TV Best Bets

Sunday, Feb. 26: Jimmy Kimmel Hosts the 89th (And Final?) Academy Awards

ABC/Jeff Lipsky

All Times Eastern.

Sunday, Feb. 26

89th Academy Awards
ABC, 7pm Live
“I am honored to have been chosen to host the 89th and final Oscars,” Jimmy Kimmel joked after accepting one of the industry’s most daunting and criticized jobs. The 89th Academy Awards ceremony airs live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood tonight, following live red carpet coverage.

College Basketball
CBS, beginning at 2pm Live

The Syracuse Orange head to the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., for an ACC meeting with the Louisville Cardinals. The second game in the CBS college basketball doubleheader comes from the Big Ten, with Wisconsin at Michigan State.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Daytona 500
FOX, 2pm
Live
The biggest race on the NASCAR calendar is also its first points race of the season: the “Great American Race,” the Daytona 500 from Daytona International Speedway. Along with Monster Energy becoming the new Cup Series title sponsor, other big changes have Stewart-Haas Racing switching from Chevy to Ford and Clint Bowyer replacing retired Tony Stewart in the No. 14. Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns to action after concussion-like symptoms ended his 2016 season early, and Jimmie Johnson begins his quest for an all-time record eighth Cup Series championship.

ALSO SEE: 2017 NASCAR TV Schedules on FOX Sports and NBC Sports

The Walking Dead: “Hostiles and Calamities”
AMC, 9pm
An Alexandrian navigates the confusing and terrifying world within the Saviors’ compound.

When Calls the Heart: “Heart of Truth”
Hallmark Channel, 9pm
When Robert tells a lie about seeing a bear and becomes a town hero, Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) has to coax the truth from him.

Monday, Feb. 27

The Voice: “Blind Auditions Premiere, Night 1”
NBC, 8pm
Season Premiere!
Coaches Alicia Keys, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani all vie to discover and coach the next singing phenomenon from the country’s best vocalists in the Season 12 blind auditions. The vocalists compete to be selected by one of the coaches and fight for a chance to win the title of “The Voice.”

When We Rise: “Part I”
ABC, 9pm
New Miniseries!
This eight-hour miniseries chronicles the personal and political struggles of those paramount to the gay rights movement. The series was written and created by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) and stars Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Michael K. Williams and Ivory Aquino. Part II airs Wed. March 1.

Superior Donuts: “Takin’ It to the Streets”
CBS, 9pm
When Franco (Jermaine Fowler) and Sweatpants (Rell Battle) discover their new landlord, Fawz (Maz Jobrani), wants to convert their apartment building into luxury condos, they decide to organize a protest in the new episode “Takin’ It to the Streets.”

Africa’s Great Civilizations
PBS, 9pm
New Series!
Beginning with Africa’s ancient history as the cradle of mankind, this documentary series with Henry Louis Gates Jr. brings to life the epic stories of both little-known and celebrated African kingdoms and cultures.

HUMANS
AMC, 10pm
Athena’s (Carrie-Anne Moss) secret is revealed. Niska’s (Emily Berrington) consciousness assessments begin. Mia (Gemma Chan) makes a major decision when the Synths are forced to leave their hideout.

Scorpion: “Don’t Burst My Bubble”
CBS, 10pm
Following a severe storm, Happy’s (Jadyn Wong) friend Ada (guest star Mary Mouser), who lives in a sterile bubble to protect her compromised immune system, is left with dangerous debris on the verge of puncturing the structure. Team Scorpion works to safely move Ada to a more secure location without risking her life in the new episode “Don’t Burst My Bubble.”

Tickled
HBO, 10pm
This cautionary tale follows New Zealand TV journalists David Farrier and Dylan Reeve as they delve into the world of competitive endurance tickling (yes, it’s a thing), which spawned an online “tickling video” empire — and an ensuing miasma of cyberbullying and litigiousness. Despite its unusual subject matter, Tickled spotlights just how easy it is to ruin people’s lives without consequence in the anonymity of the online world.

