SUNDAY'S MUST-SEE

"John Oliver: Terrifying Times," 9 p.m. Comedy Central.

Here is the best standup-comedy hour we've seen in years. Oliver, 30, is a Cambridge grad and a "Daily Show" regular with a fresh perspective.

He congratulates Americans on becoming the new colonialists. As someone from the previous empire (British), he offers brilliant perspective.

SUNDAY'S MIGHT-SEE

"Sweet Nothing in My Ear," 8 p.m., CBS.

Two people, deeply in love, reach an impasse. Dan (Jeff Daniels) can hear; Laura (Marlee Matlin) can't. Their 8-year-old son Adam (Noah Velencia) has been deaf half his life. Now Dan learns a cochlear implant might partially restore Adam's hearing. Laura feels that will only separate him from the warmth of his deaf community.

Don't expect the issue to be resolved. Do, however, expect subtly superb performances by deaf and hearing actors, beautifully directed by Joe Sargent.

OF NOTE

— "Oprah's Big Give" finale, 7 p.m., ABC. The last three contestants have a final project.

— "Nature: The Gorilla King," 7 p.m., PBS. In the mountains of Rwanda, we meet a gorilla who was first studied by Dian Fossey. This beautifully filmed hour catches him at 33, near the end of his reign.

— "Desperate Housewives," 8 p.m., ABC. Last week, Gabrielle re-married Carlos, then learned his blindness isn't temporary. Tonight, Lynette faces a surprise — Rick, the handsome pizza guy — is back.

— "Masterpiece: My Boy Jack," 8 p.m., PBS. Adapted and starring in his own play, David Haig portrays author Rudyard Kipling, zealously pushing the British cause in World War I. Daniel Radcliffe (of "Harry Potter" fame) plays his son, trying to join the military. The result is deeply depressing, but Haig, Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall (as Kipling's wife) are perfect.

— "John Adams," 6 p.m., HBO. This miniseries concludes in its usual way — slow, graceful and surprisingly despondent.

OF LOCAL NOTE

— "WE SERVE: The Legacy of Hawai'i Lions," 7 p.m., NBC. This locally produced documentary chronicles how a group of Hawai'i volunteers fought to have the "whites only" clause removed from the Lions Clubs International Bylaws in 1926.