1) “American Masters,” 9 p.m. Friday, PBS. On the eve of his 100th birthday, here’s a joyous tour of Dick Van Dyke’s life (so far). His elastic face and body were the core of a nightclub act. CBS signed him and couldn’t find a spot — until he linked with writer-producer Carl Reiner. From the brilliant “Dick Van Dyke Show” to “Mary Poppins” (shown here) and beyond, he’s been a delight. Read more…
1) “Holiday Spectacular,” 8-10 p.m. today, ABC. Sprawling across the Disney parks, this has bright colors and cheery music. Derek Hough hosts and performs; also performing are Nicole Scherzinger (shown here), Bebe Rexha, Aloe Blacc, Trisha Yearwood, Gwen Stefani, Coco Jones and Benji and Joel Madden. This also airs at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on Freeform. Read more…
1) Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, NBC; repeating at 2 p.m. This starts with a Cynthia Erivo song and with performances by the Rockettes and the Broadway casts of “Ragtime,” “Just in Time” and “Buena Vista Social Club.” Then the parade — 11 bands, 28 floats and Santa (shown here) — proves the Christmas season has begun. Read more…
1) CMA Awards, 8-11 p.m. Wednesday, ABC. There’s a new-music feel here, including rapper/country singer duos — BigXthaPlug with Luke Combs plus Shaboozey with Stephen Wilson Jr. There will be music by new-artist nominees Wilson and Trent Wetmore, plus Lainey Wilson (shown here, who hosts), Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and more. Read more…
1) “The American Revolution” opener, 8 p.m. Sunday, PBS; repeats at 10. Here is Ken Burns at his best — epic in scope (shown here), yet intimately human. Beautifully written by Geoffrey Ward, it sprawls over six nights, catching the complexities of giants (from George Washington to Benedict Arnold) and of regular people, their everyday lives surrounded by warfare. Read more…
1) “Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” 8-10 p.m. Thursday, NBC. Coming soon (Nov. 21) is the second of Universal’s two “Wicked” movies. First, NBC (Universal’s corporate mate) has this concert special. The Dolby Theatre gets an Emerald City look; there, a 37-piece orchestra backs Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh (shown here) and more. Read more…
1) “Kissinger,” 9-10:30 p.m. today and Tuesday, PBS. This deep and balanced portrait has ample time for Henry Kissinger’s son, his former colleagues (some defending him, some not) and historians. It views Kissinger (shown here) a genius, shaped by the Holocaust, who won the Nobel Peace Prize … and whose policies are linked to the devastation of Chile, Cambodia, Bangladesh and more. Read more…
1) World Series opener, 8 p.m. ET Friday, Fox; pre-game at 7. Baseball gets a chance to swipe attention from football. It has games Friday and Saturday … skips Sunday, when pro football rules … then has games Oct. 27, 28 and (if needed) Oct. 29 and 31 and Nov. 1. The Mariners (shown here) or Bluejays face Dodgers or Brewers; check Sports for details. Read more…
1) “DMV” debut, 8:30 p.m. today, CBS. The CBS season finally begins, with lots of season-openers and a few new shows — starting with this comedy. In the “Superstore” style, it finds fun with the Department of Motor Vehicles patrons — an entitled jerk, a scary driver, a clueless oldster — and the likable staff, shown here with sweet Colette (Harriet Dyer) eyeing the newcomer (Alex Tarrant). Read more…
1) “Elsbeth” season-opener, 9 p.m. Sunday, CBS. Here’s some logical casting: Stephen Colbert plays a talk-show host, which he is …. Andy Richter plays a sidekick, which he was …. Amy Sedaris plays his wife (isn’t), a comedy writer (is). We quickly see a murder, then watch Elsbeth (shown here with Sedaris and Richter) at work. It’s s fairly good episode; the next one (on Oct. 16) is brilliant. Read more…
