Best-bets for Nov. 6: Corden conquers silly tale

1) “Great Performances: One Man, Two Guvnors,” 9 p.m., PBS. Americans know James Corden as a terrific talk-show host, but he’s also a gifted comedy actor. Here, belatedly, is the U.S. debut of a 2011 special, with Corden (shown here) as a luckless chap who secretly has two bosses … and must keep them apart. Based on a 1743 farce, this is mostly loud and silly; what seems funny onstage can seem way over-the-top onscreen. Still, Corden — who won a Tony award in the role – is a marvel. Read more…

1) “Great Performances: One Man, Two Guvnors,” 9 p.m., PBS. Americans know James Corden as a terrific talk-show host, but he’s also a gifted comedy actor. Here, belatedly, is the U.S. debut of a 2011 special, with Corden (shown here) as a luckless chap who secretly has two bosses … and must keep them apart. Based on a 1743 farce, this is mostly loud and silly; what seems funny onstage can seem way over-the-top onscreen. Still, Corden — who won a Tony award in the role – is a marvel.

2) “American Ninja Warrior” finale, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Here’s a quick rerun of Wednesday’s finale. A week earlier, 16 of the 27 finalists tackled the course and only four finished. Now the other 11 get their turn; then the top eight finishers, combining both weeks, compete for the $100,000 prize.

3) “Magnum P.I.,” 9 p.m., CBS. In a change, CBS has pulled “Undercover Boss” and replaced it with this rerun – the first of four episodes with comedian Bobby Lee as a pickpocket. After stealing a phone, he finds an ominous message on it.

4) “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002) and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003), 2:30 and 6:30 p.m., AMC. The second and third films in the trilogy reminded us that big-budget, special-effect movies can also be intelligent and artful. Both were nominated for the best-picture Academy Award; “Return” won that and 10 other Oscars, including director Peter Jackson.

5) More movies. There’s more action, with “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Ant-Man” (both 2015) at 6 and 9 p.m. on USA. Other top films of all types include “BlacKkKlansman” (2018) at 8 and 11 p.m. on FX, “Frozen” (2013) at 8 p.m. on Starz and “Steel Magnolias” (1989) at 6 and 11:30 p.m. on Pop.

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