TV Best Bets

Tuesday, Feb. 19: ‘American Masters’ Looks at the Life and Career of Sammy Davis Jr.

Courtesy of The Estate of Altovise Davis

All Times Eastern.

Tuesday, Feb. 19

American Masters: “Sammy Davis Jr.”
PBS, 9pm

Explore the entertainer’s vast talent and journey for identity through the shifting tides of civil rights and racial progress during 20th-century America. Features Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and clips from Davis’ TV, film and concert performances.

NCIS: “Once Upon a Tim”
CBS, 8pm

McGee (Sean Murray) reluctantly visits his high school after the unique computer password he used as a teenager is linked to the murder of a defense contractor in the new episode “Once Upon a Tim.”

Ellen’s Game of Games: “Danger Word War Z”
NBC, 8pm

Contestants play “Dizzy Dash,” “Knockin’ Boots,” “Danger Word” and “Blindfolded Musical Chairs.” The winner of each of the first four rounds advances to “Know or Go,” and the person who wins that game advances to “Hot Hands” for a chance to win a cash prize.

Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates Jr.: “No Laughing Matter”
PBS, 8pm

Host Henry Louis Gates Jr. shows comedians Seth Meyers, Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman that their family trees are filled with people whose struggles laid the groundwork for their success. Gates also reveals to each one news of an unexpected DNA cousin.

black-ish: “Son of a Pitch”
ABC, 9pm

Junior (Marcus Scribner) is working at Stevens & Lido as an intern and takes some time to find his footing, but when he offers an idea during a pitch meeting, Dre (Anthony Anderson) immediately puts him in his place. Meanwhile, Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) has a meeting with one of Kyra’s (Quvenzhané Wallis) teachers and learns that she has an aptitude for chemistry, but Kyra doesn’t want to transfer to a magnet school.

FBI: “Exposed”
CBS, 9pm

In the new episode “Exposed,” after an investigative journalist is murdered, the team uncovers information linking the suspect to past cases.

This Is Us: “Our Little Island Girl”
NBC, 9pm

Beth’s (Susan Kelechi Watson) trip home to care for her mother sparks an unexpected realization.

The Rookie: “Caught Stealing”
ABC, 10pm

The rookies become the prime suspects after it is discovered that a large sum of money used in a drug bust has gone missing.

NCIS: New Orleans: “Conspiracy Theories”
CBS, 10pm

In the new episode “Conspiracy Theories,” Pride (Scott Bakula) and the NCIS team reunite with conspiracy journalist Oliver Crane (guest star Mark Gessner) after the source for his latest vigilante story is murdered.

Project Blue Book: “The Scoutmaster”
History, 10pm

After a scoutmaster vanishes when he and his troop witness a strange craft hovering in the woods, Hynek (Aidan Gillen) is sent to investigate while Quinn (Michael Malarkey) is pulled into a rogue mission for Gen. Harding (Neal McDonough). The episode is inspired by the Sonny DesVergers Scoutmaster UFO case from the real-life Project Blue Book.

My Great Big Live Wedding With David Tutera
Lifetime, 10pm Live

David Tutera helps young couple Chris Singleton and Mariana De Andrade prove that love is stronger than hate. After Chris’ beloved mother was killed during the Charleston church shooting, he publicly forgave the shooter the next day. Following the death of Chris’ father, the pair are raising Chris’ two younger siblings while he plays baseball for the Chicago Cubs’ minor league affiliate. David plans to hit their wedding out of the park.

New Amsterdam: “The Foresaken”
NBC, 10pm

Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) struggles when a case hits too close to home, and Iggy (Tyler Labine) uncovers a patient’s surprising past. Meanwhile, Floyd (Jocko Sims) makes progress in his personal life after some difficult news.

Miracle Workers: “13 Days”
TBS, 10:30pm

The second episode of TBS’ fun new series finds God (the perfectly cast Steve Buscemi) asking Sanjay (Karan Soni) to smite a nonbeliever, while Craig (Daniel Radcliffe) and Eliza (Geraldine Viswanathan) realize they have their work cut out for them.

Many Sides of Jane: “Ashley/Jane’s Beautiful Brain”
A&E, 11pm
Series Finale!

