Now that the Olympics are finally over and the networks and streamers can come out of hiding, we can start watching real TV again. Everyone is making up for lost time with a busy lineup that includes the revived “American Idol” with judge and contentious convent owner Katy Perry. See which program is worth your time.
March 4
“The Oscars,” ABC
Now that the Hollywood community has bored everyone to death at the Golden Globes, one wonders what the stars will do to make this show the slightest bit relevant in an age of plunging ratings for live TV events.
Hopefully, there’s someone backstage making sure the correct envelopes are handed out to the presenters after last year’s disastrous mix-up. Jimmy Kimmel is your host.
“The Good Fight,” CBS All Access
Christine Baranski goes head-to-head with a new adversary at the law firm, played by Tony-winning powerhouse Audra McDonald, in Season 2.
March 7
“Hard Sun,” Hulu
The end of the world is fast approaching, and two detectives with completely opposite personalities and value systems (Jim Sturgess, Agyness Deyn) must learn to work together to save the universe. Does this assignment include overtime?
March 8
“Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” Netflix
With her deadpan delivery and power bangs, Krysten Ritter picks up where she left off after the unexpected death of Kilgrave (David Tennant) in Season 1. Reports that Tennant will return from the dead somehow have been confirmed by show runner Melissa Rosenberg.
“Champions,” NBC
Series premiere. In this past-sell-by-date bro comedy, two lunkheads have to care for the teenage son of the elder slacker. From the creative minefield known as Mindy Kaling.
March 9
“Collateral,” Netflix
Playwright David Hare wrote this four-part series about a London murder investigation of the death of a pizza deliveryman. Carey Mulligan takes a detour from her big-screen roles to play the investigating officer.
“Sneaky Pete,” Amazon
In Season 2, Marius (Giovanni Ribisi) must find Pete’s estranged mother, Maggie (Jane Adams), and the millions she stole from their employer to keep two thugs from doing violent things to innocent people.
March 11
“American Idol,” ABC
Series premiere. This is a Disney show now, so everyone is going to be nice. (If someone as bad as William Hung auditions, what will judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie tell him? “We’re not sure you’re a singer, but we really liked your shoes”?) The nicer “American Idol” may leave you longing for Simon Cowell.
March 13
“This Is Us” season finale, NBC
Well, we finally know how Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) died. Rumors are that a character will be diagnosed with cancer in the season finale. Whatever happens, we are sure that this series will give everyone a reason to be miserable.
“For the People,” ABC
Series premiere. It’s sex in the courtroom in this Shondaland legal drama featuring a cast of unknowns and two accomplished actors (Vondie Curtis-Hall and Anna Deavere Smith) to make everything look professional.
“Rise,” NBC
Series premiere. Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother”) stars in the feel-good show of the spring as an idealistic teacher who wants to put on a theater show with a cast of high school students, each of whom has a Life Problem. Can Teach make them go away? From the creator of “Parenthood.”
March 18
“Instinct,” CBS
Series premiere. Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”) plays a former CIA operative-turned-writer whose latest manuscript bores his editor (Whoopi Goldberg) silly. What to do? A series of themed murders convinces a NYC cop (Bojana Novakovic) to give him some purpose in life.
March 21
“Inside Look: The Assassination of Gianni Versace” finale, FX
Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) will be hiding out on a houseboat in the explosive finish to this tragic true-life American crime story. The death of Versace (Edgar Ramírez) death was another crime the FBI might have prevented had it acted sooner on overwhelming evidence that Cunanan was in Miami after killing four men and making the 10 Most Wanted List.
March 22
“Station 19,” ABC
Series premiere. It’s sex in a firehouse in this “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff. Shonda Rhimes’ last show before decamping to Netflix.
March 23
“Alexa & Katie,” Netflix
Series premiere. Alexa (Paris Berelc) and Katie (Isabel May) are two best friends about to start high school. Like any conventional American, they want to fit in, but a crisis leaves them feeling unexpectedly like outsiders. What to do?
March 25
“Trust,” FX
Series premiere. This limited series tells the same story as the film “All the Money in the World,” with a twist: that J. Paul Getty III (Harris Dickinson) engineered his own kidnapping to get money out of his miserly grandfather (Donald Sutherland). With Hilary Swank in the Michelle Williams role as the exasperated mother.
“Barry,” HBO
Series premiere. A depressed hit man (Bill Hader) finds a new career and a new lease on life when he follows a mark to an acting class in LA and meets people who actually like him.
March 27
“Roseanne,” ABC
Revival premiere. She’s loud and she’s proud of it. In this eight-episode reboot of the hugely successful sitcom, Dan Conner (John Goodman) rises from the dead to join the old gang (Laurie Metcalf, Michael Fishman, etc.) in the story of Trump-loving family members.
March 28
“The Americans,” FX
The final season of the Russian spy drama kicks off.
March 30
“The Dangerous Book for Boys,” Amazon
Series premiere. A beloved dad leaves behind a book of stories and advice for his three sons after he unexpectedly dies. And that’s Chris Diamantopoulos in the Milo Ventimiglia role of the already-dead dad. From Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”).
“Rapture,” Netflix
Series premiere. The early days of hip-hop are recalled in this documentary-style series. The artists profiled include Nas and Dave East, T.I., Rapsody, Logic, G-Eazy, 2 Chainz and Just Blaze.