Best-bets for April 8: A drama debuts on comedy’s big night

1) “Rebel” debut, 10 p.m., ABC. Erin Brockovich (shown here) was a law-office clerk – a former beauty-pageant winner, with no legal training – when she confronted a utility giant. Using savvy and social skills, she helped get a $333 million settlement. That was back 1993; the “Erin Brockovich” movie arrived seven years later, with Julia Roberts winning an Academy Award. Now Brockovich is one of the producers of this series, with Katey Sagal playing someone a lot like her. Read more…

1) “Rebel” debut, 10 p.m., ABC. Erin Brockovich (shown here) was a law-office clerk – a former beauty-pageant winner, with no legal training – when she confronted a utility giant. Using savvy and social skills, she helped get a $333 million settlement. That was back 1993; the “Erin Brockovich” movie arrived seven years later, with Julia Roberts winning an Academy Award. Now Brockovich is one of the producers of this series, with Katey Sagal playing someone a lot like her.

2) “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” season-opener. 10-11 p.m., Freeform. Last season, we met Matilda at 17 – autistic, enthusiastic, a gifted pianist, beautifully played by Kayla Cromer, who is on the autism spectrum. Matilda lived with her younger sister and older half-brother (Josh Thomas, the show’s creator), who’s clueless about parenting. The season ended when she tried to go to Juilliard, panicked and retreated. That’s where we start now, with episodes that manage to be moving, yet quietly funny.

3) “The Moodys,” 9:30 p.m., Fox. With both sons back home (along with their sister, after a break-up), the reactions vary. Their dad (Denis Leary) obsesses on their job situation; their mom brings in her “life coach.” It’s a good episode – especially the mom parts – as the show settles into its 9:30 timeslot; after a one-week pause, “Last Man Standing” is at 9, with Eve (Kaitlyn Dever) returning.

4) “United State of Al,” 8:30 p.m., CBS. This culture-clash comedy works both ways. Americans want Awalmir (called Al), newly arrived from Afghanistan, to adapt to their culture … but he’s also busy trying to change them. Now he’s stunned that Riley (his wartime colleague) has separated from his wife. The result is moderately funny and filled with likable people who mean well … as we see after Riley’s hard-partying sister loses the dog-tags of her late fiance.

5) “B Positive,” 9:30. CBS. Two Broadway greats, Tony-winners from different generations, combine. Linda Lavin, 83, plays Norma, befriended by good-hearted nursing-home worker Gina (the superb Annaleigh Ashford, 35). Now Norma accidentally sets a fire in her room; she moves into Drew’s house, where Gina – who will be his kidney donor – is also staying.

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