Month: August 2021

1) “The Walking Dead,” 9 p.m., AMC, rernning at 11:07 p.m., 12:14 a.m., more. It’s been 16 months since we saw a new “Dead.” That one – the showdown with the Whisperers – reruns at 7:52 p.m. Then the final season – eight episodes now, 16 more later – begins, with a desperate search for food. Tonight starts with a perilous mission, then plunges into an even tougher one, which needs help from the despised Jeffrey Dean Morgan (shown here). The result, as usual, is tough and tense, gory and well-crafted. Read more…

1) “Stand Up to Cancer,” 8 p.m., ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, E, Showtime, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, more. The first six specials raised awareness, plus $603 million for cancer research. They were on even-numbered years, but missed 2020 because of COVID. This one is hosted by comedy people – Anthony Anderson, Sofia Vergara, Ken Jeong and his wife Tran Ho (they’re shown here with their daughters)– and has music from Brittany Howard and from Common with Stevie Wonder. Segments include Ciara, Deon Cole, Jennifer Garner and more. Read more…

1) “The Greatest #AtHome Videos” season-opener, 9 p.m., CBS. When the pandemic shut Hollywood last summer, networks scrambled for alternatives. There were some duds, but there was also this likable trifle. Originally called “Stayathome Videos,” it was a genial tribute to people who use their stuck-at-home time cleverly, creating delightful videos. The confinement ended, but the creativity continues; Cedric the Entertainer (shown here) introduces new works. Read more…

1) “Brooklyn Nine Nine,” 8 and 8:30 p.m., NBC. This final season, just 10 episodes long, is being tossed away in a late-summer slot. That’s odd treatment for a comedy that’s been good – sometimes very good – for eight years. Yes, it’s sometimes too busy, not giving the humor a chance to build or to breathe; still, that pace works well in both of tonight’s stories. First, there’s a “blue flu” the captain suspects is phony; then Jake and Amy(shown here) each have a huge work day, while splitting child-care duties. Read more…

1) “House Calls With Dr. Phil” debut, 9 p.m., CBS. For five weeks, “Love Island” dominated the schedule. Now that it’s finished, CBS has lots of room to play with. It’s pulling reruns off the shelf and inserting three new hours – two tonight and one Friday. This one has Phil McGraw (shown here) visiting families, starting in Utah, where a teen hasn’t spoken to her father (living in the same house) in years. Read more…

1) “Motherland: Fort Salem,” 10 p.m., Freeform. Epic moments rippled through recent episodes. Raelle (shown here) was kidnapped; her long-missing mother died while saving her. Nicte – founder of the Spree terrorists – was captured, almost escaping by stealing Tally’s face. Now the young witches face bigger questions: Can Tally (shown here, background) successfully interrogate Nicte? Can she spur doubts about General Alder? Can Raelle commune with the enigma in the lab? It’s a strong hour, setting up next week’s season-finale. Read more…