Back-to-back episodes air tonight. In the first, a self-destructive part named Ashley emerges. Then, in “Jane’s Beautiful Brain,” Jane’s shame and embarrassment over having younger parts is challenged when she travels to Boston to participate in an experiment — requiring help from her 10-year-old part, Beth.

Wednesday, Feb. 20

The Goldbergs: “Highlander Club”
ABC, 8pm

Despite Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) wanting the two boys to bond, Adam (Sean Giambrone) and Johnny Atkins (Sean Marquette) compete to be the head of the Highlander Club at school. Meanwhile, Barry (Troy Gentile) tries to avoid the same fate of Murray (Jeff Garlin): falling out of touch with his high school friends.

Survivor: Edge of Extinction
CBS, 8pm
Season Premiere!
“For our 38th season, a new group of players will take on the greatest social experiment ever created, and a new layer to the game will push them further than ever before,” says Survivor executive producer and host Jeff Probst. The new batch of castaways includes four Survivor veterans — Kelley Wentworth, Joe “Joey Amazing” Anglim, Aubry Bracco and David Wright — going up against 14 newcomers.

Chicago Med: “We Hold These Truths”
NBC, 8pm

After witnessing a pickup truck plow through a street fair, Natalie (Torrey DeVitto) and Maggie (Marlyne Barrett) are forced to make some tough decisions on the fly. Meanwhile, the doctors and nurses of Chicago Med find themselves on high alert with the influx of patients arriving in need of aid, and Dr. Charles’ (Oliver Platt) ex-wife comes to town with news.

Nature: “Living Volcanoes”
PBS, 8pm

Uncover the variety of human and natural activity that occurs on the slopes of active volcanoes. See the surprising number of animals that survive and thrive alongside these fiery natural phenomena.

Naked Mole Rats
Smithsonian Channel, 8pm

Despite its pink, wrinkly, nearly hairless appearance, the naked mole rat is among the most enviable creatures. Researchers around the world are puzzled by their incredibly long life spans, inability to get sick and almost total imperviousness to pain. This special looks at the remarkable subterranean rodents and the researchers who hope to unlock their secrets.

Modern Family: “SuperShowerBabyBowl”
ABC, 9pm

Jay (Ed O’Neill) is hosting a Super Bowl party and Claire (Julie Bowen) is hosting a baby shower for Haley (Sarah Hyland) — both at Jay’s house. What could go wrong?

College Basketball: North Carolina at Duke
ESPN, 9pm Live

Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., will be rocking as the North Carolina Tar Heels take on the Duke Blue Devils in another chapter of college basketball’s fiercest rivalry.

The Masked Singer: “Semifinals: Double Unmasking”
FOX, 9pm

Two more celebrities are unmasked in the semifinals, and Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson serves as a guest panelist.

Chicago Fire: “What I Saw”
NBC, 9pm

In the first part of a crossover with Chicago P.D., a spate of robberies comes to light after a firehouse lockbox key goes missing. CPD’s Voight (Jason Beghe) has suspicions that a firefighter may be involved, and with Boden’s (Eamonn Walker) support, he recruits Cruz (Joe Minoso) to go undercover and help sniff out any suspicious activity.

NOVA: “The Next Pompeii”
PBS, 9pm

Discover Campi Flegrei, a lesser-known volcano in the shadow of Vesuvius. If it erupts, millions of lives could be at risk. Meet the scientists exploring its geology and developing a warning system to prevent Naples from becoming the next Pompeii.

The Magicians: “Escape From the Happy Place”
Syfy, 9pm

Alice (Olivia Taylor Dudley) and Quentin (Jason Ralph) confront a dog.

You’re the Worst: “Zero Eggplants”
FXX, 10pm

Gretchen (Aya Cash) and Jimmy (Chris Geere) make “couple friends” in the new episode “Zero Eggplants.”

Chicago P.D.: “Good Men”
NBC, 10pm

In the second and concluding part of a crossover with Chicago Fire, Intelligence uses information from Chicago Fire’s Cruz (Joe Minoso) to chase down the robbery crew that’s been using the lockbox key. Voight (Jason Beghe) is under pressure to bring the crew to justice without tarnishing the reputation of a murdered firefighter who might have been involved.

Deadly Class: “Stigmata Martyr”
Syfy, 10pm

Marcus (Benjamin Wadsworth) and Maria (Maria Gabriela de Faria), now secretly dating, have to deal with the ramifications of Chico’s (Michel Duval) death.

