1) “Dark Winds” season-finale, 9 p.m., AMC. Four potent stories wrap up in a deeply moving hour. Joe (shown here) chases the killer who haunts a terrified teen. He agonizes over the FBI agent pursuing him … and over his wife, who left when his agony became overwhelming. Also, his ex-deputy is on a one-person battle with a cartel. It’s a superb finish. Read more…
1) “NCIS: Origins,” 10 p.m. today, CBS. It’s tough when you’re investigated for murder … and tougher when you actually did it. That’s the situation for Gibbs, after what he considered a righteous killing. Now we see the crisis through the eyes of Cecelia (known as Lala, shown here), his intense colleague. It’s a gripping and well-made hour that includes a closing jolt. Read more…
After a two-week pause, the 50th “Saturday Night Live” season is ready for its big finish.
Beginning May 3, it will have new episodes hosted by Quinta Brunson, Walton Goggins and Scarlett Johansso (shown here). Details include: Read more…
1) “I Am Burt Reynolds” (2020), 8 p.m., CW. Reynolds (shown here) chose Florida State because it matched his prime interests – girls and football. He excelled at both, until two injuries forced a detour. He transformed into an action hero with a breezy sense of humor; for five straight years, he was No. 1 at the box office. It was a fascinating life, skillfully described here. Read more…
When TV was in its glory days, powerhouse dramas would collide – especially on Sundays.
Now we get a reminder: At 9 p.m. April 27, two shows have superb finales.
It’s the season-finale for AMC’s “Dark Winds,” which will be back, and the series-finale for PBS’ “Wolf Hall” (shown here), which won’t. Both are worth catching: Read more…
This is one of those small miracles of democracy,
“In the library,” Crosby Kemper said, “everyone is equal.”
The concept is wondrously simple: You find books and take them home. “Riches that were not ordinarily available to the common man” are there for anyone, Abby Van Slyck said.
Kemper (a librarian) and Van Slyck (a historian) are among the people in a compelling documentary. “Free For All: The Public Library” airs at 10 p.m. Tuesday (April 29) on PBS, under the “Independent Lens” banner Read more…
1) “Fire Country” season-finale, 9-11 p.m., CBS. Two new episodes conclude a strong season. At 9 p.m., a fire erupts at a gas station; Manny (shown here) and Bode jump into action. At 10, fierce winds push a wildfire toward the town and toward the care home where Walter Leone (the retired fire chief, who is Vince and Luke’s father and Bode’s grandfather) lives. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. This season has had a mental duel between Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) and a corrupt judge (Michael Emerson, Preston’s husband; they’re shown here). It’s been a delight, but now it concludes in an oddly unsatisfying way. Stick around, though: At 10 is a better episode, a rerun with Vanessa Bayer as a Christmas mogul. Read more…
“The Conners” (shown here) says farewell Wednesday (April 23), ending a journey that’s been long, bumpy and sometimes wonderful.
A good show in its final years, a great one in its early years, it’s a key piece of TV history.
When this started (as “Roseanne”) in 1988, TV comedies had seemed unaware of blue-collar America. Sure, there was Jackie Gleason in “Honeymooners” and (briefly) “Life of Riley,” but not much else.
Then Roseanne Barr’s show rippled with blue-collar life. The fictional Roseanne and Dan (John Goodman) were getting by, through changes in jobs and in life. Read more…
1) “The Conners” series finale, 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. An oft-terrific series (shown here) concludes after 16 seasons, spread over 35 years. It started as “Roseanne,” dropped Roseanne Barr (and killed her character) and persisted. The finale brings key relationships, a lawsuit and some fond farewells. Read more…
