Month: June 2020

1) BET Awards, 8-11 p.m., CBS and BET. As the networks take a fresh interest in black lives, here’s a first: CBS simulcasts this show with its sister channel, BET. Comedian Amanda Seales hosts a virtual ceremony; it has awards for best actor, actress and movie, but the emphasis is on music. Performers include Chloe x Halle (shown here at the Super Bowl), Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, Kane Brown, Wayne Brady, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jonathan McReynolds and Megan Thee Stallion. Read more…

1) “Lethal Weapon.” all day, AMC. We used to think rule-breaking cops were kind of fun. That era returns with four films that have Danny Glover and Mel Gibson (shown here) as mismatched partners. They’re at 12:30 p.m. (1987), 3 (1989), 5:30 (1992) ad 8 (1998). At 11 p.m.is a “Line of Duty” episode that debuted in England in 2016, but reflects current crises: Last week, the Armed Response Unit was called in and ended up killing the suspect. In this hour (the second of six), some tips aid the investigation. Read more…

1) “Great Performances: Gloria – A Life,” 9-11 p.m., PBS (check local listings). It’s been a big life, actually. Once a Toledo kid dreaming of being a Rockette, Gloria Steinem helped alter the possibilities for American women. Christine Lahti (shown here) portrays her, with six actresses taking all the other roles. It’s a good (if flawed) show that ends with a twist: Steinem, strong and sharp at 86, arrives. She takes comments from people in the audience … many of them witnesses to a world she transformed. Read more…

1) “Council of Dads,” 8 p.m., NBC. Basically, everyone is mad at everyone: Luly (shown here) rages at Anthony, for never mentioning that he (not Scott) is her father. Theo fumes at Anthony for ignoring his dreams of being a chef. Everyone’s mad at Anthony for leaving and at Luly because her family essay went online. Now all of that peaks as a hurricane roars in … and a baby is due … and much more. You can gripe about overkill and about too many lunk-headed moves, but it still adds up to a gripping hour. Read more…

1) “Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. Who knew that 2017 – just three years ago – would already be sweet nostalgia? This reruns a special at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (shown here). The line-up of beloved souls includes Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Stevie Wonder and the Obamas. There’s more – Common, Usher, Ne-Yo, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Dave Chappelle, Mary J. Blige and the Foo Fighters. Read more…