At a sleepy time for the big networks, two mini-nets offer some variety.
For UPtv, there will be cop shows this month: Reruns of “The Rookie” (shown here)now and a new season of “Hudson & Rex,” starting July 17,
And for the CW, it will be this fall. There will be a series (the Canadian version of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) and six movies, based on Harlequin romance novels. Read more…
1) “Bachelor in Paradise” opener, 8-10 p.m., ABC. “Bachelorette” is gone for a year (undergoing a makeover), so “Paradise” gets the top summer spot. It has seven people from last year’s “Bachelorette,” three (Alexa Godin, Bailey Brown, Zoe McGrady) from the recent “Bachelor” and more, including “Golden Bachelor” and “Golden Bachelorette.” Jesse Palmer hosts, with Wes Adams (shown here) as bartender and Hannah Brown leading “Paradise relations.” Read more…
In Hollywood history, some big moments came when wise souls chose to do nothing.
Consider two blockbusters that almost weren’t:
–In 1974, “Jaws” (shown here) veered wildly over its budget and beyond its schedule. “I was terrified I was going to be fired,” Steven Spielberg recalled. Sid Sheinberg, the head of Universal Pictures, flew to Martha’s Vineyard, had a gentle chat with his young director … and decided to leave him be.
— Two decades later, “Titanic” was in the same sort of trouble. Bill Mechanic, head of Fox, drove to the film site to talk to James Cameron. Read more…
1) “Holidazed” opener, 8 and 9 p.m., Hallmark. Last year, this ambitious mini-series (shown here) helped launch Hallmark+; now it moves to the general channel. The first episode meets families on a cul-de-sac, re-uniting for Christmas. The next ones tell their stories, one family per hour, leading to the overall finale in the eighth episode. Read more…
1) “Big Brother” opener, 8 p.m. Thursday, CBS. This 27th season is the largest yet. Its opener is 90 minutes, to introduce the housemates. After that, it will have an hour each Sunday and Thursday and 90 minutes each Wednesday; Julie Chen Moonves (shown here in the redesigned house) hosts. And starting July 25, there will be “Big Brother Unlocked” hours on alternate Fridays. Read more…
1) “Sharks Up Close,” 8 p.m., National Geographic. On Earth Day, we saw Bertie Gregory (shown here) communing with cute penguins. Now he goes the other way — hoping to swim with great white sharks off South Africa. There’s a lot of frustration here, but there are some good moments with gorgeous filming. Read more…
1) “A Capitol Fourth,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30. Leading into the Washington, D.C., fireworks (shown here), we get tributes (including the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military) and lots of music. That includes the Beach Boys, the Temptations and gospel great Yolanda Adams, plus Josh Turner, LoCash, Lauren Daigle, Abi Carter and the National Symphony. Read more…
1) “Transplant,” 8 p.m., NBC. A terrific season has its key episode tonight. As usual, there are odd patients — including spouses who are literally glued together. There are career crises for Bash and Theo. And there’s Mags, a doctor (and Bash’s loved one, they’re shown here), with a transplanted heart. The result is beautifully crafted and deeply emotional. Read more…
