Paul F. Tompkins and a bunch of puppets weigh in on the state of the State of the Union

Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, January 28. All times are Eastern.

TOP PICK

No, You Shut Up (Fusion, 9:30 p.m.): Barack Obama’s fifth State of the Union Address is putting most of your favorite shows on hold for a week. (All together now: “Thanks, Obama.”) While the nation’s finest broadcast journalists will weigh in on the speech (and even Fox News will have thoughts on the matter) only Fusion is brash enough to present live State of the Union commentary from comedian Paul F. Tompkins and a panel of Jim Henson Company puppets. This kind of thing sounds right up Erik Adams’ alley, but he’s a freeloading liberal looking for a Tuesday night off, so Steve Heisler has kindly stepped up to check in with the most ludicrous band of pundits this side of Fox & Friends. (Double Fox News Burn! [mimes bitchin’ guitar solo.])

The Originals (The CW, 8 p.m.): All of America wants to know: Where does the president stand on vampire entitlement policies? And what of warlock immigration reform? Rowan Kaiser asks these and other tough questions.

Kroll Show (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): Dr. Armond makes his first appearance of the second season, and he’s under house arrest for his connection to a heinous crime. David Sims lobbies for a presidential pardon.

Cougar Town (TBS, 10 p.m.): Seeking to capitalize on the lukewarm heat generated by Black Sails’ debut, Cougar Town catches pirate fever. For treatment of pirate fever, Les Chappell recommends plenty of vitamin C and a long nap.

Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.)
Justified (FX, 10 p.m.):

John Teti on BBC America’s Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond, a fictionalized take on the wartime exploits of James Bond creator Ian Fleming (played by Dominic Cooper, the man who is Howard Stark): “By defining its hero largely in terms of how he isn’t Bond, Fleming creates a void at the center. The script lacks the deeper characterization that would give Fleming a soul of his own, and Cooper’s serviceable, straightforward performance doesn’t add much dimension either. The upshot is that it’s hard to get invested in Fleming’s travails and triumphs, as he too often comes off as a watered-down version of 007.”

Dads (Fox, 8 p.m.): Get in your potshots while you can: Everyone’s favorite example of diminishing multi-camera sitcom returns is due to take an extended leave, allowing Glee to return to its old Tuesday-night roost.

Degrassi (Teennick, 9 p.m.): The Canadian teen soap that will live as long as teenagers have things that bother them (i.e. always) moves to a timeslot, one week shy of providing the perfect lead-in for that Kroll Show cameo by Degrassi alum Lauren Collins.

The Capones (Reelz, 10 p.m.): A docuseries following the exploits of Chicagoans allegedly descended from Al Capone introduces a new TV heartthrob: Uncle Lou. Eat your heart out, the cast of The Originals.

The Day After Tomorrow (Spike, 8 p.m.): The president may touch on climate change in his speech, but he’s unlikely to drill into the connection between climate change and escaped zoo wolves threatening the lives of Jake Gyllenhaal and Emmy Rossum on basic cable.

Armageddon (WGN, 8 p.m.): And what of the threat posed to the entire planet by giant space rocks?

NHL Hockey: Capitals at Sabres (7:30 p.m.): NHL Fun Facts: The Washington Capitals are no. 18 in the presidential line of succession, and therefore cannot be present in Washington D.C. during joint sessions of congress, lest any sort of disaster prevent the team from assuming the office of president.

How I Met Your Mother: Backdoor pilot, ahoy! Donna Bowman gets up to speed with the last eight years of The Mother’s life in the 200th episode of HIMYM that’s also (unofficially) the first episode of How I Met Your Dad.