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What to Watch on Sunday: A heartbroken tiger tale, 'Episodes' finale

Broken Tail: A Tiger's Last Journey (8pm, UNC-TV) - In this "Nature" special, wildlife filmmaker Colin Stafford-Johnson follows the trek of Broken Tail, a 2-year-old tiger that disappeared from a tiger reserve in India and was killed by a train 100 miles away. Stafford-Johnson had spent 600 days filming Broken Tail and his family prior to the disappearance.

Amazing Race: Unfinished Business (8pm, CBS) - The 18th season starts with 11 former losing teams getting a second chance at the $1 million prize. The race starts in Palm Springs, California, and continues to Sydney, Australia, where the teams swim with sharks.

Saturday Night Live Backstage (9pm, NBC) - A two-hour behind-the-scenes special that focuses on the guest host experience. Told through clips and interviews.

Big Love (9pm, HBO) - Barb's choice of an ally in her pursuit of the priesthood displeases her mother (Ellen Burstyn) and Bill faces a Mormon boycott of his stores.

Episodes (9:30pm, Showtime) - In the season finale, the disastrous "Puck!" pilot wraps and a disappointed Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) prepare to return to London. A final goodbye between Matt LeBlanc and Sean (left) takes an unexpected turn thanks to a missing Jaguar, a red-nosed reindeer, and cinnamon. There's some really funny physical comedy in this episode. Looking forward to a Season 2!

CSI: Miami (10pm, CBS) - The man who murdered Horatio's returns and spreads violence across Miami. Add in a ticking puck at an NHL All-Star game and we might have another "Threat Level Midnight" on our hands. Oops, wrong network.

Brothers & Sisters (10pm, ABC) - Nora is torn over a possible reconnection with her long-ago boyfriend Brody (Beau Bridges), and Justin tries to help a homeless veteran who doesn't want his help. Directed by Matthew Rhys, who plays Kevin on the show.

What to Watch on Sunday: Avett Brothers on Grammys, Larry Hagman on Wisteria Lane

Grammy Awards (8pm, CBS) - The 53rd Annual event is live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Eminem leads nominations with ten, followed by Bruno Mars with seven. Both are scheduled to perform. Also performing: Justin Bieber, Usher, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, and most importantly, The Avett Brothers with Bob Dylan (and Mumford & Sons)!

William & Kate: A Royal Love Story (8pm, TLC) - Prince William's courtship with Kate Middleton is explored. This is followed by a two-hour special at 9pm on Queen Elizabeth.

Desperate Housewives (9pm, ABC) - Lynette's mother (Polly Bergen) asks her and the rest of the Scavos to pose for a family picture that includes her obnoxious new husband, played by Larry Hagman. Also, Bree continues to keep Keith in the dark about the fact that he's to be a dad.

Masterpiece Classic: Any Human Heart (9pm, UNC-TV) - Part 1 of 3 of a feature adapted by William Boyd from his 2002 novel about the eventful life of writer, lover, art dealer and spy Logan Mountstuart. Part 1 opens with the elderly Logan sifting through memories, beginning in the 1920s and including his friendship with Ernest Hemingway.

Big Love (9pm, HBO) - Bill's success in the senate is offset by new roadblocks set up by the Mormon church, and Barb's frustration with her internship prompts a life-changing decision.

Episodes (9:30pm, Showtime) - Beverly suspects Sean is having an affair with Morning, so she prepares to leave him and return to London. But on her way to the airport she runs into Matt, which puts a wrinkle in her plans.

Shameless (10pm, Showtime) - Fiona scrambles to spruce up the house for an impending visit from Carl's teacher and Lip makes some extra cash by taking tests for his less-intelligent classmates.

What to Watch on Sunday: A Betty White valentine, 'Downton Abbey' finale

Rogue Justice (8pm, CNN) - A new documentary examining trouble in the North Carolina state justice system. This repeats at 11pm.

Screen Actors Guild Awards (8pm, TNT and TBS) - Outstanding film and TV performances are honored in the 17th annual gala from Los Angeles. Ernest Borgnine will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. And for you sensitive types, no snarky Brits will be hosting.

