1) “The Conners” series finale, 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. An oft-terrific series (shown here) concludes after 16 seasons, spread over 35 years. It started as “Roseanne,” dropped Roseanne Barr (and killed her character) and persisted. The finale brings key relationships, a lawsuit and some fond farewells. Read more…
1) Earth Day, streaming networks. This is the day for streamers to debut nature films. There’s “Sea Lions of the Galapagos” on Disney+ and “Kiss the Ground” on Amazon Prime, each with a companion film. Also, Netflix has “Pangolin,” Apple TV+ has the new “Jane” season and Peacock and Hulu have the “Americas” series (shown here), a gem that just finished its NBC run. Read more…
1) “America’s Most Wanted” season-opener, 9:02 p.m., Fox. Back in 1988, Fox was a mini-network, airing only two nights a week. It debuted “AMW,” with John Walsh (whose son was kidnapped and killed) profiling suspects. The show was canceled after 23 years, then revived often. Now it’s back, hosted by Walsh (shown here), 79, and his son Callahan. Read more…
1) “Secrets of the Penguins” (shown here), 8-11 p.m., National Geographic. Here’s wildlife filmmaking at its finest – brimming with information and emotion. We see adult penguins from 4-foot-tall to 18 inches, from the Namib desert to the Antarctic ice. We see patience, anger and clever strategies, from herding anchovies to stealing fish out of the bill of a pelican. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 8 p.m., CBS. The world isn’t quite ready for Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) on a jury (shown here). A lawyer herself, she’s smarter than the prosecutor, way smarter than the rumpled defense attorney … and way more honest that the judge. He’s played by Michael Emerson (Preston’s husband), in a terrific rerun that sets up next Thursday’s so-so episode. Read more…
1) “NCIS: Sydney” and “Fire Country,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Both shows are a week from their season-finales. (Yes, they’ll be back.) The Sydney team (shown here) faces searing heat, while probing a Marine’s death during a joint training exercise. Then a routine house fire escalates, putting a firefighter in danger. Read more…
1) “Matlock” season-finale, 9-11 p.m., CBS. Matty (shown here) finally told Olympia the truth: She’s been lying, to learn which man – Olympia’s ex-husband or his dad – buried a drug report that could have saved lives. Amid a fractured friendship, they now push ahead. It’s a fairly strong ending to a great season. Still, it leaves way too much hanging until next year. Read more…
1) “Sherlock & Daughter” debut, 9 p.m., CW. A quick-witted American feels she’s Sherlock Holmes’ daughter. He disagrees, but needs her on a case. It’s a smart story that starts (shown here) when she has a quick friendship with a rich girl. Some things are settled next week; others continue for six more weeks. Blu Hunt (“The Originals,” “The New Mutants”), who has Lakota and Apache roots, is impressive alongside David Thewlis. Read more…
1) “The Cleaning Lady,” 8 p.m., Fox. This show has killed two interesting FBI agents; now it has its best character yet. An assistant district attorney, he brims with false folksiness, Columbo-style. Perfectly played by Robert Cicchini (shown here), he squeezes Thony … who has much to hide, including a mercy killing. It’s a terrific episode, with a big twist near the end. Read more…
1) “Paradise,” 10 p.m., ABC. Last week’s opener had some shell-shocks: The president was killed, his mistress leads the probe, his top secret-service agent is a suspect … and (viewers learned late) this is in a post-apocalyptic bunker city. “Paradise” is from the “This Is Us” duo of writer-producer Dan Fogelman and Sterling K. Brown (shown here) as the agent. Read more…
