What's On Tonight (Thursday): Once again, these are their stories

 

Via Giphy.

The Law & Orderverse returns! Although I used an SVU gif, I'm going to declare all three series tonight's Top Pick. Because after the turmoil of the Hollywood strikes, it is nice to have something sordid but familiar.

Courtesy YouTube.

While I consider analogies between current programming and underwear, let's see what else TV has to offer us for Thursday, Jan. 18. All times are EST.

STREAMING

Dutch II: Angel's Revenge, 3:01 a.m., BET+. Premiere. "When a legal technicality frees the allies of notorious gangster Dutch, power-hungry Angel sets out to take back the streets, and repentant Zoom seeks to right his wrongs."

Rachid Badouri: Les fleurs du tapis, 3:01 a.m., Netflix. Premiere. "The charismatic Quebecois comedian gets real on everything from meeting a racist fan to letting success go to his head in this candid stand-up special."

On the Roam, 3:01 a.m., Max. Series premiere. "An eight-part cinematic docu-series following Jason Momoa as he travels the country chasing art, adventure, and friendship through the lens of craftsmanship." Two episodes available, with two per week through Thursday, Feb. 8.

Sort Of, 3:01 a.m., Max. Third season premiere. "Non-binary millennial Sabi -- the youngest child of Pakistani parents -- navigates love, career, and family." Two episodes available, with two per week through Thursday, Feb. 8.

Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale, 3:01 a.m., Sundance Now/AMC+. "Harper's accusations that Daniel raped her put the spotlight of suspicion on her and Sarah. A vigil in Daniel's memory whips up ill feelings within Sanctuary. Abandoned by The Moot, Sarah fears all is lost. Harper attacked at school."

TALKIN' 'BOUT TALK

CBS Mornings, 7 a.m., CBS. Andrew Rannells (Broadway's Gutenberg! The Musical!), Spelman College President Helene D. Gayle and chef Kevin Tien (Washington, D.C.'s Moon Rabbit).

The View, 11 a.m., ABC. Clive Owen (Monsieur Spade) and author Tim Alberta (The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory).

The Kelly Clarkson Show, times and stations vary. Jamie Lee Curtis (Just One More Sleep), Allison Holker Boss (Keep Dancing Through) and Black Pumas ("Ice Cream (Pay Phone)").

Tamron Hall, times and stations vary. A show about comebacks, with Ja Rule and "Just Sam" Diaz.

Being prompt is important for a comeback. Courtesy YouTube.

PRE-PRIMETIME SPORTS

NCAA Basketball, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network. Monmouth vs. Drexel.

NCAA Basketball, 7 p.m., ESPN. GET TEAMS.

NCAA Basketball, 7 p.m., ESPN2. GET TEAMS.

NCAA Basketball, 7 p.m., ESPNU. UNC-Asheville vs. Winthrop.

NHL Hockey, 7 p.m., ESPN+/Hulu. Minnesota Wild vs. Tampa Bay Lightning.

PGA Tour Champions Golf, 7 p.m., Golf. Mitsubishi Electric Championship, First Round.

NBA Basketball, 7:30 p.m., TNT. Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors.

PRE-PRIMETIME MOVIES

Warrior Strong, 7:15 p.m., Paramount+ With Showtime.

Evil Dead Rise, 7:23 p.m., HBO Signature.

The Medallion, 7:28 p.m., StarzEncore.

Ghostbusters II, 7:30 p.m., E! 1989 movie.

Bohemian Rhapsody, 7:40 p.m., FXM. Encore at 10:25 p.m.

Courtesy YouTube.

8 P.M. (CBS has a night of reruns.)

Law & Order, NBC. 23rd season premiere. "Freedom of Expression." "In the wake of a murder on campus, the line between free speech and hate speech at a university is examined."

Son of a Critch, The CW. Second season finale. "Halley's Comet." "Mark is excited for Halley's comet, but the magic is lost when he learns Fox is moving. A new restaurant being built near the Critch house threatens to change the family forever." Followed by two reruns of The Conners.

