1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Amy Schumer, quickly becoming an all-media star, hosts, with Steve Lacy as music guest. Schumer has been terrific hosting “SNL” twice previously – and in most other things. She has a sketch show, “Inside Amy Schumer,” on Paramount+ … has the comedy-drama “Life & Beth” (shown here) renewed for a second Hulu season … and, as co-host, was the best part of the chaotic Academy Awards. Read more…
1) “Young Rock” season-opener, 8:30 p.m., NBC. It’s an odd sort of brew – bits of comedy, scattered alongside a dramatization of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s real past and a fictional version of his future. Tonight’s comedy parts come early (with Randall Park in an awful talk show), then retreat. We see rough moments in the wrestling careers of Johnson as a young man (shown here) and his dad. And in the final minute, we jump ahead to a time after his failed 2032 run for president. Read more…
1) “Welcome to Flatch” and “Call Me Kat,” 9:02 and 9:30 p.m., Fox. We’ll be watching “Kat” on the next four Thursdays, for the final bits from Leslie Jordan (shown here in an upcoming episode), the tiny actor who died Oct. 24, at 67. Alongside it, the inconsistent “Flatch” has a fairly good story: Last week, Barb (Jaime Pressly, 45) started a torrid affair with young Shrub. Now his cousin Kelly tries to break them up by transforming drab, dull Beth into a flashy mini-Barb. Read more…
1) “Nature: Woodpeckers: The Hole Story,” 8 p.m., PBS. We could all learn from woodpeckers’ drive and diligence. They dot a tree with holes, fill each with a nut, then keep checking to make sure they have the right fit; they also assign a sentry to oust intruders. Eggs are hatched in a group home, with everyone – related to the chicks or not – helping the feeding. This fascinating hour has humor, warmth and some remarkable, in-the-nest photography. Read more…
1) “The Rain People” (1969), 8 p.m ET, Turner Classic Movies. Few people saw this drama, with Francis Coppola, 30, directing James Caan, 29. Three years later, LOTS of people saw their “Godfather.” Now TCM has a tribute to Caan (show here with Shirley Knight in “Rain People”), who died in July at 82. “Thief” (1981), at 10:15, is an acclaimed action film Michael Mann made before “Miami Vice.” Also: “Cinderella Liberty” (1973), “Freeebie and the Bean” (1974) and “Slither” (1973) at 12:15, 2:30 and 4:30 a.m. Read more…
1) Halloween finale, everywhere. After a month of overkill, there’s one more day. “Dancing With the Stars” (8 p.m., Disney+) has a Halloween theme, with teams dancing to “Heads Will Roll” and “The Witches are Back.” Then “Quantum Leap” (10 p.m., NBC) has Ben (shown here) jump into a priest’s body on Halloween. In daytime, Kelly Clarkson sings “Monster Mash” on her syndicated show and Ray Parker Jr. does “Ghostbusters” on CBS’ “The Talk.” Read more…
1) “The Simpsons,” 8 p.m., Fox. Last week, “Simpsons” took a slight detour, with a half-hour take-off on “It.” Now it’s back for the 33rd – yes, 33rd – annual “Treehouse of Horror,” with three wonderfully weird stories. There are take-offs on two films — “The Babadook” and (in a charming anime style, shown here) “Death Note,” plus a “Westworld” that actually has a heroic Homer. The results are too gory for some viewers, but a delight for others. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. After pausing for a rerun, “SNL” has its fourth new episode in five weeks. The opener was disappointing, but the next two have been fairly good. Here’s the second straight new one to have the host double as music guest. On Oct. 15, it was Megan Thee Stallion; now Jack Harlow (shown here), 24, has his first turn as host and second as music guest. Read more…
1) “Dia de los Muertos,” 9 p.m., PBS. Here’s a fine way to celebrate Day of the Dead (four days early) – or any day. Three great bands – Los Lobos, Ozomatli and the female mariachi quartet Flor de Tolache (shown here) – perform in an underground Tennessee club, before a costumed crowd. You’ll hear spectacular vocals (mostly in Spanish), soaring brass, driving percussion and gifted guitarists, The two-group finale will wake the dead and delight the living. Read more…
1) “Welcome to Flatch,” 9:02 p.m., Fox. For the second straight night, Halloween episodes fill the line-up. In this one, a trip to the psychic brings opposite reactions: Cheryl feels cursed; Barb (Jamie Pressly, shown here) suddenly has fresh lust – in a surprising direction. It’s a so-so episode, but has a big finish … leading into “Call Me Kat,” complete with a costume party. This will be one of the final five episodes to include Leslie Jordan, who died Monday (see separate story) at 67 Read more…
