“Sherlock”
DRAMA. It’s not often that we just come right out and say, “Watch this show,” but here it is: You must watch “Sherlock.” This updated take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s eccentric detective turns the clock to modern London, where Holmes (the commanding, simply fascinating Benedict Cumberbatch) solves unsolvable crimes with the help of Iraq vet Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman as the perfect calm foil), who blogs their escapades. The three episodes of Season 2 each play out like their own 90-minute movie; the cases, based on Conan Doyle’s tales, are twisty, dark and artfully shot, more than enough to capture the imaginative of a generation that has grown up on “CSI.” But these episodes are also so whip smart and fun, it would be impossible to mistake “Sherlock” for a run-of-the-mill procedural. The introduction of The Woman, a dominatrix who enters a psychological power play with Holmes in Sunday’s premiere, makes sure of that.
Season premiere, Sunday, 9 p.m., PBS
“Saturday Night Live”
COMEDY. Super Bowl champ Eli Manning is out to prove his sense of humor is as keen as his throwing arm when he suits up as this week’s host. Rihanna is the musical guest.
Saturday, 11:30 p.m., NBC
“Treasure Island”
MOVIE. The Robert Louis Stevenson classic gets a reboot featuring Eddie Izzard as the swashbuckling Long John Silver. Donald Sutherland and Elijah Wood also star in this four-hour epic.
Saturday, 7 p.m., Syfy
“The Comedy Awards”
SPECIAL. The funniest in the biz honor — and skewer — their own in this awards show’s second year. Robert De Niro and Jon Stewart present Don Rickles with the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence, while Robin Williams accepts the “Stand-Up Icon Award from Patton Oswalt. Tune in early to watch the pre-awards special “Between Two Ferns: A Fairytale in New York,” hosted by awkward “Ferns” interviewer Zach Galifianakis.
Sunday, 9 p.m., Comedy Central
