Month: November 2020

1) “NeXt,” 9 p.m., Fox. After being bumped by the elections last week, the Tuesday dramas boom back. “NeXt” is mid-crisis, as connected computers gain power. Shea, a cop, knows that her husband and son are targets. As they try to flee off the grid, she and LeBlanc head to Dartmouth, where this might be based. Late in the hour, LeBlanc (John Slattery) has a great monolog and some powerful moments with a friend (shown here) – confined to a computerized wheelchair – who may be involved. Read more…

1) “All Rise,” 9 p.m. today, CBS. This episode was a big deal in May — the first one about social-distance, shot via social-distancing. Actors used their own homes, with characters communicating Zoom-style, shown here. (The actors playing Kurt and Rosa are married and did a scene together.) Judge Lola (Simone Missick) presides at the first virtual trial. The case is too simple, but it was an OK try at something others soon did better. Dorian Missick, the star’s husband, adds flavor as a disc jockey. Read more…

1) “Rebuilding Paradise” (shown here), 9 and 11:47 p.m., National Geographic. Ron Howard was already a great director of scripted films, with an Oscar (“A Beautiful Mind”) and a nomination (“Frost/Nixon”). Lately, he’s also been doing documentaries. After the 2018 wildfire, he focused on the gorgeous town of Paradise, Ca. There, we meet likable people, including a man who tells of going “from town drunk to mayor.” After the blaze, he was one of the first to rebuild. Read more…

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Four years ago, Dave Chapelle (shown here) hosted “SNL” after the election, when some viewers were still in shock. Kate McKinnon sang “Hallelujah”; Chapelle offered a soothing (and funny monolog), then linked with Chris Rock in a gentle sketch mocking White friends unfamiliar with bad news. Now Chappelle is back, in an episode that was added belatedly – a sixth straight new episodes, after soaring ratings for the first five. The mood may vary with the official vote count. 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. Read more…