1) “American Masters,” 9 p.m., PBS. These days, people keep seeing (and re-seeing) Raul Julia in the two “Addams Family” (shown here) films. But that was just part of a wide-ranging career. Julia arrived from Puerto Rico at 24, ready for Shakespeare and Broadway and talk shows and more. Before his death (at 54, of a stroke after intestinal troubles) he also did passionate roles as Latino activists. Here’s a fond portrait. Read more…
1) “Mr. Inbetween” season-opener, 10 p.m., FX, rerunning at 11. Ray is your average bloke — a caring father, a friend who will help you hide your porn or dispose of a body. He’s also a skilled hit man, which is important tonight (shown here), when he’s asked to check up on two less-skilled guys. There’s a droll feeling here that makes the show fun even when nothing happens; then … well, something happens. That’s followed by a rerun that reminds us to always check the trunk before stealing a car. Read more…
1) “Snowfall” season-finale, 10 p.m., FX, rerunning at 11. The last two weeks have delivered fierce jolts. First, Franklin killed Andre, the honest neighborhood cop. Then Melody – Andre’s daughter, Franklin’s former girlfriend – shot Franklin three times, leaving him for dead. Will he survive? Where does the show go from here? Viewers will have to wait until the final minutes to find out. Much of this hour – frustrating, yet fascinating – is a “what if” detour. Then key questions are answered. Read more…
1) “Bring the Funny” finale, 10:01 p.m., NBC. This started with 40 acts – stand-up comedians, sketch groups, even offbeat “variety acts.” Now it has a final five going for $250,000. One, announced tonight, is the “save” by viewers’ vote; the others are two stand-ups (Taccara Williams, shown here, and Ali Siddiq), plus a sketch act (The Chris & Paul Show) and a musical singing trio called Lewberger. Read more…
1) “The Big Bang Theory,” 9:30 p.m., CBS. Some great shows — “Seinfeld” and “Sopranos” and such – have had so-so finals, but not this time. TV’s best comedy departed with wit, warmth and more. Here’s the first half (shown here), with Sheldon and Amy nervously awaiting Nobel news; the rest is next week.. Read more…
1) “Country Music: Live at the Ryman,” 8-10 p.m., PBS. Next Sunday, Ken Burns’ brilliant “Country Music” begins. First, here’s a great concert — country’s best songs, done superbly. Many are jet-paced: Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill and other gifted instrumentalists go high-octane. But there are also ballads, sung with heartbreaking passion – a Johnny Cash one by his daughter Roseanne … a Hank Williams one by his granddaughter Holly (shown here in a previous concert) … “Crazy,” sung with stunning power by Rhiannon Giddens. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. As a first-time host, Halsey reflected on when she was a Jersey girl named Ashley Frangipane, watching “SNL” every week. Now, at 24, she’s a mono-named star – and an impressive one. As music guest(shown here) in this rerun, Halsey had some Gaga-esque moments, offering visual and vocal splendor. And as host, she blended into sketches well. It was a night that had a so-so start, then soared, including some clever satires of politicians with blackface pasts. Read more…
1) “Live From Lincoln Center,” 9-10:30 p.m., PBS. OK, this isn’t live AND it isn’t from the Lincoln Center; other than that, the title is quite accurate. We follow the Chamber Music Society, as it visits and performs in iconic Greek settings (shown here). Classical pieces flow from the Ancient Amphitheater of Larissa, the Church of the Taxiarchon in Pelion and more. Read more…
1) Pro football season-opener, 8:20 p.m. ET , NBC. In 1920, the Decatur Staleys were 10-1-2, almost becoming the first champions of what’s now the National Fooball League. They became champs the next year … then changed their name to the Chicago Bears. The ’21 season was also when the Green Bay Packers joined, creating a fierce rivalry. Now the NFL’s 100th season begins with the 199th game between them. The Packers (led by Aaron Rodgers, shown here) lead 97-95-6, but the Bears, who host, are coming off a 12-4 season. Read more…
1) “MasterChef,” 8 p.m., Fox. Two weeks from its finale, this is down to the final six home chefs. There are four men, ranging from Nick DiGiovanni, 22, to Subha Ramiah (shown here), 54, and two women – a stay-at-home mom (Shari Mukherjee, 34) and a former Army interrogator (Sarah Faherty, 31). Now — in the show’s first global episode – they’re flown to Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in London, where they serve 36 guests, including his family. Read more…
