1) “R.J. Decker” (ABC) or “Line of Fire” (NBC), both 8 p.m. Most scripted shows haven’t started their seasons yet, but these two began early and have reruns here. For “Decker” (10 p.m. Tuesdays), it’s the second episode, with a missing man and a dangerous stranger. For “Fire” (10 p.m. Mondays), it’s the pilot film, ending with a stark game-changer; shown here is the second generation in a family of federal agents. Read more…
(This story ran in May, when “Devil in Silver” debuted on Shudder and AMC+. Now the show gets a broader impact on AMC. Here’s the original story, slightly updated.)
We know that actors can stretch far beyond themselves. They can… well, act.
But they don’t usually stretch this far.
Judith Light (shown here) is one of the most involved and articulate people in show business. In the six-part “The Terror: Devil in Silver” — its second episode is 9 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 27) on AMC, rerunning at 10:03 — she’s Dorry, her life crumbling inside a mental hospital.
“She’s fragile and she’s heartbreaking,” Light told the Television Critics Association. Read more…
1) “Hell’s Kitchen” season-opener, 8 p.m., Fox. In the sweet-spirited “MasterChef,” home chefs cooked for a tranquil Gordon Ramsay. Now, alas, we’re back to the pros, albeit young ones, whom he can shout at. As the 25th season starts (shown here), they make their signature dishes. Read more…
As a different “Different World” arrives, it’s time to return to college life.
It’s time for “the HBCU experience, the immersiveness of it,” said writer-producer Felicia Pride.
That vibe (for historically Black colleges and universities) ripples through the “A Different World” reboot, arriving Thursday (Sept. 24) on Netflix, starring Maleah Jai Moon (shown here). It ranges from music, dance and romance to discussions of authors and philosophy.
That could invoke envy from some viewers … and maybe one of the actors. For a while, Darryl M. Bell, now 63, was in an opposite world. Read more…
1) “Survivor” opener, 8-10 p.m., CBS. An “open era” begins, with twists and detours popping up quickly. A new bunch arrives (shown here), including three farmers, two lawyers, a doctor, a med student, a wrestler and actress Ana Sani. She’s been the voice of Strawberry Shortcake, Izzy Moonbow and such; on “The Boys,” she was an analyst who was killed after five episodes. Read more…
At 9 a.m. one Tuesday, I was phoning Ric Burns, a gifted filmmaker.
His “New York: A Documentary Film” was finally wrapping up. The first five parts aired in 1999, showing a city that was merely created for commerce … then somehow became a cultural-social core for the world. Now, two years later, the final two chapters were ready.
It was a fascinating film, but during the interview, I kept noticing a commotion in the newsroom: At 8:46 and 9:03 a.m., planes had crashed into the World Trade Center.
In the weeks that followed, people would ignore most other things … including Burns’ films, which aired Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. A quarter-century later, he’s put things back in order; the new final chapters — spanning 9/11 and much more — air from 9-11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 20-21) on PBS. Read more…
1) “America’s Got Talent” finals, 10 p.m., NBC. The 10 finalists get one more chance to get votes; on Wednesday (9-11 p.m.), one will become champion. There are only two music acts, ages 14 and 16, plus four dance acts — including dogs, robots (shown here) and light-up dancers. There’s another dog act, two magic acts and an aerialist. “The Voice” auditions precede this at 8. Read more…
\es, birthday parties for 2-year-olds can seem a tad frivolous.
There’s too much noise, too little substance. But one such party led to “Line of Fire” (shown here), which debuts at 10 p.m. Monday (Sept. 21) on NBC, the first new, scripted show of the broadcast-network season.
That started three years ago, with a party for Barbara Bush’s daughter. Guests included Jenna Bush Hagar (Barbara’s twin sister) and writer-director Joshua Safran, a neighbor whose daughter was a friend of the birthday girl.
The conversation, Hager said, got around to the Secret Service people who protected their father (President George W. Bush) and his family. “We talked about this dynamic of people who are putting other people first, in many circumstances. What happens in their own family is complicated.” Read more…
1) “The Voice” season-opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. This is one of the rare times when half of the judges are new. Queen Latifah and country’s Riley Green (shown here) join the 19th year for Adam Levine and 11th for Kelly Clarkson, each with four champions so far. This week, blind auditions continue from 8-10 p.m. Tuesday and 8-9 Wednesday. Read more…
(This is the lead story for a three-part season-preview. The others — also under “stories” — have round-up of the streaming shows and the broadcast-network shows.)
Right about now, shouldn’t we be celebrating a new TV season?
Perhaps, but two questions loom: When does it start? And is it worth celebrating?
For that second one, the answer is “sort of.” It’s a modest start — no new shows on ABC or Fox, three each on CBS and NBC — but with bright spots.
One new fall show is terrific (CBS’ “Cupertino,” shown here), some others are promising. One mid-season show is excellent (NBC’s “Rockford Files” reboot), others could be. And six of last year’s mid-season shows are on the fall schedule, one of them (Fox’s “Best Medicine”) outstanding.
But when does the season start? Take your pick: Read more…
Best-bets for Sept. 25: quick reruns of new shows 
Best-bets for Sept. 24: Hellish reality and college fun 
Best-bets for Sept. 23: “Survivor” starts, “AGT” ends 
