AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Auditions" -- Pictured: (l-r) Pork Chop Revue, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

Best-bets for May 26: Noisy reality, serious documentaries

1) “America’s Got Talent” season-opener, 8-10 p.m. NBC. This ratings champion works at a high-octane, high-decibel level. It wants lots of energy from performers, judges and studio audience. So it’s good that the auditions were done early, when crowds were still allowed. Later this summer, “AGT” may follow the “Idol”/”Voice” style of social-distancing; for now, however, here’s the full commotion. Sofia Vergera is the new judge, alongside Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel; Klum and Vergara are shown here, seducing a sow. Read more…

1) “America’s Got Talent” season-opener, 8-10 p.m. NBC. This ratings champion works at a high-octane, high-decibel level. It wants lots of energy from performers, judges and studio audience. So it’s good that the auditions were done early, when crowds were still allowed. Later this summer, “AGT” may follow the “Idol”/”Voice” style of social-distancing; for now, however, here’s the full commotion. Sofia Vergera is the new judge, alongside Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel; Klum and Vergara are shown here, seducing a sow.

2) “World of Dance” season-opener, 10 p.m., NBC. This covers vast turf – from hip hop to ballet, from individuals to big groups, from kids (under 18) to old pros. The million-dollar prize went to a duo the first year, a junior group the second, a senior group the third. Now contestants think it’s just another try-out; instead, they meet the judges (Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough and Ne-Yo) and the game begins.

3) “Viral: Anti-Semitism in Four Mutations,” 9-10:30 p.m., PBS. Anti-semitism once seemed like an historical artifact from th 1930s and ‘40s. Now, however, it’s back and loud, ranging from Hungarian officials to Labour Party leaders in England. This diligent and jolting documentary looks at the history of anti-semitism and at the forces – including the internet – that brought it back.

4) “Our New Reality,” 9 p.m., ABC. Diane Sawyer looks at the unfolding of the COVID crisis, and asks where we go from here. She talks to scientists racing to find a vaccine and to volunteers who are tested. It also follows essential workers, including at two assisted-living facilities in Ohio.

5) “The Genetic Detective” debut, 10 p.m., ABC. For three decades, the murders were unsolved. A young Vancouver couple was killed near Seattle; there were no friends or enemies or relatives to suspect, Then the case went to CeCe Moore and her computer; after two hours of matching DNA with family trees, she had a suspectd. Moore – a former actress and model – pioneers the method. In some cases (including this one) that has brought convictions.

Leave a Reply

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