Day: November 18, 2021

News and Quick Comments

Mid-season changes: Here’s the line-up

After a long holiday break, the TV networks will have a flurry of changes in January.
Familiar shows – led by “This Is Us” (shown here) and “Black-ish” will finally start their seasons. New ones – including, alas, lots of reality shows – will get try-outs.
I’ll soon have a story (top of the page, left) outline this by genre. But for now, here’s a handy night-by-night list. It includes only shows that are new … or starting their seasons … or switching nights … or returning after a long break. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 18, 2021
Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10: Gaga, Grinch, Tony, Santa, more

1) “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga,” 8 p.m. Sunday, CBS. Two weeks after triumphing with Adele, CBS has two more of the all-time greats. On his 95th birthday, Bennett had what’s expected to be his final public concert; Alzheimer’s has taken other memories, but he still does songs perfectly. In Radio City Music Hall, his friend Gaga, 35, does four potent jazz/pop songs, then brings him on. Backed by gifted musicians – his quartet, her quintet and an orchestra – both stars (shown here at a previous event) soar. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 18, 2021
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Nov. 20: “Oz,” “Grinch” and a super ‘scope

1) “The Hunt for Planet B,” 9-11 p.m. ET, CNN. On Dec. 18, the Webb telescope (shown here in artist’s rendering) is slated to be blasted a million miles away – four times the distance to the moon. It’s a $10-billion, 20-nation project, 100 times stronger than the Hubble. Among other things, it will probe two planets that have the right conditions for life. This richly crafted film meets the men and (especially) women involved, including one who was the root of Jodie Foster’s character in “Contact” (1997). They’re fascinating people. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / November 18, 2021