Taken
NBC, 10pm
New Series!
This new series from Luc Besson, who cowrote and -produced the original Taken films, serves as a prequel to the movies. A young Bryan Mills — Liam Neeson’s character in the films, here played by Clive Standen — is recruited by the CIA after he saves a train full of innocent people from a team of gunmen. A personal link to one of the train passengers who did not survive the attack provides motivation for Mills to develop the skill set needed to help others stay alive. Jennifer Beals costars.

The High Court
Comedy Central, 12am (late-night)
New Series!

Here’s a new twist to courtroom shows like Judge Judy and The People’s Court: Take real people with real legal cases and have their dispute settled by affable stoner Doug Benson, who may or may not be under the influence of marijuana.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

NHL Hockey: Colorado at Philadelphia
NBCSN, 7pm Live

Matt Duchene and the Colorado Avalanche head to Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center for a Tuesday night game against Claude Giroux and the Flyers.

Fresh Off the Boat: “Living While Eddie”
ABC, 8pm
Jessica (Constance Wu) accuses Eddie (Hudson Yang) when her precious morning papaya goes missing and the dishwasher was run rather than just used as a drying rack. When a record store manager also accuses him of stealing a CD, she realizes Eddie has other reasons for his actions. Meanwhile, Louis (Randall Park) and Emery (Forrest Wheeler) are thrilled when a TV crew arrives to shoot an infomercial at Cattleman’s Ranch.

New Girl: “Young Adult”
FOX, 8pm
When Jess (Zooey Deschanel) worries that she may not be a cool enough principal, she recruits Nick (Jake Johnson) and his novel, “The Pepperwood Chronicles,” to help make her popular with the students.

The Voice: “Blind Auditions Premiere, Night 2”
NBC, 8pm
The blind auditions continue as superstar coaches Alicia Keys, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani all vie to discover and coach the next singing phenomenon from the country’s best vocalists.

The Real O’Neals: “The Real Heartbreak”
ABC, 8:30pm
Devastated by his break-up with Brett (Sean Grandillo), Kenny (Noah Galvin) tags along with Pat (Jay R. Ferguson) and Jimmy (Matt Shively) to a Lonely Hearts happy hour, where he inadvertently steals the show. Meanwhile, Eileen (Martha Plimpton) shuns the usual Valentine’s Day traditions — until a chance encounter changes her mind.

Presidential Address to the Joint Session of Congress
All Broadcast Networks, 9pm Live
Tonight, watch network coverage of President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress. Instead of a formal State of the Union address, newly inaugurated presidents often deliver this type of speech, and each network will offer its own anchors and analysis.

Face Off: All Stars: “Wasteland Warriors”
Syfy, 9pm
The All-Stars strap in for the ride of their lives as they create dystopian characters inspired by post-apocalyptic vehicles for this week’s elimination challenge.

Who Killed Jane Doe?
Investigation Discovery, 10pm
New Series!
Behind the discovery of every Jane Doe are two parallel stories: that of the detectives puzzling out her identity and how she died, and that of her family who know very well who she is, but who have lost her, now forever. By weaving the two stories together, this series embarks on a unique journey of discovery, loss, mystery and resolution.

Wednesday, March 1

National Treasure
Hulu
New Series!
This acclaimed, four-episode drama makes its U.S. debut on Hulu. Robbie Coltrane stars as long-popular British comedian Paul Finchley, a bona fide “national treasure.” When accusations of sexual abuse dating back years are lodged against Finchley, the fallout throws his life, and the lives of his family, into chaos. Julie Walters, Andrea Riseborough and Tim McInnerny also star.

The Goldbergs: “The Kara-te Kid”
ABC, 8pm
Inspired by the Karate Kid films, Adam (Sean Giambrone) and the other Adam Goldberg (Oliver Cooper) decide to settle their long-running feud with a karate match. Barry (Troy Gentile) and Adam seek training from Uncle Marvin (Dan Fogler), but the only thing they learn is how to clean an apartment. Meanwhile, Erica (Hayley Orrantia) and Geoff (Sam Lerner) face some realizations when their relationship becomes public.

Hunted: “The Final Escape”
CBS, 8pm
Season Finale!
With the Hunters hot on their trails, the remaining fugitive teams make their getaway plan to win the $250,000 grand prize in the season finale “The Final Escape.”

