1) “Walker” series-finale, 8 p.m,, CW. After 13 seasons – nine as “Walker, Texas Ranger” and four as this prequel (shown here) – this ends. “You can’t kill it with a stick,” co-creator Paul Haggis used to say. But you can with economics: The new CW owners want lower-budget shows. The finale brings people together for Walker’s son’s graduation. Read more…
1) CMA Fest,” 8-11 p.m.,. ABC. Each year,this is one of TV’s summer highlights, culled from four nights of Nashville concerts. This time, Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde host, with music from Kelsea Ballerini (shown here), Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson, Clint Black, Carly Pearce, Post Malone and more. Read more…
1) “POV: King Coal,” 10 p.m., PBS. Here’s a documentary (shown here) that has drawn praise and awards at film festivals, including a Sundance nomination. It uses a personal approach, focusing on generations in coal country. Read more…
1) “Orphan Black: Echoes” opener, 10 p.m., AMC and BBC America. Here are two gifted actresses. One (Keeley Hawes) knows a secret; the other (Krysten Ritter) doesn’t know anything, including her own identity. Then this becomes a brisk adventure, with Ritter (shown here) running from and toward unknown forces. It’s a great start. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. On Thursday, the entire third season of the Emmy-winning “The Bear” will debut on Hulu. Now “SNL” reruns the hour hosted by Ayo Edebiri, who has already won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for “Bear.” Jennifer Lopez (left, with Edebiri and Heidi Gardner) is the music guest.
1) Olympic track-and-field trials begin, 6:30 p.m., USA Network, 9 p.m., NBC, both also on Peacock. This is what used to dominate the Olympics, filled with running and leaping (shown here). It continues through Monday, pauses, then returns June 27, Also today: swimming at 5:30 p.m. on USA and 8 on NBC, swimming and diving in the daytime on Peacock. Read more…
1) “Masters of Illusion” return, 9 p.m., CW. Two reality shows have ended and CW lightens up on Thursdays. At 8 and 8:30 p.m., it has “Conners” reruns from 2021. At 9, this show is back from a five-month pause. In a brisk half-hour, Dean Cain (shown here) introduces magicians Chipper Lowell, Reza, Eric Eaton. Joel Meyers, Adam Wylie and Trigg Watson. Read more…
1) “Hope in the Water” opener, 9 p.m.,, PBS. Around the world, people find ways to make oceans more productive. In Puerto Rico, they turn squid into a treat. In Hawaii, the idea of a natural fish reservoir is revived. And on an island, population 4,600, two long-time divers (shown here) won a long struggle with the Scottish government to create a “no-take” zone; aquatic life revived. Read more…
1) “Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution” opener, 9 p.m., PBS. On the surface, disco was all flash and fun. At its core, this documentary says, were gays battered by bias and forming an alternate world. The next couple Tuesdays may get to the fun part – remember Travolta (shown here), BeeGees, etc.? – but this opener offers a fairly somber view of the early days. Read more…
1) American Film Institute lifetime award, 10 p.m., TNT. The first 48 winners have included lots of Americans and Englishmen, plus ones from Germany, Scotland, Austria-Hungary and the Bahamas … but none from Australia. Now that’s rectified. Nicole Kidman (shown here) did Aussie TV at 16; 40 years later, she has an Oscar (“The Hours”), an Emmy and more. Read more…
