Riverdale -- “Chapter Ninety-One: The Return of The Pussycats” -- Image Number: RVD515fg_0065r -- Pictured (L-R): Erinn Westbrook as Tabitha Tate, Camille Hyde as Alexandra Cabot and Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz -- Photo: The CW -- © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Best-bets for Sept. 8: youthful fun from Josie and Doogie

1) “Riverdale,” 8 p.m., CW. Great music and a so-so story combine, for what could be a pilot for a new series – and a good one. Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) did the first few “Riverdale” seasons – mostly singing, alone or with the Pussycats. She left for the “Katy Keene” series, then disappeared … until now. The story is rather monotone, repeating similar emotions from each character and scene. But the music – six numbers, ranging from “Little Shop of Horrors”(shown here) to a Nina Simone ballad– is sensational. Read more…

1) “Riverdale,” 8 p.m., CW. Great music and a so-so story combine, for what could be a pilot for a new series – and a good one. Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) did the first few “Riverdale” seasons – mostly singing, alone or with the Pussycats. She left for the “Katy Keene” series, then disappeared … until now. The story is rather monotone, repeating similar emotions from each character and scene. But the music – six numbers, ranging from “Little Shop of Horrors”(shown here) to a Nina Simone ballad– is sensational.

2) “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.” opener, any time, Disney+. Lahela Kamealoha is a Hawaiian surfer like her dad and a doctor like her mom; she’s 16 years old, mixing a Sheldon-like mind and a Gidget-like amiability. Colleagues, familiar with the old “Doogie Howser, M.D.” show, dub her Doogie. Indeed, this show is co-produced by people linked to that show, and borrows its opening scene. It’s a splendid start, an instantly likable blend of hospital drama, teen angst and Hawaiian sunshine.

3) “Good Trouble” season-finale, 9:30-11 p.m, Freeform. This ends with a note saying the show will be back next year. It had better be, because it leaves most of the plots hanging. There’s the murder trial for Callie … work crises for Mariana and Malika … the comedy showcase for Alice … the romance triangle for Davia. “Good Trouble” is a good show with an overload of mostly unresolved trouble.

4) “20/20: The Women of 9/11,” 9-11 p.m., ABC. On Friday and Saturday, we’ll have a surge of films linked to the 20th anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. Here’s an early arrival, anchored by Robin Roberts. It meets first-responders and survivors – including one who was trapped for 27 hours. “I was just praying and asking God to show me a sign and give me a miracle,” she says.

5) “Archer,” 10 p.m., FXX, rerunning at 10:33 and 11:06. Archer and Lana decided to do a good deed, re-uniting a baby gorilla with its family. Naturally, they need to be compensated … and to make a video, showing that they do good deeds. Also, an uncompensated and unappreciated intern plays a key role in an office crisis, in a good episode of this animated comedy/adventure.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *