It helps that there were a lot of creative films made about Gould over the years to help illustrate his unusual story - and plenty of great music, of course.
The death of the director Blake Edwards, who died Dec. 15 at the age of 88, brings a change to the schedule of Turner Classic Movies, featuring some of his best loved films, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (8 p.m.), "Days of Wine and Roses" (10 p.m.), "The Pink Panther" (midnight) and "Victor/Victoria" (2 a.m.).
In a Big East basketball opener, it's UConn at Pittsburgh (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.).
In Monday Night Football, it's Saints at Falcons (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
A two part Christmas episode of "The Closer" (TNT, 9 p.m.) reaches its conclusion. Part one is on at 8 p.m.
Joe finalizes his divorce on "Men of a Certain Age" (TNT, 10 p.m.).
Hallmark just can't let go of the holiday just past. It presents "An Old Fashioned Christmas" (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) and ""Christmas in Canaan" (Hallmark, 10 p.m.).
Five chocolatiers compete for the title of Chocolate Master in the special "American Chocolate Championship" (TLC, 10 p.m.).
How to fill time between the holidays? How about three reruns of "Chuck" (NBC, 8, 9 and 10 p.m.).
Stave off the excesses of New Year's Eve with a new "Intervention" (A&E, 9 p.m.).
"A poodle mix with boy troubles" gets some attention on the first of a week's worth of "Dog Whisperer" (National Geographic, 8 p.m.) continuing through Thursday.
Amid all the other countdowns this week, how about this one: "50 Most Insane Celebrity Oops" (E!, 9 p.m.).
Catch the entire trilogy: "Back to the Future" (AMC, 6 p.m.), "Back to the Future II" (8:30 p.m.) and "Back to the Future Part III" AMC, 11 p.m.).
It's Air Force vs. Georgia Tech at the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl (ESPN2, 5 p.m.) from Shreveport, La.
In the NBA it's Magic at Nets (YES, 7 p.m.). In hockey, Bruins at Panthers (NESN, 7:30 p.m.) and Minnesota at Columbus (Vs., 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Regis and Kelly: Cory Monteith, Sylvester Stallone, Jesse McCartney, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Jenni "JWoww" Farley (rerun). The View: Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Bill & Giuliana Rancic (rerun). The Talk: Neil Patrick Harris (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Sofia Vergara, Justin Bieber (rerun). Wendy Williams: Jenny McCarthy, Mr. T (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Johnny Depp, Ra Ra Riot (rerun). Jay Leno: Russell Brand, Chris Colfer, Jonny Lang with Brad Whitford, Billy Cox & Chris Layton (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Mark Wahlberg, Beau Garrett, the Temper Trap (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Bette Midler, Mario Batali, Rula Jebreal, Pegi Young & the Survivors. Craig Ferguson: Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carl Edwards (rerun). Carson Daly: Mark Cuban, John Cameron Mitchell, Japandroids (rerun). Conan O'Brien: Tom Hanks, Jack McBrayer, Soundgarden (rerun). George Lopez: David Arquette, Ashley Greene, Billy the Exterminator (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Natasha Bedingfield, Josh Wolf, Ben Gleib, Loni Love.
