Month: October 2019

1) “Riverdale” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. Alongside its flaws (big ones, sometimes), “Riverdale” has had a key strength: It’s had some profoundly decent characters — Archie Andrews, his dad Fred and their neighbor Betty Cooper – at its core. Luke Perry, a small-town Ohio guy, gave Fred real depth and believability; his death in March (at 52, after two strokes) is approached tonight (shown  here) with quiet respect. This hour could be considered too one-note; still, that note is deeply moving and well-deserved. Read more…

1) “Finding Your Roots” season-opener, 8 p.m., PBS. After growing up among Hollywood privilege, Mia Farrow (shown here in her movie days) and Anjelica Huston each lost a parent at 17. The deaths — Farrow’s dad, Huston’s mom – left them knowing little about half their roots. Now they get unsettling news: Farrow’s grandfather sent his wife to a mental home, where she died at 27. Huston’s ancestor fathered four slaves; his will freed them … but not until they were 30. It’s a fascinating hour that also traces Isabella Rossellini. Read more…

1) “All American” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. Fiction blends with a real-life tragedy. “All American,” based loosely on the life of former pro-football player Spencer Paysinger, has teens trying to escape their roots in Los Angeles’ tough Crenshaw area. In real life, Nipsy Hussle — a rapper, activist and philanthropist from Crenshaw – was shot March 31; he died at 33. A memorial (shown here) for him offers a backdrop for some potent moments, as Spencer and his coach face live-changing decisions. Read more…

1) “Batwoman” debut, 8 p.m., CW. TV’s next great hero is a lot like the previous ones – strong and silent and smart and terribly telegenic, someone who’s smashing tough men one moment and loving a beautiful woman the next. But this hero happens to be female, played potently by Australian actress Ruby Rose (shown here). This show isn’t for everyone for many reasons, including the fact that it’s dark, angry, violent and heavily serialized. Still, it’s skillfully executed, delivering movie-quality visuals. Read more…

1) “The Blacklist,” 8 p.m. Friday, NBC. Here’s the second half of a story that’s dazzling in its twists and illusion.s In the season-opener, Red woke up in a French hospital, nearly paralyzed. Or he (and we) thought that happened. The hospital was fake, in Maryland. It was part of a ploy by the Russian spy whose existence is a secret — even to her daughter Elizabeth, who’s scrambling to find Red. He escaped and was re-captured. Stick with this, because more illusions are ahead, in an explosive (shown here) hour. Read more…

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (shown here) has suddenly grabbed our attention . Once confined to supporting roles in British shows, she got Emmy nominations in drama (for writing and producing “Killing Eve”), then dominated in comedy – winning Emmys for writing, producing and starring in “Fleabag.” Now she hosts “SNL,” with Taylor Swift as music guest. Read more…