Bobby McFerrin: A YoungArts Masterclass (7:30pm, HBO) - Grammy-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin (yes, now that song is stuck in your head -- you're welcome) mentors four young singers in a memorable workshop environment. The YoungArts program offers emerging artists (ages 15 to 18) from around the country the chance to be mentored by some the world's greatest artists.

Frontline: Cliffhanger (8pm, UNC-TV) - Examining the failure of America's elected representatives to solve the country's debt and deficit problems. Included: the political and personality clashes that nearly pushed the nation off the "fiscal cliff"; the ideological divide within the GOP; the struggle between House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va).

State of the Union Address (9pm) - President Obama's address will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, UNC-TV, CSPAN, Fox, Fox News, Fox Business Network, CNN, CNBC and MSNBC.

The Face (9pm, Bravo OXYGEN!) - A new reality competition show in which 12 attractive people vie to be a supermodel. In tonight's premiere, the hopefuls move into a luxury loft, participate in their first test shoot and pose for photographer Patrick Demarchelier. Check out Adrienne's review of "The Face."

The Lying Game (9pm, ABC Family) - Emma impersonates Sutton to expose Rebecca's lie. Meanwhile, Theresa's support for Alec jeopardizes her relationship with Dan.

Real Husbands of Hollywood (10pm, BET) - Kevin Hart boxes Shane Mosley at a charity event where Robin Thicke sings the National Anthem.

Justified (10pm, FX) - More about that severed foot discovered last week by Raylan ("Well, my goodness."). Also, Boyd and Ava target Harlan's upper class. (Harlan has an upper class???)

All Star Dealers (8pm, Discovery) - A new reality series following one of the top sports-memorabilia companies in the nation, Grey Flannel. Tonight's first episode includes a visit to Dennis Rodman's storage facility, and a jersey allegedly signed by Dan Marino. In a second new episode airing at 8:30, former UNC and former Los Angeles Lakers star James Worthy (left) helps authenticate shoes worn by the Lakers in the 1988 NBA championship. Also in this episode, items linked to Roger Staubach and Mickey Mantle.

Wyatt Earp (8pm, UNC-TV) - As part of the PBS' January salute to the West, a repeat of 2010's profile of Wyatt Earp, best known for his involvement in the 1881 shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - For those who missed it, a repeat of Sunday's post-NFC Championship game episode, which aired at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

State of the Union (9pm) - This is airing on most channels tonight -- ABC, CBS, NBC, UNC-TV, CNBC, Fox, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC (coverage starts at 8 p.m.).

Justified (10pm, FX) - The murder of a fellow marshal throws Raylan together with a former female colleague, and Art leaves the office to track down another angle of the case. Meanwhile, Boyd engineers a showdown with Dickie Bennett, despite Raylan's effort to prevent it.

Southland (10pm, TNT) - Tang's and Cooper's physical vulnerabilities are sorely tested when they're attacked. Also, Lydia and Ruben focus on a murder at a convenience store and Ben and Sammy team with a bumbling officer.

White Collar (10pm, USA) -  Neal poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to help Peter track down missing scholarship money.

Wind. Solar. Nuclear. Coal. Natural gas. Can all of these be considered clean energy?

In President Obama's State of the Union address, he challenged the nation to set a new goal that 80 percent of America's electricity will come from clean energy sources by 2035. Read reactions to the Obama's new goal.

So it turns out Barack Obama and Holden Thorp share a love of science fairs.

Who knew?

In his State of the Union address earlier this year, Obama pushed for a smarter citizenry, saying he yearned for a day when science fair winners are held in the same regard as Super Bowl winners.

That rang true to Thorp, the UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor who snared a few science fair titles in his day.

The Fayetteville native was a science whiz kid growing up. Speaking to the UNC-CH Board of Trustees Thursday, he said Obama's words were inspirational.

"I spent the rest of the night looking through my closet for my old middle school science fair trophies," he joked.

Thorp also said he was heartened by Obama's hope that federal funding for academic research not be cut. UNC-CH is a research goliath, reeling in more than $800 million in grant-funded research last year.

And with projects paid through federal stimulus money now reaching their end, university researchers say it's critical that traditional sources of that grant money remain intact or even grow.

"I'm upbeat that research is going to be okay," Thorp said. "Obviously, the president is committed to it."