Catfish: The TV Show
MTV, 8pm
Season Premiere!
Season 6 premieres with new stories of complex relationships and the lies that people tell when they’re looking for love. Cohosts Nev Schulman and Max Joseph continue to uncover the mysteries of online dating and expose the effects of dishonesty.

Chicago Fire: “Deathtrap”
NBC, 8pm
Firehouse 51 responds to the scene of a harrowing blaze that endangers the lives of many, including a member of the Chicago family. This episode is part of a Chicago series crossover that continues into tonight’s Chicago P.D. and the preview of new series Chicago Justice.

When We Rise: “Part II”
ABC, 9pm
The chronicle of America’s gay rights movement continues with more struggle-filled stories of the movement’s leaders. The powerful series stars Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Michael K. Williams and Ivory Aquino and boasts special guest stars including Henry Czerny, Whoopi Goldberg, Arliss Howard, Sam Jaeger, T.R. Knight, Mary McCormack, Kevin McHale, Rosie O’Donnell, Denis O’Hare, Pauley Perrette, David Hyde Pierce, Richard Schiff, Phylicia Rashad, Rob Reiner and William Sadler.

Chicago P.D.: “Emotional Proximity”
NBC, 9pm
Tonight’s Chicago crossover event continues. Olinsky’s (Elias Koteas) daughter remains in critical condition following a massive fire, leaving Intelligence on edge, but more determined than ever to track down the suspect. Voight (Jason Beghe) opens up the case, knowing that he has Stone (guest star Philip Winchester) and his team’s full support in the investigation, and all of Firehouse 51 behind him to examine potential origins of the fire.

The Magicians: “The Cock Barrens”
Syfy, 9pm
Quentin (Jason Ralph) strives to help a friend who is suffering. Eliot (Hale Appleman) and Margo’s (Summer Bishil) negotiations take a shocking turn. Julia (Stella Maeve) and Kady (Jade Tailor) discover a possible key to stopping Reynard.

Doubt: “Poison Prize”
CBS, 10pm
In the new episode “Poison Prize,” Sadie (Katherine Heigl) confronts Billy (Steven Pasquale) about new evidence in the case against him and is disappointed when his explanation is not what she expected.

The Deed
CNBC, 10pm
New Series!
In this series, two savvy multimillionaire real estate moguls — Sidney Torres and Sean Conlon — who, between them, have done over half a billion dollars in property deals, come to the aid of struggling property investors in dire need of help. The projects are failing, and the investors are on the brink of financial ruin. Torres and Conlon will use their own money to infuse the projects with cash, and offer their years of expertise to help people faced with losing everything.

UConn: The March to Madness
HBO, 10pm
Season Premiere!
This unscripted series chronicles the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team’s 2016-17 season as the Huskies pursue a fifth consecutive national championship. Scheduled to run through the conclusion of the Huskies’ season, the show features exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, offering a unique look at the personalities who shape this powerhouse program.

Bringing Up Ballers
Lifetime, 10pm
New Series!
Lifetime’s new unscripted series features five Chicago-area entrepreneurs whose kids are some of America’s most elite young basketball players. Bringing Up Ballers follows these feisty moms over six episodes as they stop at nothing to ensure that their businesses are successful and their boys are on track to make it to the NBA.

Chicago Justice: “Fake”
NBC, 10pm
Sneak Peek!
Tonight’s Chicago crossover event concludes with a sneak peek of the latest addition to the franchise (the series will normally air on Sundays). Firehouse 51 responded to a horrific warehouse fire that killed 39 people. This led the Chicago P.D. on a manhunt for the suspect. Now, with someone in custody for both arson and multiple murders, it is up to Peter Stone (Philip Winchester) and his team, including lead investigator Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda), to step in to bring some peace and resolution to so many families and friends of those lost — including one very close to home.

