Mike Hughes

News and Quick Comments

The first new shows: 1 out of 2 works fine

The first two new shows of the TV season are coming, bearing responsibility.
After a slow spring and a slack summer, viewers need something good. Now the fall season begins with:
— “English Teacher” (shown here), at 10 p.m. Mondays on FX, starting Sept. 2. It’s quite good; once it sheds its early monotone, it leans toward terrific.
— “Universal Basic Guys,” at 8 p.m. for three Sundays (starting Sept. 8) on Fox, before sliding to 8:30 when “The Simpsons” returns on Sept. 29. The opener is mainly for people who are amused when a mistreated chimp rips off the protagonist’s face. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 2, 2024
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 4: killer clown and strong streamers

1) “The Real CSI Miami” season-finale, 9 p.m., CBS. A young mom was killed by someone in a clown costume, in front of her son. Almost 30 years later, DNA cracked the case; Lou Sessa (shown here) and other agents discuss the case. That hour (originally set for last week) is the season’s last new episode. But at 10, a rerun relates the murder of heiress/patron Jill Halliburton Su. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 2, 2024
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 3: Tran, “Talent” time

1) The Bachelorette” finale, 8-11 p.m., ABC. Jenn Tran (shown here) is down to her final two guys. Tran, 26, who is near her Master’s degree to become a physician’s assistant, might choose Marcus Shoberg, 31, a former Army Ranger, or Devin Strader, 28, who owns a freight company. Then she’ll reflect in “After the Rose.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 1, 2024
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 2: Crisp comedy debuts

1) “English Teacher” debut, 10 and 10:32 p.m., FX; rerunning at 11:06. In a liberal sub-section of Texas (suburban Austin), Evan is a proudly gay teacher. Most people are fine with it, but issues appear: Kissing his boyfriend? A drag show? This sounds heavy, but writer-star Brian Alvarez (left) keeps it funny, with a great supporting cast. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 31, 2024
Stories

Quirky series leads (slowly) to cable success

Imagine you’re a young writer/actor, long on ideas and short on opportunity.
You could take the approach of Brian Jordan Alvarez. He made a quirky, low-budget digital series; praise and a big-time cable series followed promptly.
Well, semi-promptly. Alvarez’s “English Teacher” (shown here) debuts at 10 p.m. ET Monday (Sept. 2) on FX … eight years after his “The Gay and Wonderful Life of Caleb Gallo” was named the year’s best web series.
“I had sort of tried to make my way through the studio system,” said Alvarez, 37. “And I had failed in a variety of ways. I really couldn’t figure out how to get through it.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 28, 2024
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Aug. 29: epics — “Rings” and football

1) Football. The first full day of the college season is Saturday, but lots of teams are starting early, including three at 8 p.m. ET on national TV. Fox has North Carolina (shown here), 8-5 last season, and Minnesota, 6-7 … ESPN has Colorado, with the father-son Sanders duo, and North Dakota State … CBS Sports Network has Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 27, 2024