Hell's Kitchen, FOX. "Don't Be Fooled." "During dinner service, the chefs are put to the test to see if they have the attention to detail it takes to run a kitchen -- with a few tricks thrown in by chef Ramsay. Guest judge Kevin Meehan."

Press Your Luck, ABC. "The Whammy Strikes Back." Followed by two reruns.

The This Old House Hour, PBS. "Lexington: Electrical Bond" and "Garage Graffiti; Nursery Closet." "Copper bonding is installed before the therapy pool is craned in. Tile selections are revealed. The integrated entrance ramp gets snow melt and a final layer of concrete. Elevator disconnects are installed." Later, "Painting over graffiti. The importance of radon testing. Installing closet shelving in a nursery." Followed by Miss Scarlet and the Duke on Masterpiece and Funny Woman reruns.

The Power of Film, TCM. "Character Relationships."

Movie Night!

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, BBC America.

Deadpool 2, FX. Encore at 10:30 p.m.

Knocked Up, Cinemax.

Central Intelligence, 8:30 p.m., Freeform.

Kate & Leopold, 8:44 p.m., HBO Family.

9 P.M.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC. 25th season premiere. "Tunnel Blind." "As the squad celebrates the birth of Rollins and Carisi's child, another child goes missing in broad daylight."

Gordon Ramsay's Road Trip, FOX. "Spanish Vacation, Part II." "Gordon Ramsay, Gino D'Acampo and Fred Sirieix enjoy the best culture and cuisine of Spain."

Children Ruin Everything, 9:30 p.m., The CW. "Consequences." "After Felix and Viv slack on their chores and get caught in a lie, Astrid and James realize their discipline style can use a little work."

NCAA Basketball, CBS Sports Network. Middle Tennesse State vs. Texas-El Paso.

NCAA Basketball, ESPN2. Oregon State vs. Utah.

2024 Australian Open Tennis, ESPN. 

Movie Night!

The Big Lebowski, TCM.

Titanic, The Movie Channel.

Avatar: The Way of Water, 9:05 p.m., HBO.

Police Academy, 9:15 p.m., IFC.

Ted 2, 9:45 p.m., HBO2.

I just want Streisand, for no reason at all, to appear on an L&O show.

10 P.M.

Law & Order: Organized Crime, NBC. Fourth season premiere. "Memory Lane." "Stabler must deal with rapid changes at work and home after returning from a dangerous undercover assignment. Bell hires an adviser whose AI technology program could revolutionize police investigation. Jet and Reyes struggle with Whelan's absence."

NBA Basketball, TNT. Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves.

NHL Hockey, ESPN+/Hulu. Nashville Predators vs. Los Angeles Kings.

Johnny Carson, Antenna. Susie Essman, David Steinberg and Jake Johannsen are the guests on this Jan. 5, 1989, episode.

Movie Night!

Bloodsport, Showtime Extreme.

The Bodyguard, WE. Also airing at 7 p.m.

Battle: Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., AMC.

Enemy, 10:45 p.m., MoreMax.

What If, 10:45 p.m., Showcase.

LATE NIGHT TALK

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:34 p.m., NBC. Jacob Elordi, Ariana DeBose and BJ The Chicago Kid ft. Chlöe.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, 11:35 p.m., CBS. Common and Steven Wright.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 11:35 p.m., ABC. Chrissy Teigen, David Chang and Sierra Ferrell.

Late Night With Seth Meyers, 12:35 a.m., NBC. Clive Owen, Isla Fisher, Robert Smigel and Rob Mitzner.

Nightline, 12:37 a.m., ABC.

After Midnight, 12:37 a.m., CBS. Max Greenfield, Ike Barinholtz and Robby Hoffman.

Via Giphy.

LATE NIGHT PICK!

Erin Brockovich, 11 p.m., Paramount.

Sources: Futon Critic, zap2it, individual show websites, TV Everyday, Google.