1) “NCIS” 500th episode, 8 p.m., CBS. Yes, 500 episodes. That’ s below “The Simpsons”(805) and the “Law & Order” shows (588 and 538), but it’s 499 above “Turn-on,” “South of Sunset” and others. This episode (shown here) has concocted a way to get everyone involved: A Marine’s son is desperate for help; the fractured team links for an off-the-books operation. Read more…
As Easter nears, TV networks are paying attention.
They have sprawling epics from Hollywood’s past, plus shows that are more recent. They pack the final weekend (April 3-5), but also have some things a week earlier.
A couple of these are on the big networks: Fox has “The Faithful” movies on Sundays; ABC has its annual repeat of “The Ten Commandments” on April 4, the night before Easter.
But the real flurry is on smaller channels, ones that exist on cable or satellite or online or on digital sub-channels carried by local stations. Here are some of the choices. The times are ET, but that varies. For Fox or History, for instance, an 8 p.m. ET show is also 8 p.m. PT; for Turner Classic Movies, an 8 p.m. show is 5 p.m. PT: Read more…
1) “St. Denis Medical,” 8 p.m., NBC. Three stories pair the main characters neatly. Bruce (shown here) and Matt are on ambulance runs … Joyce and Alex are hiring a head midwife … and Ron and Serena battle over a pen, seemingly the only thing at the hospital that works. It all blend into a slick, funny episode. Read more…
We can now declare HBO Max the clear winner of this year’s awards chase.
On April 24, it will add “Marty Supreme” (shown here). That joins a pile that already has “One Battle After Another.” Read more…
1) “The Forsytes” opener, 9 p.m., PBS. It’s PBS’ third time telling the massive story of wealth, greed and romance in the early 1900s. This time it has all the modern skills to create a visually gorgeous show(as shown here) … plus a modern emphasis on the women. This six-Sunday story is just the first season, but it also works beautifully as a stand-alone mini-series. Read more…
“The Bachelorette” has suddenly been yanked from ABC’s schedule, three days before it was set to open its season.
The decision came after TMZ released a video showing Taylor Frankie Paul (shown here) seemingly attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and throwing several chairs at him. The incident led to Paul pleading guilty to aggravated assault. Read more…
1) Sports surge. The baseball season starts with one game Wednesday (Yankees-Giants, 8:05 p.m. ET on Netflix) and lots on Thursday, including two on NBC — Pirates and Mets at 1:15 p.m., Dodgers (shown here) and Diamondback at 8:30. Also, Thursday is when the college basketball tourney starts a new round, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on CBS, 7:30 and 10 on TBS. Read more…
1) Basketball. A new round of the college tournament begins, with Thursday’s winners colliding. CBS has games at noon, 2:30, 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET, with more games on TBS. TNT and TruTV. By late Sunday night, the tourney will have its “sweet 16” for next week’s games. Meanwhile, other networks have films (shown here) for the basketball-averse. Read more…
1) “Doc,” 8 p.m., Fox. Here’s a rerun of one of the show’s best episodes. It has three strong stories, including a powerful one centering on Joan (Felicity Huffman, shown here, right, in a previous episode), a skilled surgeon covering up her progressive ailment. That’s followed by an OK “Best Medicine,” focusing on a hunky loner. Read more…
1) College basketball. The 64-team tourney starts its three-week marathon. For CBS, that means tip-offs at 12:15 (Ohio State, shown here, and Texas Christian), 2:50, 7:10 and 9:45 p.m. ET, wiping out soaps, comedies and mysteries. That will be the same time Friday (wiping out cops and firefighters at night). There’s more on TBS, TNT and TruTV … and a new round will be Saturday and Sunday. Read more…
Best-bets fo March 24: Doc, Daredevil & 500th “NCIS” 
Best-bets for March 23: clever comedies, plus bowlers 
Best-bets for March 22: a big, busy night 
