Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Nov. 1: new dramas and ancient Earth

1) “Quantum Leap,” 8 p.m., NBC. For Raymond Lee (shown here, center), this is a leap into fairly familiar turf. Lee (who has Korean roots) plays Ben, forever leaping into different bodies; now he’s in a young Korean-American. It’s April 29, 1992, the day of battles between Korean merchants and Blacks who were angered by a not-guilty verdict for the Los Angeles police who beat Rodney King. This hour gets way too talky, but does deliver emotional impact. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 31: a swarm of scares and fun

1) “The Swarm” season-finale, 9 p.m., CW. The first seven episodes –slow, but solidly crafted – have had the seas churning. Whales attacked; crabs marched ashore. Secret drilling on the ocean floor may have unleashed a creature; last week, scientists arrived by ship to see. One tried to communicate; another tried a mini-sub mission. Now something has infiltrated the ship and one person is in a coma. Charlie (the talented Leonie Benesch,shown here) faces a lonely decision. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 30: It’s a ghastly holiday eve

1) “Ghosts,” 8 and 8:30 p.m., CBS. This likable show finally returns – but only for one night and two reruns. These are the Halloween ones, both excellent, from the first two seasons: Neighborhood kids plan to vandalize the place; the ghosts try to help. Then a séance accidentally brings someone from Hetty’s past (shown here). After that, be patient: Tentative plans have reruns returning Nov. 16, alongside the original, British version of the show. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 29: “Billions” ends, but “Simpsons” are eternal

1) “The Simpsons,” 7 and 8 p.m., Fox. Most years, this is the night for a new “Treehouse of Horrors” (an example is shown here),with witty and/or gruesome tales. But this year’s episode – two OK stories and then a gem – is delayed until next week. Instead, we get reruns of last year’s “Treehouse” (including a charming anime tale) and “Bob’s Burgers” (ominous orchard trip) at 7 and 7:30. Then a new “Simpsons” has a “documentary” about Mr. Burns and a young woman’s start-up scheme. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 28: “SNL” and a sports overload

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. After starting the season with high-profile hosts (Pete Davidson and Bad Bunny), “SNL” goes the opposite way. Nate Bargatze (shown here), 44, is a good-natured comedian once described in an Atlantic article as “the nicest man in stand-up.” He hosts, with the Foo Fighters as music guests. The season’s first “SNL” was so-so (despite Davidson), but the second had sharp sketches, three of them mainly in Spanish. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 27: baseball or ballet

1) World Series begins, 8:03 p.m. ET, Fox, with pre-game at 7. Baseball finally gets the spotlight, with the Texas Rangers (shown here) hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks. That repeats Saturday, moves to Arizona on Monday through Wednesday, then (if needed) returns to Texas on Nov. 3-4. Todayt, its competition includes college football (Florida Atlantic-Charlotte, 7:30 ET, ESPN2) and a terrific baseball movie (“A League of Their Own,” 1992, 1 and 10 p.m., E).
Read more…

Beat-bets for Oct. 26: transplanted drama and comedies

1) “Transplant,” 9 p.m., NBC. Dr. Bashir Hamed is used to obstacles. After helping rebels in Syria, he reached Canada with his sister. Now his friends face steep trouble, both back home and at the hospital where he works. This hour is stuffed with physical and emotional pain. Bash finds frustration (his boss bars him from surgery) and joy: He finally has a love interest — Mags (they’re shown here), an intense doctor who is his opposite in many ways. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 25: a mixed night for new dramas

1) “Sullivan’s Crossing,” 8 p.m., CW. This drama is sometimes as gentle and peaceful as its Nova Scotia setting. Last week, however, ended with a jolt: Two college guys were with a teen girl, when one accidentally shot Frank; they grabbed the girl and ran. That story wraps up now, leaving more room for the main plot, which is fairly good: A big-city surgeon, facing legal troubles, has retreated to the campgrounds where her father and Cal (Chad Michael Murray) and others cling to secrets. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 24: emotional dancing, native innovation

1) “Dancing With the Stars,” 8-10 p.m., ABC and Disney+. We can expect a night of strong emotion. As a tribute to Len Goodman, the long-time judge who died in April at 78, the pro dancers perform to “Moon River.” Then contestants choose songs from key years in their lives. That ranges from recent (songs by Billie Eilish and Ed Sheeran) to Barry Williams (shown here), 69, dancing to “Born to be Wild,” which came out in 1968, just before he joined the Brady Bunch. Read more…

Best-bets for Oct. 23: reality time for singers, chefs and f-creeps

1) “The Voice” and “Irrational,” 8 and 10 p.m., NBC. The four-hour-a-week pace has “Voice” moving quickly; it’s already into the “battle round,” with teammates facing each other. And stick around for “Irrational” (shown here) and a question: If these folks are so skilled at human behavior, wouldn’t they be good gamblers? Maybe. Camille, an ex-colleague, is a Las Vegas poker player who’s in danger. Read more…