Mike Hughes

1) “Last Man Standing” series-finale, 9 and 9:30 p.m., Fox. It’s been a strong run for this comedy – nine seasons, spanning 10 years and two networks. The farewell, however, reminds us of that this is a very ordinary show, with forced humor salvaged (barely) by likable characters. The 9 p.m. episode – a “camping boot camp” – is so-so. The 9:30 one gives some awful lines to Jay Leno, but also has its moments, using a stolen truck (shown here) as a metaphor for a canceled show. The truck, at least, is a classic. Read more…

1) “Chicago P.D.,” 10 p.m., NBC. Easily the best of NBC’s three Chicago shows, “P.D.” (shown here in a previous episode) offers a taut hour that spills into next week’s season-finale. Samantha Miller (Nicole Ari Parker) is a police reformer who joined the show this season; now her son needs help, in what seems like a quick case, then grows. One bit of inaction strains credibility; also, viewers will be disappointed that this is the rare “P.D.” episode that doesn’t wrap things up. Still, it’s a strong, solid hour that will bring them back next week. Read more…

1) “Prodigal Son” series finale, 9 p.m., Fox. This gothic drama ends in its fashion – deep, dark, nasty, sometimes wildly over the top. At the core is Martin (Michael Sheen), a surgeon and serial killer. Last week, we learned that his prison doctor (Catherine Zeta-Jones,shown here with Sheen) is just as cruel. After he escaped, she took him hostage … then added his son, a police profiler. Now the guys have escaped and find a convenient case to solve. There’s much more, in an hour that combines brilliant acting and fiercely excessive plot twists.
Read more…

1) “American Experience: Billy Graham,” 9-11 p.m. today, PBS. Graham (shown here) was a Southern farm kid, 6-foot-2, with blue eyes, a strong voice and an amorous nature. He quit Bob Jones College because he wanted to date girls. At another Bible school he met a missionary’s daughter; they were married 64 years, with five children. Graham was a classic evangelist, this terrific film says, but overstepped political lines. The Watergate tapes were “a crushing experience,” triggering apologies and moderation. Read more…

1) “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” finale, 9 p.m., NBC. If this show isn’t renewed, then … well, it will have had a great series-finale. And if it does return? For the second straight year, it’s given us an amazing season-finale. Zoey (shown here in a previous episode) – who hears people’s thoughts via pop songs – is with Simon now, but has strong feelings for the departing Max. That leads to some vibrant song-and-dance moments at the nightclub … and then to the surprising (and rather superb) finish, Read more…