Downton Abbey (9pm, UNC-TV) - The conclusion of the first season of this excellent Masterpiece Theatre series finds a surprising heir alternative to Matthew (Dan Stevens, right) coming to the fore. Also, Sybil's secret political life causes her harm, Anna investigates Mr. Bates' past while in London with Mrs. Patmore, Mary meddles with Edith's romantic plans, and Thomas plans his exit strategy.

Big Love (9pm, HBO) - Christmas becomes a trying time for the Henricksons in the face of shocking disclosures from Barb, Margene, and Adaleen. Meanwhile, Cara Lynn digs deeper into the disappearance of her father, and Lura goes to extremes to avoid Alby's purification measures at Juniper Creek.

The Lost Valentine (9pm, CBS) - A Hallmark Hall of Fame movie about a dogged TV reporter (Jennifer Love Hewitt) who finds her own love life changed when she profiles a World War II widow (Betty White) who continues to honor the memory of her Navy pilot husband 65 years after he was declared missing in action. Also stars Billy Magnussen, a 2007 graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts. See our review.

Californication (9pm, Showtime) - Hank learns from his attorney that his statutory rape case is going to trial. Meanwhile, Karen and Marcy buy a home-pregnancy test to see if Marcy is with child.

Episodes (9:30pm, Showtime) - Beverly and Sean rescue a drunken Matt from a bar outside of LA and attempt to shield him from the paparazzi.

What to Watch on Sunday: Championship football and British nobility

NFL Playoffs - We usually leave the sports programming to the sports pages, but these games are big. At 3pm on Fox, the NFC Championship game pits the Bears vs. the Packers. Then at 6:30pm on CBS, the AFC game has the Jets vs. the Steelers. That means a lot of repeats on the broadcast networks tonight.

The Simpsons/Bob's Burgers/etc (8pm, Fox) - Except on Fox, where they hope you'll stick around for new episodes after the NFC game. On "The Simpsons," Homer learns about parenting from a 1980s sitcom. James Lipton and David Mamet have voice cameos. On "Bob's Burgers," a documentary filmmaker tries to make a statement by leaving a live cow outside the burger joint, but Bob treats the cow like part of the family. "Family Guy" and "Cleveland Show" are also new.

Downton Abbey (9pm, UNC-TV) - I find myself waiting all week for the next installment in this excellent Masterpiece Theatre series. Tonight, in part 3 of 4, the rivalry between Mary and Edith reaches a fever pitch, and Thomas and O'Brien plot against poor Mr. Bates while Anna's (and my) fondness for him grows.

Big Love (9pm, HBO) - Now that his private life is public, Bill tries to bring more polygamists into the open. Ellen Burstyn guest stars.

Californication (9pm, Showtime) - Hank is pleasantly surprised when Karen invites him to stay with her following his accidental overdose, and Becca is invited to join a band. "Episodes" is after this at 9:30.

Shameless (10pm, Showtime) - The family must come up with a plan when the feds come searching for "Aunt Ginger," whose social security checks are getting cashed in town despite the fact that she supposedly lives in another state. Also, Ian angers the brothers of a girl whose advances he rejects.

What to Watch on Sunday: Golden Globe Awards, return of "Big Love"

Golden Globe Awards (8pm, NBC) - Maybe the best awards show of the season, mostly because the attendees sometimes get a little drunk before making their speeches. In addition to awards in movies and television, Robert DeNiro will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Raleigh native Michael C. Hall (left) is nominated for his starring role in "Dexter" (Hall won the award last year). Hosted by Ricky Gervais, who promises after tonight, the Globes will never invite him back. We'll be live-blogging here, so check in.

Downton Abbey (9pm, UNC-TV) - In part two (of four) of this excellent Masterpiece series, Mary continues to entertain suitors, including a Turkish diplomat. Also, much to his dismay, the former life of Mr. Carson is revealed, and Mr. Bates risks his health in order to keep his post as valet.

