1) “The Simpsons,” Disney+. Yes, a new episode is arriving in June — and for streaming-only. Disney+ is celebrating the fact that it now has all 37 seasons of the show, plus the movie and shorts. This one has Marge (shown here in a previous episode) imagine life with alternate Homers; there will be two more new episodes this summer. Read more…
1) “Becoming Katharine Graham,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. A rich socialite, Graham (shown here) was a friend of Kennedys and Reagans. Then her life transformed at 46; her husband’s death left her in charge of the Washington Post. She steered it through Watergate, the Pentagon Papers and more. It’s a great story and (despite an awful music score) an interesting film. Read more…
1) “The Last Twins,” 10p.m., PBS. Judith Richter was a married grad student before spotting a magazine article (shown here) that hinted at her father’s amazing story: In Auschwitz, twins were being studied; older than the others, Emo Spiegel became a big brother and then a protector, walking them to their homelands after liberation. It’s a great story, wrenching at first and then uplifting. Read more…
1) “Grantchester” season-opener, 9 p.m., PBS. For a decade, this has given us some likable villagers (including three crime-solving vicars) and smart stories. Now the 11th and final season starts with a drive-in movie fundraiser, then offers a sharp murder mystery. In eight episodes, this will take the vicar (shown here) and others through times of angst and joy. Read more…
1) UFL championship game, 3 p.m. ET, ABC. It’s the final game of the football season (or, at least, pf the oft-ignored spring season). The Louisville Kings and D.C. Defenders (shown here in red) were only 6-4 and 5-5 during the regular season, but they prevailed in the playoffs; now they collide in Washington, D.C. Read more…
1) World Cup, 3 and 9 p.m. ET, Fox. Here are the Cup openers for two teams with home-field advantage. First, Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 3 p.m. in Toronto; then the U.S. faces Paraguay, at 9 in Los Angeles. (Mexico had its opener Thursday, in Mexico City.) There’s much more soccer ahead (shown here is action from a previous Cup); these are also on Telemundo and stream on Peacock and Fox One. Read more…
1) “Surviving Earth” debut, 8 p.m., NBC. Some 252 million years ago, the Earth was locked in a heat wave. Many creatures died; some (shown here_ persisted, plodding toward the poles and the high ground. It’s a dramatic story, told with great special effects. But attempts to lighten it (special-effect creatures frolicking) seem pointless; leave that part to the superb “Americas,” rerunning at 9. Read more…
1) “The Floor” finale, 8-10 p.m., Fox. There are some wild combinations here — a “wine” category for someone who’s not old enough to drink (shown here, right), a “world religions” one for someone who’s never been in a church. Ultimately, we see the show’s strength and its flaws and unfairness. The strengths prevail, in a fast-paced finish. Read more…
1) “American Experience,” 9 p.m., PBS. For 38 years, this has given us great documentaries, winning 30 Emmys and 14 Peabodys. It was suspended this season (after federal funding cuts), but now it starts a splendid summer of reruns. This one views Woodstock (shown here); due to pledge-periods, some stations will carry it at a different time or night. Then “Experience” movies to Fridays, starting June 19, for multi-parters on George H.W. Bush, John Kennedy and the moon race. Read more…
1) “American Ninja Warrior” season-opener, 9-11 p.m., NBC. The 18th season starts with people who are easy to root for. A teen farmgirl works out by chasing chickens … a cowboy sometimes carries his disabled wife … Kathy Zimmerman (shown here) and her family have a homemade, backyard course. Now re-designed obstacles have all of them swinging and scrambling. Read more…
