1) “The Voice,” 8-10 p.m, NBC. This is a perfect time to catch up, as the show prepares for its detour. It had taped its episodes early, trimming to 17 contestants (including Arei Moon, shown here). But that was before the coronavirus was forcing shows to shut down or use social-distancing. Now “Voice” pauses to show what’s happened so far. Next week, the three-week finals will have music from home, “American Idol” style. Read more…
1) “Homeland” series-finale and “Penny Dreadful” debut, 9 and 10:10 p.m., Showtime. One of the all-time great series concludes. Carrie (the superb Claire Danes, shown here in a previous episode) returns to Afghanistan, trying to revive the peace treaty. That’s followed by a stylishly filmed tale set in 1938 Los Angeles, complete with Nazis, old Hollywood, radio evangelism and the demons of Mexican folklore. That last part is an odd but interesting detour from a strong drama, with the terrific casting of Nathan Lane as a crusty cop. Read more…
1) “Born Wild: The Next Generation,” 8 p.m., ABC. If you missed this Earth Day special Wednesday on cable, catch a quick rerun. Robin Roberts hosts, cutting to scenes worldwide. Chris Hemsworth (yes, Thor) shows us rescued koala cubs in Australia. National Geographic and ABC reporters look for other newborns, including monkeys in Sri Lanka (shown here), whales in Hawaii, lions in Kenya, seals in Canada and black bears in Minnesota. Read more…
1) “International Jazz Day from Australia,” 10 p.m., PBS (check local listings). All those music-from-home specials are fine, but sometimes we need the joy of musicians jamming. Taped a year ago in Melbourne, this includes jazz stars from10 countries, from Russia and the U.S. to Israel and Lebanon. They range from jazz classics to Ledisi (shown here) singing “Try a Little Tenderness” and everyone linking for John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Read more…
1) “Will & Grace” series finale, 9 p.m., NBC, with retrospective at 9:30. A sometimes-great series ends (again) in its usual fashion. This episode is sometimes goofy, sometimes warm, occasionally very funny. One of those occasions comes at the start, with the profoundly pregnant Grace; there’a a Lucy-like feel here. The Jack and Karen scenes are, as usual, too broad; the ones with Will and Grace (shown here) mix humor and human depth. After a decade off, this show returned for three more seasons; we’re glad it did. Read more…
1) “Jane Goodall: The Hope” (shown here), 9 p.m.. and midnight ET, National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild. We glimpse Goodall at 26, pioneering the study of chimps in the wild. And we see her at 86, traveling the globe to promote a love of nature. It’s a warm, upbeat film – and one of three with Goodall, on this 50th anniversary of Earth Day. “Jane” (2017), a lovely film, is noon ET on National Geographic; “She Walks With Apes” – profiling Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birute Galdikas and newer generations – is 9 p.m. ET on BBC America. Read more…
1) “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince,” 9-11 p.m., CBS. Those music-from-home specials have been appreciated, but here’s what we need now – some high-octane, rock spectacle (showh here). Taped Jan. 26 in Los Angeles, this has Prince’s songs performed by top stars – Alicia Keys, John Legend, Beck. Chris Martin, H.E.R., Usher, Juanes, Mavis Staples, Susanna Hoffs, Gary Clark Jr., the Foo Fighters, Earth, Wind & Fire and a merger of Prince’s old colleagues – Sheila E, Morris Day, Time and Revolution. Read more…
1) “Better Call Saul” season-finale, 9 p.m., AMC, rerunning at 11:30. Jimmy really should be used to chane, you know. He changed his business name to Saul … he married Kim … he agreed to haul the $7 million bail money for a drug dealer (for a $100,000 fee), barely surviving with Mike (they’re shown here in a previous episode) after a shoot-out and a desert trek. But the change that stunned him was when Kim gave up her big-money law firm, to work pro bono. Clearly, that’s not his style. Tonight, AMC says, they make a risky move, with tough results. Read more…
1) “God Friended Me,” 8 p.m., CBS. Next week, this likable show ends its two-season run. Tonight’s episode might set that up: Earlier, Miles responded to a “God account” suggestion by helping Rose re-unite with Lt. Freemont. The problem: Now Trevor (Ben Rappaport) says that ruined his life. While trying to help Trevor resolve his feelings for Rose, Miles (shown here) starts pondering his feelings for Cara. Read more…
(Here are the five TV best-bets for Saturday, April 18; feel free to use in any form, all or some, print and/or web)
1) “One World: Together at Home,” 2-8 p.m. on streamers (YouTube, Facebook, etc.), 8-10 p.m. on ABC. CBS, NBC and CW. Here’s a music mega-show, with Lada Gaga lining up top stars, including Taylor Swift (shown here), Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish and Eddie Vedder. Other musicians, working from home, include Alicia Keys, Camila Cabello, John Legend, Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves and more. Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert co-host the network part.
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