLC) decamp for Hawaii in a special episode. “Ink” returns at 10 p.m. Tuesday for a new nine-episode season.
Series regular Tamera Mowry gets a visit from her twin and “Sister, Sister” co-star Tia when she makes a guest appearance on “Strong Medicine” (9 p.m. Sunday, Lifetime). Dr. Kayla Thornton (Tamera Mowry) is taken aback when her long-estranged sister Keisha (Tia) shows up at the hospital.
Rick Schroder (“NYPD Blue”), who plays Dr. Dylan West on “Strong Medicine,” directs this episode.
Tonight’s highlights
An abused wife (Jennifer Lopez) summons the strength to take on her husband (Billy Campbell) in the 2002 drama “Enough” (8 p.m., CBS).
A minister’s family life provides grist for a lavish soap opera on “The Book of Daniel” (8 p.m., NBC).
Wildcard contenders tangle in NFL playoff action (5 p.m., ABC).
Queen Latifah appears on “Emeril Live” (8 p.m., Food).
Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (10 p.m., CBS): A young girl’s murder haunts a small town.
A school shooting may have racial underpinnings on “Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
A filmmaker (Morgan Spurlock) submits to a monthlong fast-food diet in the 2004 documentary “Super Size Me” (10 p.m., Sundance).
Eva Longoria hosts “Saturday Night Live” (11:30 p.m., NBC), featuring musical guest Korn.
Sunday’s highlights
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS): New York City police accused of being mob hitmen; Howard Stringer of Sony; Olympic skier Bode Miller.
Scheduled on “Dateline” (7 p.m., NBC): an interview with Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson’s mother.
A high school nightmare set to a Springsteen score on “Cold Case” (8 p.m., CBS).
Leo (the late John Spencer) fumbles during the vice presidential debates on “The West Wing” (8 p.m., NBC).
From fear to paternity on “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox).
“Madness of Henry VIII” (5 p.m., National Geographic) profiles the Tudor king’s life of excess.
Phony paternity suits, blackmail and murder on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9 p.m., NBC).
Lynette’s green-eyed monster on “Desperate Housewives” (9 p.m., ABC).
Snowbound in a haunted resort on “Crossing Jordan” (10 p.m., NBC). Sounds like an episode of “Scooby Doo.”
A glance back at the social intrigue on “Grey’s Anatomy” (10 p.m., ABC).