1) “Abbott Elementary,” 8:30 p.m., ABC. On Sunday, this likable show (shown here in a previous season) will be up for a Golden Globe as best comedy series; it’s been nominated for that four straight times. First, here’s a clever mid-season shift: After the pipes broke at the school, classes now resume in a former shopping mall. Read more…
1) “Best Medicine” debut, 8 p.m., Fox. Here’s a second chance to see the start of this excellent comedy-drama. It debuted Sunday after football, now repeats that hour in its regular spot. Remaking an English gem (“Doc Martin”), it sees a surgeon, devoid of people skills, hired as the village doctor. He clashes instantly with the townsfolk, including (shown here) his charmmingly distracted assistant. Read more…
1) “Brilliant Minds” return, 10 p.m., NBC. Van had fallen back in love with his ex-wife. (He’s shown here with their son.) Then came a fierce car crash; ow, after a month-long break, the show resumes with her being rushed to surgery. Some of the reactions of the other driver and by Van are terribly misplaced; then the show gets back on track, wrapping up a pivotal and emotional hour. Read more…
As other shows bounce in and out of the PBS line-up, there’s one we can count on:
“Finding Your Roots” is usually there, With new episodes or reruns, it anchors most Tuesdays at 8 p.m., with Henry Louis Gages (shown here) finding deep insights into stars’ pasts.
The show has already done 11 seasons and 116 episodes, profiling about 232 people. Now a new season starts Jan. 6, adding 10 more hours.
It begin with a sometimes-cheery hour, focusing on actors America Ferrera and Darren Criss. Then things turn serious. Read more…
1) “All Creatures Great and Small” season-opener, 9 p.m. Sunday, PBS. A good series starts its sixth season with its best episode yet, deeply moving on multiple fronts. Since Mrs. Hall’s departure, Siegfried (shown here) finds his home and life in shambles … a sheepdog’s ailment endangers the flock … and World War II is in its sixth year. The final minutes here are superb. Read more…
1) “The Pitt,” 11:30 a.m. to 11:41 p.m, HBO. Here’s the first season in one gulp, portraying an intense, 15-hour hospital shift. The show has already won five Emmys — including best drama and actors Noah Wyle (shown here, second from right), Katherine LaNasa and Shawn Hatosy). Now, four days before the second season on HBO Max, it’s up for four Critics Choice Awards. Read more…
The news was greeted with understandable skepticism.
Fox was planning a reboot of “Doc Martin.” A British gem — droll and dry, quiet and clever — was being remade by the network of Gronk, Ken Jeong, screaming chefs, bulky lifeguards and “Krapopolis.”
The result? This new version (shown here) called “Best Medicine,” doesn’t match the original, but it’s surprisingly good.
You can catch the opener twice — after football (about 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Jan. 4, then at 8 p.m. Tuesday, which becomes its regular spot. Read more…
1) “TV We Love,” 8 and 9 p.m., CW. Long ago, TV gave us black-and-white comedies, done on cramped sets. Many were awful; a few gave sharp scripts to gifted actors. Here are profiles of the great “I Love Lucy” (1951-57), shown here. and the very good “Honeymooners” (1955-56). Read more…
