1) “The Good Doctor” series-finale, 10 p.m., ABC. For seven years, Freddie Highmore (shown here) has built a subtly moving portrait of Shaun, an autistic doctor with a brilliant mind, troubled past and good soul. He’s become a husband, father and respected surgeon. Now he and the others face one of their toughest cases, while pondering their futures. Read more…
1) “The Voice,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. After an opening song by Keith Urban, the five finalists each do a ballad and an uptempo song. John Legend has Nathan Chester, 27, and Bryan Oleson, 49; Reba McEntire has Asher HaVon 31, and Josh Sanders, 35; Dan + Shay have Karen Woldrup (shown here), 36. Their performances will be recapped at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the finale from 9-11 p.m. Read more…
1) “American Idol,” 8-11 p.m., ABC. The finale has two Southerners – Will Mosely, 23, from Georgia, and Jack Blocker (shown here), 25, from Texas – and Abi Carter, 21. Both guys auditioned with original songs; Carter did a Billie Eilish song, which fits; like Eilish, she’s a Californian who was home-schooled. Before the results, we’ll hear Jason Mraz. Seal, CeCe Winans, Cody Johnson, Wynonna Judd and more. Read more…
1) “The Voice” finale, 8-10 p.m. today and 8-11 p.m. Tuesday, NBC. Tonight, the final five each perform a ballad and an uptempo song. John Legend has Nathan Chester, 27, and Bryan Oleson (shown here), 49; Reba McEntire has Asher HaVon 31, and Josh Sanders, 35; Dan + Shay have Karen Woldrup, 36. On Tuesday, after music by Jelly Roll, Thomas Rhett, The Black Keys, Lainey Wilson, etc. — there’s a winner. Read more…
This fall, the CW network will continue its multiple personality.
Twice a week, it will seem like a traditional broadcast network, with back-to-back dramas. (including “Sullivan’s Crossing,s’ shown here. On other days, it will be more like a cable network, with wrestling, sports, movies and game shows.
That’s part of the transition for the network once known for sleek superheroes. The new owners canceled most of the previous slate and went for cost-efficiency, including dramas co-produced in other countries.
For this fall, that means Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live” season-finale, 11:29 p.m., NBC. The 49th season concludes and “SNL” starts preparing for a big-deal 50th. Tonight, Jake Gyllenhaal – now beefed up for his “Road House” remake (shown here) on Amazon Prime – has his third turn as host. Sabrina Carpenter – a former Disney star, now 25 – has her first as music guest. Read more…
The Pac-12 conference now has its own football deal with a broadcast network.
It’s not a big network, but then again, it’s not a big conference. It only has two teams, Oregon State (shown here) and Washington State.
We’ll pause here, for the benefit of idealists who assumed the Pac-12 has 12 teams. These are the same people who think the Big Ten has 10.
(It has 14 now, but in August will have 18, none of them specializing in math.) Read more…
1) “Audra McDonald at the London Palladium,” 9-10:30 p.m., PBS. Broadway’s all-time leader (with six Tonys) fills the night with show tunes, backed by a 40-piece orchestra. Some viewers will wish she spent less time in the upper octaves. Still, McDonald (shown here in a previous concert) finds lots of fun and has powerhouse moments, including several songs about diversity, plus the triumphant “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Read more…
ABC will fix any doctor shortage this fall. Its comedy gap, however, keeps growing.
The network’s “The Good Doctor” wraps its seventh and final season next Tuesday (May 21). But “Doctor Odyssey” will arrive in the fall, sharing Thursdays with “Grey’s Anatomy” and “9-1-1.”
But comedies? “Abbott Elementary” (shown here) will be all alone, surrounded by non-fiction on Wednesdays. One comedy (“Not Dead Yet”) has been canceled; another (“The Conners”) will wait until mid-season for its final season.
Lots of other shows will be with it. “Will Trent” and “The Rookie” will have 18-episode seasons, but will be waiting with “The Conners” and several reality shows. Read more…
1) “Young Sheldon” series-finale (shown here), 8 and 8:30 p.m., CBS. This is one of the best hours of the season, or of any season. It manages the rare feat of being funny and subtly moving. Propelling it is the death, a week ago, of Sheldon’s father. The reactions vary widely, bur perfectly fit each wonderfully complex character. As a bonus, the second half-hour peeks at the nowadays Sheldon and Amy. Read more…
