Sunday
The A Word – 8 to 9pm on CBC – Series Premiere
This BBC drama is the story of the Hughes family, whose extended family gathers for son Joe’s fifth birthday, and the revelation that the boy is exhibiting traits of autism.
Michael: Every Day – 9 to 10pm on CBC – 2nd Season Premiere
Although this is the second season of the sitcom Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays, it has been five years since season one, and the series has been retitled. The title refers to lead character Michael’s visits to his Ottawa psychiatrist (so apparently, he has upped his visits). Michael and his psychiatrist have developed a (pardon the jargon) co-dependent relationship. Matt Watts and Bob Martin star among a cast that boasts Mary Tyler Moore vet Ed Asner.
The Simpsons – 7pm on Global/8pm on Fox
It’s not every day that a series in its 28th season does something for the first time, but this is the show’s first one-hour episode. Common, Keegan Michael Key (Key and Peele) and Taraji P. Henson (Empire), RZA and SnoopDogg are among the guest voices.
Homeland – 9:05 to 10:05pm on Superchannel – 6th Season Premiere
The Young Pope – 9 to 10pm Sundays and Mondays on HBO – Series Premiere
Jude Law and Diane Keaton star in this American adaptation of an Italian series about the youngest Pope, who is also one of the more conservative leaders the Catholic church has ever seen. (A second season is already in development.)
Victoria – 9 to 11pm on PBS – Series Premiere
Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) stars in this eight-episode first series of the life of Queen Victoria from her ascension to the throne, her marriage to Prince Albert, and the birth of their first child.
Tuesday
The Middle – 8pm on ABC/Monday at 8pm on City
ABC is juggling its sitcoms around a bit this week, so The Middle is on a day early on ABC. It remains on Mondays at 8 on City. (A bonus episode of Fresh Off The Boat fills The Middle’s usual Wednesday time slot.)
Wednesday
The People’s Choice Awards 2017 – 9 to 11pm on CBS
Joel McHale (The Great Indoors, Community) hosts this year’s ceremonies with Blake Shelton and Fifth Harmony scheduled to perform.
SIX – 10 to 11pm on History – Miniseries Premiere
Walton Goggins (Justified, The Shield) stars in this eight-part action drama about U.S. Navy Seal Team Six, the unit that killed Osama bin Laden. Based on the actual events.
Thursday
The Good Place – 8pm on NBC – One-Hour Season Finale
The final two episodes of season one are combined as a season finale, so it begins a half-hour earlier than usual.
Baskets – 10pm on FX – 2nd Season Premiere
NOTE: Because ABC has decided to run an hour-long special about Donald Trump’s inauguration at 10pm, the winter premieres of Shonda Rimes’ TGIT lineup (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How To Get Away With Murder) have all been delayed so they can return together next week.
Friday
Comedy Central Roast: Donald Trump – 6:30 to 8am and for the next 24 hours or so on Comedy
In one of the more interesting scheduling choices, Comedy is running the Trump Roast all day, over and over, as the New York mogul is inaugurated in Washington.
