Mike Hughes

Best-bets for June 1: Kellie returns to Elvisland

1) “Wedding at Graceland,” 9-11 p.m., Hallmark. Six months ago, “Christmas in Graceland” had two aspiring musicians (Kellie Pickler and Wes Brown, shown here) fall in love at Elvis Presley’s former home, with Elvis’ holiday songs on the soundtrack. It was a ratings hit, so now they’re back … and have just three weeks to plan a Graceland Chapel wedding. There’s lots of Presley here – Priscilla plays herself, Lee Brice sings an Elvis song and we’ll hear more Elvis on the soundtrack. Read more…

Dr. Ruth: A genial pixie emerged from cascades of tragedy

There’s a special quality to Ruth Westheimer.
You could call it puckish or pixie-like or impish. She prefers “joie de vivre” and “zest for life.”
By any name, it’s impressive. Here is a tiny (4-foot-7) woman with a genial face and a quick wit. As milestones approach – a documentary Saturday on Hulu, three days before she tuns 91 – she seems downright joyous, whether giving sex advice or just having fun.
“I tell everybody not to retire, but to rewire,” Westheimer said. “And I’ve been very fortunate that I’m very healthy. I skied until a few years ago.” Read more…

Best-bets for May 31: A double “Blindspot”

1) “Blindspot” season-finale, 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. Let’s be happy with leftovers. The official TV season ended nine days ago, but “Blindspot” still had three episodes left – one last Friday and two tonight. In this first hour, Dominic starts to enact Madeline’s cataclysmic scheme. In the second, the team (including Sullivan Stapleton, shown here, as Weller, tries to stop an attack from spreading. Then the fifth and final season waits until mid-season. Read more…

“Fosse/Verdon”: A moving end to a great mini-series

Earlier, I posted a quickie preview of the “Fosse/Verdon” finale. It didn’t say much, because almost everything was under embargo.
Now that the show has aired, I can start with the obvious: This was a fitting finish to a great mini-series. Sam Rockwell, Michelle Williams and director Tommy Kail did Emmy-worthy work, making us care deeply about a guy (Bob Fosse) we shouldn’t have even liked.Y
ou can catch reruns on FX on the next two Saturday nights — midnight this week, 2 a.m. next week. (Technically, that’s 12 a.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 9.) Read more…

Her brain handles medical miracles (temporarily)

By now, Julianna Margulies should be an expert on medicine and on the law.
She spent six years as a nurse on “ER,” seven as a lawyer on “The Good Wife.” Now the “Hot Zone” mini-series (shown here) has her as the real-life doctor who fought to stop Ebola from spreading into the U.S.
Surely, those “ER” years helped her master the vocabulary. Or not. “It didn’t, sadly, help at all,” Margulies said, “because I don’t have a medical brain.” Read more…

Best bets for May 30: Lotsa basketball, few reruns

1) Basketball finals begin, 9 p.m. ET, ABC, with previews at 8 and 8:30. Sure, this might seem like a mismatch. In 23 previous years, the Toronto Raptors had never reached the finals; Steph Curry (shown here) and the Golden State Warriors – fresh from a semi-finals sweep — have been there the past four years, winning three times. But don’t be so sure: During the regular season, the Raptors had the NBA’s second-best record, trailing only the Bucks … whom they just beat, four games to two. Now they have the home-court advantage. Read more…

As the seasons overlap, TV gets busy

There’s a time (a brief one) when seasons merge.
Baseball meets basketball and hockey; leftovers from the departed TV season overlap with the summer.
All of that is right now. Cable usually rules the summer, but even the five old-line networks are busy. Read more…

Best-bets for May 29: It’s almost rerun-free

1) “The InBetween” debut, 10 p.m, NBC. Tom Hackett is your typical Seattle TV cop, grim and grizzled. Except he’s British and he’s gay and he sips tea and he confers with a young woman who has visions. His new police partner has doubts, but not for long. This sounds odd, but it has strong writing and actors. Paul Blackthorne (“Arrow”), shown here, and Justin Cornwell (“Training Day”) are the cops; Harriet Dyer – whose surprising relationship with a young girl adds a strong jolt – is excellent as their contact. Read more…

Best-bets for May 28: “AGT” is set to rule the summer

1) “America’s Got Talent” opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Now NBC starts its annual bid for summer domination. It has other key shows, but the centerpiece is “AGT” (shown here with Eric Chien auditioning), a perpetual ratings leader. Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel remain, but Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough replace Heidi Klum and Mel B; Terry Crews replaces Tyra Banks as host. Read more…