TIME: The Kalief Browder Story
Spike, 10pm
New Series!
This six-part documentary series tells the horrific story of Kalief Browder, a young, African-American student who spent an unthinkable three years in jail on Rikers Island without ever being convicted of a crime. The case never went to trial and the charges were ultimately dropped. After his release from Rikers Island, he took his own life. His story and the challenges it poses to our understanding of American freedoms are at the heart of the event series, which features exclusive interviews from a wide range of those connected to the story, from politicians to close friends and family members to social reformers.

The Expanse: “Paradigm Shift”
Syfy, 10pm
Earth and Mars search for answers in the aftermath of the asteroid collision.

Conan Without Borders: Made in Mexico
TBS, 10pm
With all of the negative news about the current state of the U.S.-Mexico relationship, Conan O’Brien decided to strike a positive note and headed to Mexico City, where he outsourced his show by shooting his latest Conan Without Borders special with the help of an all-Mexican staff, crew, guests and studio audience.

Suits: “Character and Fitness”
USA Network, 10pm
Season Finale!
Mike (Patrick J. Adams) needs Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Rachel’s (Meghan Markle) help to overcome an impossible obstacle, or his dream of becoming a real lawyer is over. Meanwhile, Donna’s (Sarah Rafferty) new venture hits a snag, while Louis (Rick Hoffman) tries to patch things up with Tara (Carly Pope).

Thursday, March 2

The Voice: “Blind Auditions Premiere, Night 3”
NBC, 8pm
The blind auditions conclude, with superstar coaches Alicia Keys, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani vying to discover and coach the next singing phenomenon from the country’s best vocalists.

NBA Basketball
TNT, beginning at 8pm Live
This Thursday night NBA doubleheader on TNT has the Golden State Warriors at the Chicago Bulls, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Great Indoors: “Relationship Jack”
CBS, 8:30pm
When Jack (Joel McHale) fixates on his relationship with Rachel (guest star Maggie Lawson) to the detriment of the magazine and his friends, Eddie (Chris Williams) and Roland (Stephen Fry) try to break him of his obsession habit in the new episode “Relationship Jack.”

60 Days In: Atlanta
A&E, 9pm
Season Premiere!
A&E’s series 60 Days In, which put undercover participants in an Indiana jail to gain a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system, moves to Atlanta’s Fulton County Jail for two new seasons, in 60 Days In: Atlanta. The undercover participants for Season 3 include a special education teacher, a former corrections officer, a man who wants to fight discrimination in the prison system and a Marine who wants to pursue a career in law enforcement.

When We Rise: “Part III”
ABC, 9pm
ABC’s four-night miniseries from Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black continues, weaving together the harrowing, hopeful journeys of real pioneering members of an evolving U.S. civil rights movement. As the group, along with their friends and associates, fought their own battles with self-identity and self-acceptance, their personal struggles and intertwined causes forged an impactful family and ushered in a new era of social justice. The miniseries wraps up Friday night.

My Kitchen Rules: “Champion Is Crowned”
FOX, 9pm
Season Finale!
Mother-son duo Lance and Diane face off against Andrew Dice Clay and wife Valerie in a showdown where each pair is asked to prepare a four-course meal for a panel of six world-renowned chefs, and all of the former contestants.

Chicago Med: “Lose Yourself”
NBC, 9pm
It’s a miracle when a trauma patient survives the trip to the hospital, putting the pressure on Dr. Rhodes (Colin Donnell) to keep the man alive. Meanwhile, Dr. Choi (Brian Tee) and Dr. Manning (Torrey DeVitto) have difficulty diagnosing the location of infection in a paralyzed patient.

Training Day: “Wages of Sin”
CBS, 10pm
Deputy Chief Lockhart (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) opens an internal investigation into a past shooting that could cost Frank (Bill Paxton) his badge and freedom in the new episode “Wages of Sin.”

Baskets: “Denver”
FX, 10pm
Does a Denver omelet taste better in Denver? Christine (Louie Anderson) finds out the answer in the new episode “Denver.”

The Blacklist: Redemption: “Kevin Jensen”
NBC, 10pm
When an American journalist and close family friend of Scottie (Famke Janssen) is falsely arrested for espionage in a dangerous foreign country, the Halcyon team mounts a last-ditch effort to rescue him before time runs out.

