TNT’s ‘Major Crimes’ returns and endures
“Major Crimes” (8 p.m., TNT) returns for the second “winter” half of its fifth season. This drama, a spinoff of “The Closer,” starring Mary McDonnell, will return for a sixth season.
Now that the Grammys are in our rearview mirror, music fans can take in the Brit Awards 2017 (9 p.m., BBC America), featuring performances by Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Little Mix, The 1975, Emeli Sande, Skepta and Robbie Williams.
Like the Grammys, these awards recognize some of the talent that departed the scene in 2016. The late David Bowie received two posthumous nominations, and Leonard Cohen received one Brit nomination, his first.
“Unsung” (7 p.m., TV One), the addictive musical biography series usually devoted to unheralded acts dwelling somewhere in the “where are they now?” pavilion, devotes a special hour to James Brown, arguably the most influential artist in the history of pop, R&B, soul and funk music.
The word “trainwreck” has taken on comic overtones. Used to describe people and even institutions who run consistently out of control, it was the title of a raucous 2015 Amy Schumer movie. But trainwrecks, accidents and rail crossing tragedies kill dozens of people every year.
Tonight’s “NOVA” (8 p.m., WKNO-TV Channel 10) explores the physics behind train travel and explains why a lack of safety may be built into current train design. It also looks at new technology being developed to make rail travel safer. Of particular note are Japan’s bullet trains, which offer high-speed commuter travel and sport a perfect safety record. We meet with scientists and visionaries planning for the safer, faster and more reliable trains of tomorrow. “Nature” (7 p.m., WKNO-TV Channel 10) rarely showcases a party out of bounds, but tonight’s “Spy in the Wild” segment has a fake monkey-cam capturing the bad behavior of primates engaged in a tipsy brawl over booze at a beachside bar. In another segment, a faux egret gets splattered during an elephantine mud fight.
Other highlights
» Tattoos point to multiple possibilities on “Blindspot” (7 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
» High school football can be murder on “Lethal Weapon” (7 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
» Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke star in the 2001 police drama “Training Day” (7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.), recently adapted into a CBS series starring Bill Paxton and Justin Cornwell.
» Otis’ murder weighs heavily on the salon’s staff on “Star” (8 p.m., WHBQTV Channel 13).
» Cam’s clown reputation must be defended on “Modern Family” (8 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
» Al Pacino and Robin Williams star in the 2002 thriller “Insomnia” (8 p.m., MoreMax).
» Sadie strives to keep things platonic on “Doubt” (9 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).
» Undercover as a hit man on “Chicago P.D.” (9 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
» Alec Baldwin hosts “Match Game” (9 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
» The team mulls a risky rescue scenario on “Six” (9 p.m., History).
» David has more questions than answers on “Legion” (9 p.m., FX).
» Liz looks for her estranged father (Peter Gallagher) on “Man Seeking Woman” (9:30 p.m., FXX).
Kevin McDonough can be reached at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.