America’s biggest black icons—including President Obama—take the stage in D.C.

Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, January 12. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The Good Place (NBC, 8:30 p.m.): It was lovely to have The Good Place back last week after its long winter hiatus. And Dennis Perkins plans to soak up every moment of this show before it wraps up its first season with two final episodes next week. Tonight, Eleanor “hatches a plan” with Tahani while Chidi learns some “intriguing news.” Plus Michael makes a “stunning discovery,” which Dennis hopes will allow Ted Danson to do more of that delightfully confused acting he does so well.
Taking The Stage: African American Music And Stories That Changed America (ABC, 9 p.m.): Following his farewell speech on Tuesday, President Obama makes one more TV appearance on this ABC concert special. Filmed back in September at the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum Of African American History And Culture in Washington, D.C., the special features appearances from dozens of black performers and cultural icons. Plus Tom Hanks will be there too, for some reason. In addition to showcasing exhibits from the museum, Taking The Stage will feature songs, spoken word, dance, and appearances from the likes of Angela Bassett, Dave Chappelle, Savion Glover, Samuel L. Jackson, Quincy Jones, Rashida Jones, Elijah Kelley, Janelle Monáe, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Octavia Spencer, Chris Tucker, Jesse Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, and many more.
Colony (USA, 10 p.m.): Remember the show where Sawyer from Lost and Lori from The Walking Dead are a married couple living under authoritarian rule? Also there are aliens? Well, it’s back for a second season. In Colony’s season-two premiere, Will and Katie struggle to hold their family together; Broussard returns home; and Snyder receives a job offer from a mysterious source. Enjoy Colony as either escapist sci-fi and/or a terrifying glimpse into America’s future.
Premieres and finales
Mad Families (Crackle, 3 a.m.): This latest Crackle original is technically a movie, but since the distinction among movie, TV show, and TV movie is becoming slimmer and slimmer these days, we’re highlighting it here anyway. Charlie Sheen, Leah Remini, and Glee’s Naya Rivera star in this comedy about three very different families—one white, one black, and one Hispanic—who wind up booked in the same campsite on Fourth Of July weekend and decide to compete against one another to determine who gets to stay. And, no, we promise we didn’t just come up with that description in Mad Libs.