Best-bets for Sept. 18: Cash soars; “Talent’ has a winner

1) “Country Music,” 8 p.m. (rerunning at 10), PBS. When Johnny Cash (shown here) left the Air Force, he had no clear plan. He was an Arkansas guy, newly married to a Texan he’d met during training. After moving to Memphis, where his brother lived, he was a bad salesman and an aspiring musician. He learned from a black bluesman and eventually met Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. That story – plus others, including the rise of Patsy Cline – wraps up the first half of Ken Burns’ brilliant, two-week series. Read more…

1) “Country Music,” 8 p.m. (rerunning at 10), PBS. When Johnny Cash (shown here) left the Air Force, he had no clear plan. He was an Arkansas guy, newly married to a Texan he’d met during training. After moving to Memphis, where his brother lived, he was a bad salesman and an aspiring musician. He learned from a black bluesman and eventually met Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. That story – plus others, including the rise of Patsy Cline – wraps up the first half of Ken Burns’ brilliant, two-week series.

2) “America’s Got Talent” finale, 8-10:01 p.m., NBC. On Tuesday, the 10 finalists had their last chance to impress voters. Most are musical – three solo singers, three choral groups and a violinist – but there’s also a comedian and two dance groups. Tonight, one will become champion.

3) “MasterChef” finale, 8-10 p.m., Fox. In two London episodes, the show trimmed the field in half. Now three home chefs remain: Nick DiGiovanni, 22, is a college student from Rhode Island; Sarah Faherty, 31, is a former Army interrogator from California; Dorian Hunter, 45, is a creeler (a textile worker) from Georgia. Tonight, each prepares a three-course dinner.

4) “The Goldbergs” and “Schooled,” 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. These reruns give Barry trouble in two decades. First, the ’80s: His brother Adam lets it slip that Barry never finished his community service. Then the ’90s: Now a doctor, he tries to win back Lainey, his high school love. Her colleague C.B., who also likes her, reluctantly helps Barry.

5) “A Little Late With Lilly Singh,” 10:01 p.m., NBC. This show (1:37 a.m. weekdays) opened Monday, with a star who differs from other late-night hosts in almost every way – female, young (30), Canadian, parental roots in India, bisexual, a YouTube star. Singh offers a mix of comedy sketches and fun guests; it was Mindy Kaling and Rainn Wilson the first night, Kenan Thompson the second; now, belatedly, she’s introduced to primetime viewers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *