Month: February 2020

1) “Good Trouble,” 10 p.m., Freeform. What began as a romp – two foster sisters, starting their big-city lives – has become intense … and surprisingly well-played. Tonight, that starts in the lush penthouse where Callie lives with her boyfriend (shown here in a previous episode); a crisis arrives. Also, Mariana probes the e-mail that alleges reverse-sexism at work … Malika is squeezed by family pain … Gael shares his anguish … and Alice finds a brew of sex, comedy and competition. That sounds like a lot, but the writing and the young actors show subtle skill. Read more…

1) “American Masters,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. For starters, this has a glorious soundtrack. Miles Davis (shown here) plays turbo-charged bebop music … then his own, subtler sound … then fusion and more. Alongside that is a life filled with fascinating detours. The son of a prosperous Midwestern dentist, Davis went to New York. He had three marriages, two addictions, one five-year gap. But he kept having comebacks, fueled by talent and creativity. It’s a sprawling story that director Stanley Nelson tells beautifully. Read more…

1) “The Voice” opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Blake Shelton is on his own this time. He’s always been able to bounce his jibes off his friend Adam Levine and/or his mate Gwen Stefani. Now neither is here; this is the fifth edition for Kelly Clarkson, third for John Legend and first for Nick Jonas. At first, the two pals dominated; in 13 editions, Shelton — shown here surrounded by Jonas adoration — had six winners and Levine had three. Then Clarkson arrived, winning three of four. Legend also won as a first-timer … which is a good sign for Jonas. Read more…

1) “Better Call Saul” season-opener, 10:05 p.m, AMC. As its fifth season begins, this show wallows in weirdness. Before the opening titles, it has a 13-minute, black-and-white stretch with the former “Saul” hiding out as a mall Cinnabon worker. Then it bounces back to Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk, shown here in a previous episode); he’s molding his identity as Saul, the fast-talking, low-budget lawyer for the guilty, while his wiser girlfriend tries to rein him in. There’s more here, involving Gustavo and drug deals. Much of it disconnected, most is fascinating. Read more…

1) “Almost Family” finale, 8 and 9 p.m., Fox. One of the season’s more promising shows never caught on. Juggling serious drama with light humor, it ended up with neither audience. The story started with an esteemed fertility doctor (Tim Hutton) arrested for secretly substituting his own sperm. His daughter (Brittany Snow, shown at right) reluctantly bonded with two of her half-sisters, Edie and Roxy. Now his trial begins, as Edie faces an ethical disclosure and Roxy plans a drastic move. Read more…