Month: August 2020

1) “Tough as Nails” finale, 9-11 p.m., CBS. The team prize was handed out last week, but now comes the big one – an individual prize of $200.000 and a truck. Starting with 12 people, “Nails” – already renewed for next season – has its final five. There are two women – Linda Goodridge, 29, a deputy sheriff; and Callie Cattell, 28, a fisherman – and three men. Danny Moody, 33, is a drywaller; Miles Pak, 28, is a forestry tech; “Murph” Murphy (shown here), 47, is a Marine veteran. Phil Keoghan hosts. Read more…

1) “Transplant” debut, 10 p.m., NBC. At a Middle Eastern restaurant in Canada, a tragedy strikes. There are life-and-death moments, as one of the workers (Hamza Haq, shown here) takes action. Then … well, we won’t say any more. “Trasnsplant” is careful to reveal itself slowly; watching this first hour that way is a rewarding experience. John Hannah, a Scottish star, is the only actor Americans might recognize. (We see him first as a restaurant customer.) The Canadian cast, led by Haq, performs with subtle skill. Read more…

1) “Planet Earth: A Celebration” (shown here), 8-9:25 p.m. ET, BBC America and IFC; 8-9:25 p.m. ET/PT AMC and Sundance. This began with two great series – “Planet Earth II” and “Blue Planet II.” The BBC chose eight gorgeous segments and added new music, performed by the members of the BBC Orchestra (separated by six feet) and Hans Zimmer (separated by the Atlantic Ocean). The moments – from hilarious parading flamingos to horrifying racer snakes – are brilliantly crafted. Read more…

1) MTV Video Music Awards, 8 p.m., everywhere. This sprawls across the cable world — MTV, VH1, CMT, BET, Nickelodeon, TV Land, Pop, Paramount, Comedy Central and, for the first time, CW. Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (shown here) – who lead with nine nominations apiece – combine for “Rain on Me”; BTS has the TV debut of “Dynamite.” Also performing: Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, DaBaby, Black Eyed Peas, CNCO, Maluma, Doja Cat and more. Keke Palmer hosts the night, which has a New York tribute. Read more…

1) “On the Waterfront” (1954) and “North by Northwest” (1959), 6 and 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. These truly great movies that have nothing in common … except Eva Marie Saint. “Waterfront” is black-and-white, intense and maybe the best-acted movie ever. Marlon Brando and Saint got Oscars; Rod Steiger, Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb were nominated. “Northwest” is simply fun, a colorful Alfred Hitchcock romp that has Cary Grant, Saint and classic chase scenes,including the one shown here. Read more…