Best-bets for Jan. 26: Lyonne leads a big streamer stretch

1) “Poker Face” debut, Peacock. Rian Johnson, writer-director of the “Knives Out” gems, links with Natasha Lyonne for a superb series. She’s terrific as Charlie, with an innate sense of when people are lying. In the opener (shown here), she’s living in a Las Vegas trailer, when casino boss (Adrien Brody) tries to harness that skill; she’s soon on the run, solving self-contained mysteries slong the way. Except for one flaw – scenes that flash back a few days, without telling viewers – this is a fresh and entertaining show. Read more…

1) “Poker Face” debut, Peacock. Rian Johnson, writer-director of the “Knives Out” gems, links with Natasha Lyonne for a superb series. She’s terrific as Charlie, with an innate sense of when people are lying. In the opener (shown here), she’s living in a Las Vegas trailer, when casino boss (Adrien Brody) tries to harness that skill; she’s soon on the run, solving self-contained mysteries slong the way. Except for one flaw – scenes that flash back a few days, without telling viewers – this is a fresh and entertaining show.

2) More streaming. Peacock has a busy stretch – the first four episodes of “Poker Face” today, then “Tar,” which has been getting some Academy Award talk, on Friday. Also today, Paramount+ adds its “Teen Wolf” movie and a “Wolf Pack” series.

3) “Young Sheldon,” 8 p.m., CBS. Mandy, Georgie’s ex-girlfriend, is staying next door with his grandmother. Now his sister likes to visit there for girl talk … which makes their mom jealous. That’s a rerun; so is “Ghosts,” with suspicions that Jay’s new friend is a cult leader.

4) “Call Me Kat,” 9:30. Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”) guests as the new baker at Kat’s cafe. That follows a “Welcome to Flatch” in which Kelly and Shrub finally learn who is the porch pirate … then ponder what to do about it. Also, Barb decides that Joe – the former boy-band star and current pastor – needs a makeover prior to the agricultural fair.

5) Figure skating. Here’s the start of a busy, four-day stretch from San Jose. The rhythm dance finals are 7-9 p.m., with the women’s short-program from 10 p.m. to midnight. The women will have their finals from 8-10 p.m. Friday on NBC, after the men’s short program from 5-7 p.m. on USA.
— Mike Hughes, TV America

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