‘Unsolved’ takes on Biggie, Tupac murders
“Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.” (10 p.m., USA, TV-MA) offers an extended scripted take on the unsolved murders of two influential rappers some 20 years ago.
Directed by Anthony Hemingway, who worked on “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson” and “The Wire,” this foray is based on the stories of two Los Angeles Police Department detectives who investigated the killings immediately after the fact and 10 years later.
The two stories allow “Unsolved” to flash backward and forward from the late 1990s to 2007, and to present different perspectives on the murder as well as the perceived significance of the victims.
As in “O.J.,” this series uses differing tastes in pop culture to make points about racial and social divides. In a memorable episode of “Crime Story,” members of the O.J. jury would retire at the end of the day to their hotel lobby and proceed to argue over what TV show to watch. White jurors opted for “Seinfeld” and black jurors chose “Martin,” and neither side seemed to “get” each other’s humor. In “Unsolved,” many Los Angeles detectives appear to be totally mystified by the popularity of hip-hop and its importance to its young audience.
Saddled with too much expository dialogue, “Unsolved” is not on the level of “O.J.,” but it offers a compelling detective story as a means to explore recent historical and cultural trends whose impact is only now being discussed and understood.
U.S. COMMONALITIES
Is the country coming apart? The one-hour special “American Creed” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) explores common ideas and themes that Americans of various backgrounds share and hold dear. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her fellow Stanford professor and author David M. Kennedy conduct conversations with students, many of them the first members of their families to attend college.
In addition, “Creed” profiles notable Americans, including Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, author Junot Diaz and White House speechwriter Eric Liu, who share their different takes on what brings Americans together and makes the country special.
“Creed” is more of a meandering seminar than a lecture, longer on discussion than conclusions. And perhaps that’s as it should be.
CAMEL RACING
“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (10 p.m., HBO, TV-PG) revisits a 2004 report on the use of child slaves as jockeys in the Middle Eastern sport of camel racing.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› Sue celebrates a milestone on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› “We’ll Meet Again” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG) concludes.
› A killer fakes mental illness to evade justice on “Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› A trip to Vegas on “This Is Us” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
› Anissa channels her powers on “Black Lightning” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
› “Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern (9 p.m., Travel) explores the history, culture and cuisine of the Pueblo people.
› Annie uncovers heartbreaking evidence on “Bellevue” (10 p.m., WGN, TV-MA).
› The three-hour “Frontline” (10 p.m., PBS) special “Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia” concludes with a look at proxy wars in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
› A con strikes a deal on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
› “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
› Confiscated guns flood the streets on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› Ralph feels fear on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG).
› A St. Patrick’s Day surprise on “Fresh Off the Boat” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Rival pilots on “LA to Vegas” (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14).
› A modern bedtime story on “blackish” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› A major wager on “The Mick” (9:30 p.m., Fox, TV-14).