It’s time for a new version of “Les Miserables,” the epic novel we all read in school, and …Or wait … have we all read it? “My teachers would love to hear me say ‘yes,’” said Lily Collins, one of the stars of the sprawling, six-part PBS mini-series.The teachers of Andrew Davies, the screenwriter, would also be disappointed. “It was one of those great classics that I neglected to read,” he said. Read more…
1) “Fam,” 9:30 p.m., CBS; and “Better Things,” 10 p.m., FX. For one more week, daughter and mother are back-to-back. First is the season-finale (and, probably, forever finale) of “Fam,” a fairly good show with fine work from Odessa Adlon (show here in last week’s episode); it’s time for her sister’s wedding. Then Pamela Adlon has another odd-but-great episode. This one starts with Frankie (the fictional version of Odessa) behaving badly. And it may be the first TV show to ask: “Frankie, why are you flushing towels down the toilet?” Read more…
I have a few quick thoughts about the “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” finale, but I don’t want to spoil anything if you’re still planning to see it. Read more…
1) “Modern Family” season-finale, 9 p.m., ABC. This show shines when it can throw everyone together amid chaos. Now – as we get closer to the arrival of Haley and Dylan’s baby and possibly their wedding – everyone’s here. That includes all 11 regulars, plus Dylan’s flaky mom, Phil’s dad (techno-version) and even a couple strangers, one holding a celebrity dog. It’s a big, broad, funny episode that remains true to its characters, propelling “Family” toward its final season. Read more…
1) “Fosse/Verdon” debut, 10 p.m., FX. This was the perfect Broadway duo: Bob Fosse directed and choreographed; Gwen Verdon starred. The results — “Chicago,” “Sweet Charity,” “Damn Yankees” — soared. But they were opposites, this series says. He (Sam Rockwell) was driven, adulterous, burdened by a tough childhood; she (Michelle Williams) was warm, caring, capable – sometimes — of repairing him and their marriage. Jumping around in time, this offers rich visuals and deeply layered characters. Read more…
1) Basketball, 9 p.m. ET, CBS. The college tournament has been filled with wild twists and close games. Now we have the finals, with Jim Nantz, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill (shown here) at the mikes. A pre-game show is at 8:30 p.m. ET. In the Eastern and Central zones, that’s preceded (8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT) by a fairly good “Big Bang Theory” rerun, with Leonard reluctantly in charge of grant money. Read more…
1) Academy of Country Music awards, 8-11 p.m., CBS. Nashville’s top stars will perform. That includes Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan (who used to be the co-hosts) and Reba McEntire (the current host). It includes Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton (shown here) and Keith Urban, plus fresh combinations — Brooks & Dunn with Luke Combs, George Strait with Miranda Lambert (who also does a medley), Kelly Clarkson with Dan + Shay and with Jason Aldean (who also links with Florida Georgia Line). Read more…
Great Britain seems to be one big murder mystery. Every Englishwoman and her grandfather are busy committing, solving or writing about homicide.
And Olivia Vinall’s life does nothing to dispute that.
She’s a serious actress, with Shakespearean credits and recent raves for her double role in “The Woman in White.” But now she’s a police detective in the breezy “Queens of Mystery” TV movies. Read more…
Sure, Lisa Whelchel knew people are interested in pop culture. After all, she’s a bit Read more…
1) “Fosse/Verdon” debut, 10 p.m. Tuesday, FX. For Broadway, this was the perfect fit. Bob Read more…
