Best-bets for April 20: Playoffs begin, Earth Day nears

1) Basketball playoffs begin. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers needed an extra game (via the “play-in” phase) to get here, but now they’re in the playoffs. At 8:30 p.m., ET on ABC, they visit the Denver Nuggets (shown here ina previous game. That wraps an opening day that has games on ESPN at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Minnesota and at the New York Knicks. Read more…

1) Basketball playoffs begin. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers needed an extra game (via the “play-in” phase) to get here, but now they’re in the playoffs. At 8:30 p.m., ET on ABC, they visit the Denver Nuggets (shown here ina previous game. That wraps an opening day that has games on ESPN at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Minnesota and at the New York Knicks.

2) Nature films, BBC America. As Earth Day nears (on Monday), we get a sampling of Earthly pleasures. BBC America reruns “Seven Worlds, One Planet” from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., then switches to some of its “Planet Earth” episodes. That continues until 12:12 a.m. (pausing at 8 for a new “Predator v Prey” hour, viewing lions), then returns Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

3) “Titanic” (1997), 9 p.m., Showtime. Speaking of Earth Day, James Cameron has become one of its key players. On Sunday and Monday, the National Geographic Channel will have two splendid documentary series produced by Cameron – a new one on octdopuses and a rerun on elephants. First, here’s the epic – winner of 11 Oscars, including best picture – that he wrote and directed.

4) More movies. This is a strong movie night, led by “Lost in Translation” (2003, 8 p.m., HBO), Sofia Coppola’s understated gem that paired Bill Murray with the then-unknown Scarlett Johansson. Others include “A Few Good Men,” at 8 p.m. on Sundance and both “Frozen” films (2013 and 2019), at 6:50 and 9:20 p.m. on Freeform.

5) ALSO: CBS had planned two “Fire Country” reruns Friday, then replaced them with a rerun of Billy Joel’s concert. Now here they are – first a toxic spill at a chemical plant, then a “fire tornado,” mixing a fire and swirling wind. Also, at 11:29 p.m., NBC has a “Saturday Night Live” rerun, with Shane Gillis hosting and 21 Savage as music guest.

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