Best-bets for April 5: crises for Ben and Pam

1) “Benjamin Franklin” conclusion, 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 10. The Declaration of Independence rippled with youthful zeal. Thomas Jefferson, 33, wrote the first draft; tweaking was done by John Adams, 40 … and Franklin, 70 (shown here in artist’s rendering). Franklin’s convivial manner then was key in getting French help for the revolution and in soothing anger during the Constitutional Convention. Ken Burns’ superb film shows a man who lived to 84 and belatedly opposed slavery. Read more…

1) “Benjamin Franklin” conclusion, 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 10. The Declaration of Independence rippled with youthful zeal. Thomas Jefferson, 33, wrote the first draft; tweaking was done by John Adams, 40 … and Franklin, 70 (shown here in artist’s rendering). Franklin’s convivial manner then was key in getting French help for the revolution and in soothing anger during the Constitutional Convention. Ken Burns’ superb film shows a man who lived to 84 and belatedly opposed slavery.

2) “The Resident,” 8 p.m., Fox. Here’s a strong role for Vicki Lawrence, 73, of “Carol Burnett Show” and “Mama’s Family” fame. She plays a vibrant soul who suddenly collapses. At the other end of the age spectrum, Conrad tries to help his daughter’s pre-school friend. Both stories are deeply emotional, but one leaves us worrying about Dr. Bell’s transformations. He’s gone from heel to hero and from a career-altering ailment to performing demanding surgery.

3) “This Is Us,” 9 p.m., NBC. Things go astray during an anniversary barbecue for Rebecca and Miguel. That leads into the second-to-last “The Thing About Pam,” with the town’s mood changing. A “Dateline” episode has raised doubts about Pam – who now fights Betsy’s daughters over their mother’s will – and about the district attorney, whose handling of the case becomes an election issue.

4) “Black-ish,” 9:30, ABC. This final season is bringing generational complications. Pops and Ruby plan to move out, traveling the country in their recreational vehicle. And with Bow facing the prospect of perimenopause, Dre feels her mother (Anna Deavere Smith) may be needed.

5) “Dying For a Good Grade” (2021), 8-10 p.m., Lifetime Movie Network. Somehow, the Lifetime people felt they needed two movies about cheating on college admissions. “College Admissions Scandal” (2019) was tidy and bland; this one (originally called “Admitted or Dead”) adds soap-style extremes.

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