Friday, March 3

The Simpsons
FXX, beginning at 6pm
Tonight’s 12-episode stunt of The Simpsons on FXX includes classics like “El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Our Homer)” with guest voice Johnny Cash, as well as recent memorable episodes like the “Simpsorama” crossover with Futurama.

The Vampire Diaries: “We’re Planning a June Wedding”
The CW, 8pm
A wedding is quickly planned in order for Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) to lure a dangerous enemy out into the open. This looming threat puts the fate of Mystic Falls in imminent danger, and must be destroyed.

Iron Man 3
FX, 8pm
In this 2013 sequel, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) must go up against a deadly new foe known only as the Mandarin, a terrorist who seems bent on throwing the world into chaos. Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Kingsley also star.

Grimm: “Tree People”
NBC, 8pm
Nick (David Giuntoli), Hank (Russell Hornsby) and Wu (Reggie Lee) are called to the scene of the crime where a man claims his friend was consumed by a tree-like figure.

Cesar Millan’s Dog Nation
Nat Geo Wild, 9pm
New Series!
Cesar Millan and son Andre hit the road in this new series, crisscrossing the United States to work with nonprofit organizations and dog lovers who are helping to save millions of dogs around the country.

When We Rise: “Part IV”
ABC, 9pm
ABC’s powerful miniseries chronicling the personal and political struggles of America’s gay rights movement comes to a close tonight.

Emerald City: “No Place Like Home”
NBC, 9pm
Season Finale!
Tip (Jordan Loughran) and West (Ana Ularu) arrive in Emerald City seeking vengeance. With a renewed confidence, Dorothy (Adria Arjona) faces off against the Wizard (Vincent D’Onofrio) and fights to save Oz from his oppressive reign. Meanwhile, Glinda (Joely Richardson) brings her power to the battlefield as the threat of the Beast Forever looms.

“Star Wars” Marathon
TNT, 11pm
TNT begins a Star Wars weekend movie marathon of sorts with 1999’s The Phantom Menace and 2002’s Attack of the Clones tonight. On Saturday, the marathon continues with replays of these films, as well as Revenge of the Sith (2005), A New Hope (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980). On Sunday, there are repeat airings of Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and the marathon concludes with a fan favorite — 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Saturday, March 4

Ransom: “Girl on a Train”
CBS, 8pm
In the new episode “Girl on a Train,” a couple in France turns to Eric (Luke Roberts) and his team to rescue their daughter who was abducted from a train and may have been sold into human trafficking.

Custody
Lifetime, 8pm
Original Film!
Golden Globe winner Viola Davis executive produces and stars in a riveting tale of three women whose lives intersect in family court. Davis plays a veteran judge, Academy Award nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno plays a mother fighting to retain custody of her children, and Nashville’s Hayden Panettiere plays her determined young lawyer. Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Tony Shalhoub also star in the film written and directed by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner James Lapine (Into the Woods).

Say Yes to the Dress
TLC, 8pm
Season Premiere!
Season 15 debuts on a new night, bringing more brides and more drama to the Kleinfeld floor for a celebration of 10 years of airing on TLC. Some highlights this season include singer Elle King coming in to find her perfect rocker-chic gown, and outspoken reality star Omarosa searching for her perfect, but not white, wedding dress. As a pairing for the 10-year anniversary, TLC will be launching Say Yes to the Dress UK following these episodes, giving viewers a dose of bridal magic from across the pond.

Planet Earth II: “Jungles”
BBC America, 9pm
This episode, “Jungles,” reveals a magical world of surprise, drama and unforgettable wild characters. See strange jungle dolphins that swim among the trees of Brazil, ninja frogs that fight huge wasps in Costa Rica and glow-in-the-dark creatures never before filmed.

Boxing: Thurman vs. Garcia
CBS, 9pm Live
The highly anticipated unification showdown between unbeaten welterweight world champions Keith “One Time” Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) and Danny “Swift” Garcia (33-0, 19 KOs) will headline Showtime Championship Boxing on CBS, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Legion” Marathon
FX, beginning at 10pm
Catch up on FX’s mind-bending new series Legion with back-to-back airings of the first four episodes tonight.