Day: April 30, 2020

Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for May 4: Bush era; social-distance TV

1) “American Experience: George W. Bush,” 9-11 p.m. today and Tuesday, PBS. Here is a beautifully balanced and detailed look at a surprisingly complex man. We see a young people-person, a college cheerleader with lots of friends and alcohol. After a heavy-drinking 40th birthday, he transformed. He was governor at 48, president (shown here) at 54. In Iraq, he soared with a military victory, sank with an agonizing peace, revived with a “surge” offensive. Hurricane Katrina and Wall Street also dealt fierce blows. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 30, 2020
News and Quick Comments

It’s “social-distance theater,” comedy version

A new artform – we’ll call it “social-distance theater” – takes a big step tonight (April 30).
That’s when “Parks and Recreation Renion” airs at 8:30 p.m. on NBC,with the original cast (shown here in a previous photo) on-hand. The next day, it will be on YouTube, Hulu, Peacock and the NBC app.
Yes, this is an entire half-hour of faces in boxes, talking to each other. And yes, it’s quite often fun and funny. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 30, 2020
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for May 2: Awards and “Idol” are social-distancing

1) “Kids Choice Awards,” 8 p.m., Nickelodeon. Other award shows have been postponed, but this goes ahead in a social-distancing way, with the sub-title, “Celebrate Together.” Victoria Justice (shown here) will host, Asher Angel will sing “All Day” and LeBron James will get the Generation Change Award. Guests – presumably long-distance – will include Dwayne Johnson, Ariana Grande, BTS, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Ellen DeGeneres, Lil Nas X, Ellen DeGeneres and the cast of “Avengers: Endgame.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 30, 2020