Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, February 28. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The 88th Annual Academy Awards (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): “We all dream in gold” is the saying that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been trying to associate with tonight’s Oscar ceremony. This color-based reference may or may not be an attempt to distract from the #OscarsSoWhite controversy that’s embroiled the awards since the nominations, with the sad and longstanding tradition of a remarkably non-diverse slate of acting and directing nominees finally reaching a boiling point.(Also, the Academy could have done better regarding queer cinema too. We’re just saying.) It spurred a string of boycotts, forced the notoriously hidebound Academy to institute some major changes, and led to a few respected actors running their mouths and giving their publicists angina.
And that’s not even getting into the issues going on in our parallel universe, where the discussion is about “We all dream in black” and “#OscarsSoBlue.” (This bad joke brought to you by the one-year anniversary of that time we all lost our minds over a goddamned dress.)
Anyway, while host Chris Rock is certain to call attention to the controversy throughout the show, we’re expecting the nervous chuckles greeting his sharp lines to be overwhelmed by the usual pomp and circumstance that dominates the evening. There’ll be the usual overlong speeches, presumptive favorites, montages honoring classic films and those we lost, and all the usual things that we tune into the Oscars for. This year the best picture nominees are an interesting collection of films, and ones that we had a lot to say about over the last couple of weeks. There’s The Martian (the rare Hollywood blockbuster for adults), The Revenant (which squeezes the frontier for a new look at the Western), Room (where emotional impact is a matter of perspective), Bridge Of Spies (the story of a man who puts the cold in Cold War), Spotlight (a success even more remarkable when you remember its director also gave us The Cobbler), The Big Short (where the viewer is the only character who matters), Brooklyn (which lost its bearings once it got out of the titular borough), and Mad Max: Fury Road (which is amazing but might have been even better if it starred Mel Gibson).
As always, The A.V. Club will be there to guide you through the night, both with our live-blog here on the site and through the hashtag #AVCOscars on Twitter. You’ll be able to identify your What’s On Tonight correspondent’s comments as the histrionic curses for every award that Mad Max: Fury Road fails to claim. You may dream in gold, Oscars, but we ride eternal, shiny, and chrome.
Also noted
The Walking Dead (AMC, 9 p.m.): “Rick comes to the realization that Alexandria might not be as safe as he thought.” So, the zombies getting through the walls, the Wolves slaughtering a majority of the population, and the abusive husband with the katana didn’t convince of that already? The good news for you is that Zack Handlen knows a guy who can sell you the perfect security system.
Vinyl (HBO, 9 p.m.): Last week Dan Caffrey introduced a regular feature to his reviews called “It’s Mostly Rock ‘N Roll (But I Like It)” in an effort to keep the near-endless musical cues of the show straight. With Alice Cooper coming onto the scene tonight as Clark attempts to sign him to a solo deal, we’re betting even money that “No More Mr. Nice Guy” will find its way onto that list before the evening’s over.
Girls (HBO, 10 p.m.): The unlikely friendship of Adam and Jessa continues as the two spend the day together after an encounter at an AA meeting. Joshua Alston just hopes you’ll be careful, Jessa. Adam might be a mean hand with the guitar, but he’s known to have a bit of a dark side.
Togetherness (HBO, 10:30 p.m.): We’ve always believed that “poor sportsmanship” and “barely disguised contempt” are the ingredients to make any family get-together one for the ages. And it looks like we’re heading for a similar event on Togetherness, as a welcome home bash is thrown for Alex after his movie shoot in New Orleans. Gwen Ihnat is bringing the spinach dip for the party and some popcorn to munch on as as things fall apart.