But seriously, folks
I'm glad the Kennedy Center has a separate event celebrating comics, but the addition of the Mark Twain Prize means "The Kennedy Center Honors" has become a more somber affair. Despite the more serious tone, you're bound to crack a smile when Cyndi Lauper celebrates Cher with a youthful rendition of "If I Could Turn Back Time."
7 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4
Long way to go
There have been plenty of tributes to the late Burt Reynolds, but it's hard to beat this lineup: "Smokey and the Bandit," followed by "Deliverance," "The Longest Yard" and "Hooper." The most glaring omissions here are "Starting Over" and "Boogie Nights," films worth finding on your own.
7 p.m., TCM
Blinding me with science
If the recent Ryan Gosling film "First Man" focuses on the emotional baggage that accompanies a trip to the moon, then "Apollo's Daring Mission" emphasizes the science (this is, after all, a "Nova" special). Engineers and astronauts are practically giddy about sharing the intricate details behind the launch of Apollo 8, the mission that set the stage for Neil Armstrong's more famous flight.
8 p.m., TPT, Ch. 2
Neal Justin
