Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Feb. 28: Country classics, movie greats

1) “Country Music: Live at Ryman.” 9-11 p.m., PBS (check local listings). Here’s a rerun of a superb concert. Last fall, it preceded Ken Burns’ “Country Music” series, offering great moments. There’s jet-paced instrumental work from Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart (shown here), Vince Gill and more, plus deep emotion – a Johnny Cash song by his daughter Roseanne … a Hank Williams one by his granddaughter Holly … “I Will Always Love You” by Gill … and “Crazy,” sung with stunning power by Rhiannon Giddens. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 27: Lots of drama, on comedy’s big night

1) “Grey’s Anatomy,” 9 p.m., ABC. For four straight weeks, ABC says, this has been Thursday’s most-watched show … if you stick to ages 18-49 and include three days of delayed viewing. The network’s entire night – “Station 19” at 8 p.m., “A Million Little Things” at 10 – does well with young adults. This “Grey’s” should continue that: During a blizzard, Dr. DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti, shown here in a previous episode) volunteers for a life-threatening task, startling Meredith and his sister Carina Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 26: “Trouble” is good, “Party” isn’t

1) “Good Trouble,” 10 p.m., Freeform. What began as a romp – two foster sisters, starting their big-city lives – has become intense … and surprisingly well-played. Tonight, that starts in the lush penthouse where Callie lives with her boyfriend (shown here in a previous episode); a crisis arrives. Also, Mariana probes the e-mail that alleges reverse-sexism at work … Malika is squeezed by family pain … Gael shares his anguish … and Alice finds a brew of sex, comedy and competition. That sounds like a lot, but the writing and the young actors show subtle skill. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 25: Miles masters music

1) “American Masters,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. For starters, this has a glorious soundtrack. Miles Davis (shown here) plays turbo-charged bebop music … then his own, subtler sound … then fusion and more. Alongside that is a life filled with fascinating detours. The son of a prosperous Midwestern dentist, Davis went to New York. He had three marriages, two addictions, one five-year gap. But he kept having comebacks, fueled by talent and creativity. It’s a sprawling story that director Stanley Nelson tells beautifully. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 24: Fantasy time for singers and bachelor

1) “The Voice” opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Blake Shelton is on his own this time. He’s always been able to bounce his jibes off his friend Adam Levine and/or his mate Gwen Stefani. Now neither is here; this is the fifth edition for Kelly Clarkson, third for John Legend and first for Nick Jonas. At first, the two pals dominated; in 13 editions, Shelton — shown here surrounded by Jonas adoration — had six winners and Levine had three. Then Clarkson arrived, winning three of four. Legend also won as a first-timer … which is a good sign for Jonas. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 23: It’s time to call Saul

1) “Better Call Saul” season-opener, 10:05 p.m, AMC. As its fifth season begins, this show wallows in weirdness. Before the opening titles, it has a 13-minute, black-and-white stretch with the former “Saul” hiding out as a mall Cinnabon worker. Then it bounces back to Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk, shown here in a previous episode); he’s molding his identity as Saul, the fast-talking, low-budget lawyer for the guilty, while his wiser girlfriend tries to rein him in. There’s more here, involving Gustavo and drug deals. Much of it disconnected, most is fascinating. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 22: Farewell “Family,” hello honors

1) “Almost Family” finale, 8 and 9 p.m., Fox. One of the season’s more promising shows never caught on. Juggling serious drama with light humor, it ended up with neither audience. The story started with an esteemed fertility doctor (Tim Hutton) arrested for secretly substituting his own sperm. His daughter (Brittany Snow, shown at right) reluctantly bonded with two of her half-sisters, Edie and Roxy. Now his trial begins, as Edie faces an ethical disclosure and Roxy plans a drastic move. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 21: Farewell to “Fresh,” country

1) “Fresh Off the Boat” series finale, 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. This began six years ago with the real life of Eddie Huang. In the 1980s, his family moved from Washington, D.C., to Orlando … where he and his brothers felt like the only Chinese kids. That’s reflected in tonight’s first episode: The boys return to Washington to dig up their time capsule. In the second, Eddie wants to become a chef (which he did do in real life); then his mother sees his high SAT scores and tries to change his mind. (Shown here are Hudson Yang and Randall Park, as Eddie and dad.) Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 20: Everything’s gonna be great

(Here are the five TV best-bets for Thursday, Feb. 20; feel free to use in any form, all or some, print and/or web)

1) “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay,” 8:30 p.m., Freeform. This may be one of the best half-hour episodes this season. It’s also a weird one, not for everyone. Nicholas has just hooked up his Skype; now his mother – in an Australia hospital – looms over his living room on a giant screen. He’s in the U.S., watching his teen-aged half-sisters … who arrive with friends (shown here in a previous episode), dogs and crises. It’s a big episode, centering on a long-shot dream of Matilda, who’s autistic. Stick aroound for the great closing minutes. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 19: CBS is losing its “Minds”

1) “Criminal Minds” series finale (shown here), 9 and 10 p.m, CBS. For 15 seasons, the team has chased grisly killers. That apparently puts “Minds” No. 5 among all-time dramas, trailing only “Gunsmoke,” “Lassie” and two editions of “Law & Order.” This final mission involves Everett Lynch, known as “The Chameleon,” who preys on middle-aged women. He’s eluded the team three times, once almost killing Rossi. Now Lynch gives Dr. Reid hallucinations of ghosts from his past. Every finale needs that. Read more…