Documentary Now!
IFC, 11pm
Season Premiere!

The Emmy-nominated comedy series that lovingly pays homage to the world of documentaries kicks off Season 3 tonight with the two-part mockumentary “Batsh*t Valley.” Michael Keaton and Owen Wilson star in this cult-themed episode inspired by the documentary series Wild Wild Country and the 2012 feature documentary The Source Family. Other episodes throughout the season will include more high-profile stars, including Cate Blanchett, Michael C. Hall and Natasha Lyonne. Helen Mirren returns as host.

Thursday, Feb. 21

Grey’s Anatomy: “I Want a New Drug”
ABC, 8pm

While Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) breaks a hospital record, the rest of the doctors are sent scrambling in the wake of a massive overdose within the community. Meanwhile, Jackson (Jesse Williams) wants to take a reluctant Maggie (Kelly McCreary) camping, and Levi (Jake Borelli) and Nico’s (Alex Landi) relationship continues to develop.

Top Chef: “Kentucky Farewell”
Bravo, 8pm

All season the chefs have been growing gardens at their Kentucky estate. Tom ambushes the sleeping chefs and challenges them to make a dish focused on their garden harvest. Then, for the last elimination challenge in Kentucky, the chefs bid on luxury ingredients for dishes to show gratitude to their culinary mentors. Chefs Bryan Voltaggio, Gavin Kaysen and more join the judges to see who deserves to go to Macau for the finals.

The Big Bang Theory: “The D&D Vortex”
CBS, 8pm
Guest Star Alert!

Wil Wheaton, William Shatner, Joe Manganiello, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Smith guest-star in the new episode “The D&D Vortex,” in which the gang is determined to crash Wheaton’s celebrity Dungeons & Dragons game.

Star Trek Into Darkness
FX, 8pm

Director J.J. Abrams’ second installment of his Star Trek reboot finds the crew of the Enterprise hunting a former Federation member who has turned terrorist. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch star.

A Million Little Things: “the rosary”
ABC, 9pm

As her friends anxiously await the outcome of Maggie’s (Allison Miller) surgery, an unexpected arrival from her mother (guest star Melora Hardin) leads to a tense first meeting with Gary (James Roday).

Mom: “Skippy and the Knowledge Hole”
CBS, 9pm

Christy (Anna Faris) learns that it’s really hard to quit smoking in the new episode “Skippy and the Knowledge Hole.”

Game of Clones
MTV, 9pm
New Series!

Throughout eight episodes of this new series, MTV’s most eligible reality stars are given the opportunity to date seven clones of their celebrity crush. They’re forced to look beyond each nearly identical face in hope of finding their perfect match. Through a series of compatibility tests, dates and more, each clone strives to stand out from the rest during this radical dating experience.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: “The Honeypot”
NBC, 9pm

Jake (Andy Samberg) and Holt (Andre Braugher) clash over the merits of a new hire in the 99th precinct. Terry (Terry Crews), Amy (Melissa Fumero), Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) and Charles (Joe Lo Truglio) try to do something about the cluttered bullpen.

Fam: “Drunk in Love”
CBS, 9:30pm

In the new episode “Drunk in Love,” Clem (Nina Dobrev) and Nick (Tone Bell) are both shocked to learn that the other has been keeping an embarrassing secret about how they met.

Will & Grace: “The Pursuit of Happiness”
NBC, 9:30pm

Grace (Debra Messing) is enlisted by Malcolm (guest star Alec Baldwin) to help him win back Karen’s (Megan Mullally) affections. Will’s (Eric McCormack) flirtation with his coworker, Paul (guest star Barrett Foa), takes a turn when details about Paul’s home life put Will in an ethical dilemma. And Jack’s (Sean Hayes) run-in with Zusanna (guest star Andrea Martin), the sister of his former acting teacher, reignites his passion for performing.

Beat Bobby Flay: “Don’t Drop the Beat (Bobby)!”
Food Network, 10pm
Iron Chef Michael Symon and actress Brooke Shields band together to take Bobby Flay down. With chef and restaurateur Carla Pellegrino and Atlanta’s Idris Muhammad on their side, Bobby will be singing a different tune.

