1) “American Masters,” 9 p.m., PBS. At 21, Marlee Matlin was the youngest best-actress Oscar-winner (for “Children of a Lesser God,” shown here) and the first deaf winner. She began a torrid and toxic romance, faced some rough times …. then settled into a long acting career, long marriage and more. This film starts poorly (34 minutes before the chronology begins), then becomes compelling.
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1) “DMV” debut, 8:30 p.m., CBS. In the “Superstore” style, it’s a workplace comedy that find fun little bits with the patrons and longer stories with the staff. Since this is the Department of Motor Vehicles, the patrons are far-ranging — an entitled jerk, a scary driver, a clueless oldster. The likable staff is led by Harriet Dyer and (shown here, center) Tim Meadows. Read more…
1) “Matlock” season-opener, 8:30 p.m., CBS (but 8 p.m. on the West Coast. Last season ended with Matty finding the key information: It was “Senior” (Beau Bridges) who ordered that the drug study be buried; his son Julian (Jason Ritter) did it. Now Julian’s ex-wife has the study and Matty (shown here) wants to go public. Tonight and Thursday, strong hours set the tone for this second season. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. On Oct. 11, 1975, “SNL” debuted with a busy night — three comedians, two music acts, a film, Muppets … and lots of future stars. Now, exactly 50 years later, this season’s second episode (and, by one count, the 995th overall) is hosted by Amy Poehler (shown here earlier this week), with Role Model as music guest. Read more…
1) “Blue Bloods” finale rerun, 10 p.m., CBS. The final season ended with potential chaos for the police commissioner (Tom Selleck, shown here_ and his kin: New York’s gangs linking to demand amnesty for prisoners. That reruns today, a week before the debut of a well-crafted spin-off, “Boston Blue.” This finale also has key moments in the marriages of Erin and of her brother Jamie; also, Joe finally meets his cousin. Read more…
1) “Grey’s Anatomy” (shown here) season-opener, 10 p.m., ABC. The 22nd season begins for what is the third-longest-running primetime drama (behind two “Law & Order” shows) in U.S. TV history. And it begins in mid-crisis: Last season ended with an explosion in the hospital. After waiting five months, viewers now see a scramble to save patients and doctors. Read more…
1) “Secrets of the Dead” season-opener, 10 p.m., PBS. At its peak, Rome’s Colosseum (shown here) held more than 60,000 people. At its moral depth, it had gladiators fighting, prisoners being executed, African animals being slain. Here’s a fascinating look at the structure itself Read more…
1) “The Lowdown,” 9 p.m., FX, rerunning at 10:11. Last week, Lee’s daughter (shown here with him) found the essays of the late Dale Washberg. Now we hear some of them, recited by Dale (Tim Blake Nelson) and read Lee (Ethan Hawke). We’re propelled into action, emotion and great characters — especially Jeanne Tripplehorn as Dale’s widow; the final minutes are potent. Read more…
1) “Independent Lens,” 10 p.m., PBS. Phil Sharp (shown here) grew up in rural Kentucky, where only 10 percent of classmates went to college. He stuttered and was dyslexic; he was, an educator says, “off-kilter, undaunted, unapologetic.” With homespun optimism, this compelling film says, he led science breakthroughs that have saved 20 million lives on Covid alone. Read more…
1) “A Grammy Salute to Cyndi Lauper,” 8-10 p.m., CBS. In 1983, Lauper (shown here) told us “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” That was in a Grammy-winning album that also had “She Bop” and “Time After Time.” More hits followed, led by “True Colors” and the Tony-winning “Kinky Boots.” She performs here with Cher, John Legend, Sza, Mickey Guyton and more. Read more…
