1) “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 80th Anniversary,” 9 p.m., PBS. Here’s a splendid blend – Broadway’s greatest songs, sung by amazing talents. Several of the stars are better known in London (where this was filmed), including a powerful Michael Ball (shown here) and a vibrant Marisha Wallace. But there are also Broadway stats, including Patrick Wilson, Aaron Tveit and the superb Audra McDonald.
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1) “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19” finales, 9 and 10 p.m., ABC. Last week, the Station 19 crew fought a wildfire roaring toward Seattle. Now the “Grey’s” doctors face an overload of burn and smoke victims; then the firefighters and paramedics continue their struggle (shown here). That wraps the seventh and final season for “Station 19”; “Grey’s” will be back for its 21at. Read more…
1) “The Conners,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. There’s been bad news lately for this above-average comedy. It won’t be back until mid-season … and that will be its final season. Fortunately, there are four-rerun spurts today on ABC and Saturday on CW. At 8:30 p.m. today, Becky introduces her boyfriend (Sean Astin, shown here with her) to her daughter. At 9. there’s a pivotal moment involving Jackie’s mom. Read more…
1) “America’s Got Talent” season-opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Here’s the show that tends to dominate summertime ratings. Most of its time is spent on auditions, with a wild assortmentof people singing, spinning, dancing, leapng and such. (Shown here is Renya Roberts.) On Aug. 13 (after an Olympic break), it will turn to live performances and viewer votes. Read more…
1) “American Ninja Warrior” couples championship, 8-10 p.m., NBC. For NBC, this starts a summer surge. Tonight (shown here) – a week before the regular “ANW” season begins — 12 couples compete. On Tuesday, “America’s Got Talent” starts its season. Both shows lead into new game-show episodes; tonight it’s “The Weakest Link,” with host Jane Lynch and eight military veterans. Read more…
1) “National Memorial Day Concert,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30. On the eve of Memorial Day, here’s a passionate blend of music and true stories. The music is from Broadway’s Cynthia Erivo, Ruthie Ann Miles and Patina Miller, plus country’s Gary LeVox (of Rascal Flatts) and Jamey Johnson, with a song about his fellow Marines. Stories are told by Bryan Cranston, BD Wong and more. Read more…
1) “I Am Steve McQueen,” 8-10 p.m., CW. One generation has Sir Steve McQueen, the Oscar-winning director; another had this Oscar-nominated actor (shown here). As a teen, he was in the reformatory; as a Marine, he was in the brig. He battled directors, raced motorcycles and died at 50. He was a potent film force; one example, “The Great Escape” (1963), will be 5 p.m. ET Sunday on Turner Classic Movies. Read more…
1) “Purlie Victorious,” 9 p.m.,, PBS. Three weeks before the Tonys, this has six nominations, including best play revival and two for its actors (shown here): Leslie Odom Jr. romps through a blitz of florid dialog, as the scheming but good-hearted Purlie; Kara Young offers some Carol Burnett-style moves, as his accomplice. They partly conquer the show’s broad humor and turbo-speed dialog. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth” season-finale, 9 p.m., CBS. Amid some towering, glowering fashion models, Elsbeth (shown here) seems out of place. She’s 5-foot-4, given to bright clothes and brighter smiles. But before this hour ends, we’ll see an Elsbeth-inspired fashion show That part gets a tad goofy at times, but there’s also a solid murder mystery. It’s a fairly good finish to a terrific first season. Read more…
1) “Survivor” finale and reunion, 8-11 p.m., CBS. Five people remain and one will be a million-dollar winner. Maria Shrive Gonzalez (shown here, right, in last week’s episode), 48, a parent coach, faces younger folks — Charlie Davis, 26, a law student; Kenzie Petty (center), 29, a salon owner; Liz Wilcox, 35, a marketing strategist; and Ben Katzman (left), 31, a “shred” guitarist in the band DeGreaser. Read more…
