Day: September 17, 2025

“Downton”: from rejection to soaring success

The “Downton Abbey” era began with two rejections. Then came the flip side, with soaring success.
That has included six PBS seasons, 69 Emmy nominations (with 15 wins) and three movies.
The third — “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” (shown here) — is in theaters now; “Downton” fans will love it, others will find it kind of interesting. It wraps up a splendid stretch that began with rejection. Read more…

Best-bets for Sept. 19: Here’s CBS’ future and past

1) CBS fall preview, 9 p.m., CBS. This is the one place that has much to preview. The other three big networks, combined, have only four new shows (only one of them scripted) this fall. But CBS has a sharp comedy (“DMV,” shown here), two cop dramas (the strong “Boston Blue” and so-so “Sheriff Country”) and a promising music competition (“The Road”). Read more…

Best-bets for Sept. 18: Law & Order & more

1) “Law & Order” (shown here) and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. Next week, these shows begin their 25th and 27th seasons. First, here are reruns of the season-finales, involving the murder of a model and sexual assaults on female psychiatrists. At 10, “L&O” reruns a January episode, focusing on the murder of a music mogul. Read more…