Truck Night in America: “Battle of the Busch Brothers”
History, 10pm

NASCAR champions Kyle and Kurt Busch bring their driving skills — and trucks — in the hopes of winning $10,000 for charity. But first, these professional racecar drivers need to compete against amateur drivers and survive the Car Pull and Travel Trailer for a shot at the Green Hell.

Flack
Pop, 10pm
New Series!

Anna Paquin stars in this six-episode series as a London-based American publicist who is an expert at solving the problems of her high-profile clientele, but whose own personal life is a mess. Sophie Okonedo, Lydia Wilson and Rebecca Benson also star in the drama, with Bradley Whitford as an ill-behaved American movie star.

Desus & Mero
Showtime, 11pm
New Series!
Podcasting duo Desus Nice and The Kid Mero host Showtime’s first ever weekly late-night talk show, covering pop culture, politics and more.

Friday, Feb. 22

Paddleton
Netflix
Original Film!

An unlikely friendship between two misfit neighbors becomes an unexpectedly emotional journey when the younger man is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Mark Duplass and Ray Romano star.

Fresh Off the Boat: “Be a Man”
ABC, 8pm

Jessica (Constance Wu) drives Principal Hunter (guest star David Goldman) crazy at Evan’s (Ian Chen) school when she declares that she’s “shadow principal” and follows him around for a day to learn about his job. When she finds out her perfect son Evan has been caught acting out, she immediately blames Eddie’s (Hudson Yang) bad influence, but there’s more to it than that.

MacGyver: “Lidar + Rogues + Duty”
CBS, 8pm

In the new episode “Lidar + Rogues + Duty,” the Phoenix must recover the body of a pilot whose plane crashed while testing an experimental laser mapping system that MacGyver (Lucas Till) designed.

The Blacklist: “Marko Jankowics/Minister D”
NBC, 8pm

In “Marko Jankowics,” the first of back-to-back episodes, when Liz (Megan Boone) and Jennifer (guest star Fiona Dourif) search for a woman who may know a secret about Red’s (James Spader) past, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless smuggler, forcing Liz to ask an unexpected source for help. Meanwhile, Red mediates between two rival gangs in prison. Then, in “Minister D,” Red fights in court to clear his name of treason once and for all.

American Masters: “Charley Pride”
PBS, 9pm

Explore the complicated history of the American South and its music through the life of country star Charley Pride, who was raised in segregated Mississippi. Pride’s journey shows the ways that artistic expression can triumph over prejudice and injustice.

Crazy Cakes: “Waterfall and Wonder Wheel Cakes”
Cooking Channel, 11pm

Volunteers are surprised by a yin-and-yang-inspired sweet treat, and a bride is joyfully overwhelmed when her wedding cake gets its own water feature. Then, one baker designs a cake that’s big enough for someone to hide inside, and a Coney Island celebration gets a sculpted masterpiece featuring the attraction’s most iconic ride.

Saturday, Feb. 23

2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards
IFC, 5pm
The night before the Oscars, Aubrey Plaza hosts an awards show that celebrates films produced outside of the major studio system and serves as a fundraiser for Film Independent’s programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the film industry. Nominees for Best Feature include Eighth GradeFirst ReformedIf Beale Street Could TalkLeave No Trace and You Were Never Really Here.

Smiley Face Killers: The Hunt for Justice: “Todd Geib”
Oxygen, 7pm
Season Finale!

A team of retired detectives investigates the 2005 death of a man who was found in a rural Michigan lake 21 days after he went missing. With little decomposition to the body, the team believes the death could be the work of the Smiley Face Killers.

Ransom: “Black Dolphin”
CBS, 8pm

The FBI asks Eric (Luke Roberts) for help in getting a victim to reveal the identity of a dangerous internet predator in the new episode “Black Dolphin.”

Planet Earth: Dynasties: “The Making of ‘Dynasties’”
BBC America, 9pm
Series Finale!

Four years in the making and over 1,000 days in the field, the Dynasties team set out to film the stories of five extraordinary animals. Embarking on their missions, the film crews traveled from the plains of Africa to the jungles of India.

O.G.
HBO, 10pm

Louis (Jeffrey Wright, Westworld), an incarcerated former gang member struggling with his impending release, tries to help a new inmate avoid the gang life. The film was shot on location in a maximum-security prison, and many of the actors onscreen are played by current prisoners.