Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for March 8: tough dramas in cowboy country and beyond

1) “Marshals,” 8 p.m., CBS. For a furious stretch, this is in full military mode — rifles, grenade, trucks, horses and explosions. Surrounding that is lots of macho dialog, some of it sharp and some just repetitive. There’s also a cliche boss, some family warmth (shown here) and a country song. This sort of fits together, but it’s not clear if it can work from week to week. Read more…

Best-bets for March 7: Gosling’s back on “SNL”

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Ryan Gosling is a great guest anywhere, including the Oscars and (shown here) “SNL.” Now he’s the host, three weeks before his “Project Hail Mary” movie opens. It’s his fourth time as host and the first for Gorillaz as the music guest. A week later, Harry Styles will have his second turn in both jobs. Read more…

Best-bets for March 6: time-travel or global baseball

1) “Outlander” (shown here in a previous season) opener, 8 p.m. Starz, rerunning at 9:05 and 10:08. A huge journey — eight seasons, sprawled over 12 years, telling a 225-year time-travel tale — starts its final round. Previous episodes rerun at 6 and 6:59, with Claire guiding Denzell through surgery. Then Jamie finds a disturbing truth and returns Claire to the Ridge, for a surprise. Read more…

Best-bets for March 5: wedding warmth; daddy humor

1) “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” 9 p.m., FX., rerunning at 10:30. This was the wedding the masses speculated about … performed far from their view. In a tiny island chapel, Kennedy and Bissette (shown here in a previous episode) married. In an excellent episode, we see the bride have warm moments with Ethel Kennedy and cold ones with her own mother. Read more…

Best-bets for March 4: top chefs, heroic animals

1) “America’s Culinary Cup” debut (shown here), 9:30-11 p.m., CBS. After 18 seasons on “Top Chef,” Padma Lakshmi knows a lot about food. Now she aims high — sleek kitchen, million-dollar prize and acclaimed chefs. One won the top international prize, another was his coach, five others have Michelin stars. The result is slick and entertaining. Read more…

Best-bets for March 1: new “Marshals,” old musical

1) “Marshals” debut, 8 p.m., CBS. As “Yellowstone” finished, Kayce Dutton gave his family’s mega-ranch to his wife’s tribe; he was at peace. Now his world has been upended; he needs a new life — and a former SEAL buddy, now a U.S. marshal, needs help. There are some strong action moments, including (shown here) trouble during a speech and protest. This sequel is way too thick with its macho dialog, but gives us sturdy people to care about. Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 28: Image Awards and “SNL”

1) “NAACP Image Awards,” 8 p.m., BET, CBS, MTV, VH1, CMT, TV Land, Comedy Central, more; repeating at 10 on BET. Deon Cole hosts, Viola Davis gets a lifetime honor and there are awards for movies, TV and music. Nominated for best movie are “Sinners” (shown here), “Wicked: For Good,” “Sarah’s Oil,” “Highest 2 Lowest” and “One of Them Days.” Read more…

Best-bets for Feb. 27: a tough, taut night for dramas

1) “Boston Blue,” 10 p.m., CBS. Back from a nine-week break, here’s a potent hour. Jonah, a rookie cop, was on a solo mission to avenge the murder of his dad, a judge. That creates a fresh crisis; At the shooting scene (shown here), Jonah’s family has to step aside, with Danny and Sean taking over. The result is what “Boston Blue” thrives on — a mixture of tough, cop-show action and family emoti0n. Read more…