Daily Best Bets

1) “Coroner” debut, 9 p.m., CW. Filling holes in its schedule, CW buys shows from overseas, some goofy (“Killer Camp,” “Task Master”) or bland (“Fridge Wars”) or fairly good (“Burden of Truth”). But here’s a splendid exception, a smart and well-crafted show, based on a series of novels. It starts with a life-changing moment for Dr. Jenny Cooper (Serinda Swan, shown here); then we flash forward. She has a new look and a new job, as Toronto’s coroner. The first case – at a youth detention center – is a good one. Read more…

1) “World of Dance,” 10 p.m., NBC. There are 12 acts left and only four spots in the finals. Tonight, six of the acts go for two of the spots. There are two talented soloists, plus groups ranging from the high-energy Grvmnt (shown here) to three guys who mainly just use hands and arms. It’s varied and entertaining. Read more…

1) “The Bachelor: The Greatest Season – Ever!” 8-11 p.m., ABC. This week, TV notes the shows that transformed its summers. On Tuesday, NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” celebrates its 15th anniversary; on Wednesday, CBS’ “Big Brother” celebrates its 20th year (and 22nd edition) by starting its second “all-star” edition. And here’s a look at “Bachelorette,” which has been a summertime show for the past dozen years. Tonight looks back at Ali Fedotowsky (sh0wn here), in the summer of 2010. Read more…

1) “Taskmaster” debut, 9 p.m., CW. These are games we rarely try: Make a ventriloquist dummy from odd objects … Bite doughnuts off a line, so they fall into your pail … Play hide-and-seek at a railroad yard … And bring a potent smell from home. Alex Horne created and writes this oddity, but works as the semi-silent sidekick to the flashier host, Greg Davies. (They’re shown here.) An American version had a one-season run on Comedy Central, but these are the original British episodes, which are weirdly likable. Read more…

(Here are the five TV best-bets for Saturday, Aug. 1; feel free to use in any form, all or some, print and/or web)

1) Basketball, all day, ESPN. On the third day of the rebooted season, we get a four-game marathon. It’s Heat-Nuggets at 1 p.m ET, Jazz-Thunder at 3:30, Pelicans-Clippers at 6 and Lakers-Raptors at 8. That collides with the second weekend of baseball; at 7:15 ET, Fox has Red Sox-Yankees or (in some regions) Astros-Angels. And on Sunday, basketball moves to ABC.
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1) “Little Women” (2019), 8 p.m., Starz. This story is perfect for its time – and any other time. It was admired in 1868; 150 years later, PBS viewers put it No. 8 on their favorite-novels list. Jo March, wise and determined, came alive in 1933 (Katharine Hepburn), ‘49 (June Allyson), ‘94 (Winona Ryder), 2018 (Maya Hawke) and here. This won an Oscar for its costumes and nominations for best picture, its script (by talented director Greta Gerwig) and Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh, as Jo and Amy. Read more…

1) Basketball return, 6:30 and 9 p.m. ET, TNT. Life may finally be better for sports fans. Baseball starts its second week and basketball resumes its broken season. It starts with the New Orleans Pelicans (hoping that powerhouse Zion Williamson, shown here) is healthy and ready to play), then has the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers. Those names seem problematic, of course, because Los Angeles has no lakes and Utah has little jazz. One team moved from New Orleans, which has great jazz; another moved from Minnesota, which has great (or, at least, really good) lakes. Read more…

1) “Ultimate Tag” season-finale, 9 p.m., Fox. To high-octane shows wrap up simultaneously. One (“Bulletproof,” listed next) is scripted; this one is action-reality. On a three-dimensional course, tag pros — really — chase contestants (shown here). All are top athletes, as are the hosts – J.J., Watt (named three times as the NFL’s top defensive player) and his brothers (also football pros), T.J. and Derek. Read more…

1) “Tell Me a Story,” 9 p.m., CW. After two years on CBS All Access, this gets a shot at a broadcast audience. It’s a good one, even if it doesn’t do what it claims – putting a modern twist on three fairy tales. That link is weak, but all three stories slowly seize our attention. One – with the always-terrific James Wolk (shown here) nudging his girlfriend toward marriage and family – ends the hour powerfully. The others have talented newcomers Danielle Campbell and Davi Santos in troubled lives. Read more…

1) “POV: Advocate,” 10 p.m., PBS (check local listings). Americans have savored stories of lawyers who make the impossible fight. Now here’s an extreme: Lea Tsemel (shown here), 75, was once a volunteer Israeli soldier, believed to be the first Jewish woman to reach the Wailing Wall. For generations, she has represented Palestinians who are accused of terrorism. “We always lose,” she once said. Still, there are slivers of triumph here. It’s a tough but solid hour, with English sub-titles. Read more…