Research funding is high on the university's annual policy agenda, and Thorp said Thursday it is a key indicator of the university's level of national prominence.

It's a story the university tells often. With new leadership in the General Assembly, it'll get told even more often in weeks and months to come.

"With new people in the legislature, we think it's important to help them understand the research activity and impact on the economy," he said, adding that total grant-funded research last year totaled $803 million.

"That's money they don't have to provide," he said.

The spending freeze President Obama called for in his Tuesday night State of the Union address would largely spare higher education.

Obama's  proposed five-year discretionary spending freeze would spare education and research, which are too critical to the nation's future to sacrifice, he said.

"Cutting the deficit by gutting our investments in innovation and education is like lightening an overloaded airplane by removing its engine," he said. "It may feel like you're flying high at first, but it won't take long before you'll feel the impact."

Obama indicated a desire to invest in biomedical research, information technology and energy. He proposed paying for those initiatives by cutting oil company tax breaks, reports the Chronicle of Higher Education.

This sits well with higher education backers.

"We agree with the president that the nation needs to take strong action to reduce budget deficits, and that as we do so, we must continue to direct additional resources toward research and education to ensure America's economic competitiveness and global leadership," said Robert M. Berdahl, president of the Association of American Universities, in the Chronicle of Higher Education. "It is our hope that sustained investment in research and education, even as we reduce deficits, is something Democrats and Republicans can agree on."

But as the Chronicle reports today, that investment may not go over well in the Republican-led House of Representatives.

Read on.

Pioneers of Television (8pm, UNC-TV) - This week looks at westerns, including "Maverick," "The Rifleman," "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "Big Valley," and "The Wild, Wild West." Remarks from James Garner, Linda Evans, and Robert Conrad. Also, a look at Fess Parker's work on "Davy Crockett" and "Daniel Boone." This series really is a must for TV fans.

State of the Union Address (9pm) - President Obama delivers his address before a joint session of Congress. He's expected to talk about the economy, job creation, and the 2011-1012 budget. This is airing pretty much everywhere: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and UNC-TV.

Lights Out (10pm, FX) - While Johnny tries to persuade a promoter to give the gym's top fighter a title shot, Lights' daughters prepare a scrapbook for their father's 40th birthday party. Meanwhile, police discover that the MP3 player found on the body of a murdered robber belongs to Lights (Holt McCallany, right). Let me break it down: This show is excellent. Ratings are low. Catching up is easy. Watch it.

Southland (10pm, TNT) - John Shares procedural tips with Ben, including how to make a death notification. Meanwhile, Lydia and Josie tangle with an unorthodox suspect in a drug-related murder case, and Sammy crashes at Nate's as he sorts through his marital issues.

White Collar (10pm, USA) - Neal recalls his first meetings with Kate and Mozzie as Peter goes over the details of Neal's first arrest. 

The Game (10pm, BET) - Malik's troubles continue and he soon finds himself in a bigger bind. Also, Melanie goes overboard while hosting a charity event.

You’re forgiven if you didn’t spot Ping Fu during the State of the Union address Wednesday night.

The CEO of Triangle-based Geomagic was there, but she gave up her seat next to First Lady Michelle Obama in the front row of the gallery.

For starters, during a pre-speech reception at the White House, the First Lady explained that whoever sat next to her had to sit very still and avoid yawning, fidgeting or stretching. You never know when the TV cameras might turn your way.

“I figured sitting next to Mrs. Obama and being very still was going to be torture for 70 minutes,” Fu said, laughing. “It would have been an honor, of course. She’s so real, so beautiful.”

So she switched seats, twice.

Ping Fu apparently made a good impression during her first White House visit this month.

Tomorrow, the CEO of Geomagic will fly back to Washington for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. She was asked to attend a reception with Obama at the White House, ride with First Lady Michelle Obama to the Capitol and sit next to her during the speech.

Fu assumes that administration officials wanted someone who represents "game-changing" small or medium companies that created jobs in 2009.

"Somebody was impressed with my company and the things I said" during a CEO technology forum at the White House on Jan. 14, Fu said. "The economy is the main issue, and creating jobs.

"I am nervous, scared, but I'm so thrilled with this experience," she added in a phone interview today. "This is really the American dream come true."

The event is another stop on a long journey for Fu, whose early years in communist China were filled with abuse and oppression.