Desperate Housewives (9pm, ABC) - Lynette tries to stop her mom (Polly Bergen) from marrying an odious man (Larry Hagman). Also, Bree learns some trouble things from Keith's ex-girlfriend, Carlos worries about Gaby's obsession with a doll, and Susan befriends a depressed and curmudgeonly dialysis patient.

Californication (9pm, Showtime) - Hank's efforts to mend things with Becca by taking her to a guitar store run by musican Zakk Wylde fail. Hank later takes a meeting with Oscar-winning actor Rick (Rob Lowe, doing his best Brad Pitt), who is set to play him in the film of his novel.

Big Love (9pm, HBO) - In the fifth season premiere, which picks up in the ugly aftermath of Bill's election victory and his revelation of polygamy, the Henrickson family suffers indignities and scorn wherever they go. Also, Alby returns to Juniper Creek from his exile in the desert.

Episodes (9:30pm, Showtime) - Sean and Beverly are wined and dined at Merc's elegant house party, and Sean is flattered by a very smooth Matt LeBlanc. Matt also flirts a little with Beverly, who discovers too late that it's better to be on the star's good side than be his enemy.

Ted Haggard: Scandalous (10pm, TLC) - TLC continues its examination of the sordid with a profile of disgraced pastor Ted Haggard, founder of Colorado's New Life Church who left the ministry in 2006 following a sex and drugs scandal. The TLC show follows Haggard as he tries to start a new life and new church.

Denis Leary & Friends: Douchebags and Donuts (10pm, Comedy Central) - Leary performs at New York City's Town Hall with help from comedians Whitney Cummings, Lenny Clarke, and Adam Ferrara.

What to Watch on Sunday: A shameless wealth of debut episodes

Bob's Burgers (8:30pm, Fox) - A new animated series about a family man who opens a burger joint. Read Adrienne's review here.

Downton Abbey (9pm, UNC-TV) - The "Masterpiece" season premiere features the engrossing four-part drama that begins in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic   punctures the succession plans of Lord Grantham, the father of three daughters, and inspires his wife (Elizabeth McGovern) and mother (Maggie Smith) to push him to separate his title from his estate, which are legally entailed to pass only to a man.

The Cape (9pm, NBC) - The pilot of a weak new action drama from NBC about an ex-cop (David Lyons) who takes on a superhero persona and fights crime.

Californication (9pm, Showtime) - Season 4 finds Hank getting bailed out of jail and discovering he's the toast of the town thanks to his involvement in the literary sex scandal. On the downside, he's facing a lawsuit and Karen and Becca want nothing to do with him.

Episodes (9:30pm, Showtime) - The premiere of a new sitcom which stars former "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc as himself, landing a role in a sitcom and hoping to make a comeback. British comedy veterans Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig, who play the married screenwriting team, are wonderful. Definitely check it out (read more in our review).

Shameless (10pm, Showtime) - A strange new drama (?) with William H. Macy as a shiftless alcoholic who lets his six motherless children fend for themselves while he drinks away all their money and treats them like crap. Here's my conflicted, somewhat rambling review.

Louis C.K.: Hilarious (10pm, Comedy Central) - Louis C.K.'s latest stand-up act offers reflections on his divorce and life as a single father in his forties.

Matt LeBlanc makes friends (and enemies) in new Showtime sitcom

"Friends" fans, rejoice. Matt LeBlanc is back in a television series and this time, it's pretty darn good.

LeBlanc plays himself -- or at least, a version of himself -- in a new sitcom premiering on Showtime Sunday night. "Episodes" is about a married British screenwriting team who have a huge hit with their classy, award-winning show in England, and are then enticed to bring that hit to Hollywood.

The writers are promised the moon, but of course, once they get to Hollywood, there are huge obstacles. For starters, the buffoonish network executive (John Pankow) who lured them to the states doesn't like their established star, a distinguished British actor who has led the series for four years. The exec has a great idea for a replacement: the out-of-work Matt LeBlanc.

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