1) “Franklin” debut, Apple TV+. In 1776, Ben Franklin headed to Paris with his teen grandson. He was 70 or 71 (25 years older than George Washington), gifted in science, romance and people skills; that last one would play a key role in the Revolutionary War. Michael Douglas (shown here), 79, and Noah Jupe, 19, star in a smart and well-crafted series, with the first three episodes (of eight) airing today. Read more…
Ben Franklin kept exceeding limitations.
That was true involving education. “He didn’t go to school past 12 years old,” said Michael Douglas, who plays him (shown here) in a mini-series that starts Friday on Apple TV+. So everything is sort of self-learned.
And it was true involving age. In 1776, where “Franklin” begins, he was already 70 or (some sources say) 71. By comparison, Washington was 44 or 45, Jefferson was 33, Hamilton was 21 or 19.
That senior citizen had a crucial assignment, Douglas, 79, told the Television Critics Association: “The Continental Congress decided, ‘Well, we need Ben,’ because he was was well-known around the world, to do sort of an undercover diplomatic trip to France, to get their support.” Read more…
1) “Young Sheldon,” 8 p.m., CBS. Some shows build an entire finale around a wedding. For “Sheldon,” that’s just one piece of a big, busy episode, five weeks from the series finale. Yes, Georgie and Mandy get married (shown here), in a brisk scene that has both big laughs and warmth. But there’s much more here, ranging from the baby to the illegal casino, affecting 10 great (and varied) characters. Read more…
1) “Abbott Elementary,” 9 p.m., ABC. After two weeks of reruns, this dandy comedy returns to new episodes. Tonight, Jacob (shown here) is startled to learn that his colleagues don’t even read his emails. In fact, they have someone else respond.
Read more…
1) Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise” debut, 10 p.m., Freeform. Reality shows like to be in pretty places, with pretty and/or wealthy people. This one is on a small (22 miles long) Caribbean island (shown here) that has busy bankers and 75,000 people. One is Elizabeth Chambers, a TV cook and personality; news arrives about the allegations toward her ex-husband, actor Armie Hammer. Read more…
1) Gershwin Prize, 8-10 p.m., PBS. Elton John (shown here n a previos concert) and his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, get the annual award for popular song. They’re in the front row, hearing their songs — from gorgeous ballads (Garth Brooks, Maren Morris) to gospel-style zest (Billy Porter and a sensational Jacob Lusk). There are big moments from Annie Lennox, Charlie Puth, Metallica, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell … and from John. Read more…
1) “Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office” debut, 9 p.m., PBS. In tiny postal sub-stations across England, managers were told the same things: They owed money … they might lose their jobs and go bankrupt … and no one else had this trouble. Then they linked and found that LOTS of people had the trouble, tied to an iffy computer system. Over three weeks, Toby jones (shown here)leads a stirring, real-life story. Read more…
1) “The 100th,” 9 p.m. Sunday, CBS. Even for Billy Joel (shown here), this was ambitious – a concert every month in the 20,000-seat Madison Square Garden. The result? Every show has sold out; now the 100th one (March 28) is edited into his first broadcast-network special. Jerry Seinfeld raised a banner, Sting sang two songs … and Joel sang many, including, of course, “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind.” Read more…
1) Basketball, 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS, TNT and TruTV. The college tournament has its final four teams now. Two were expected — Purdue and Connecticut, each seeded No. 1 in its quadrant. The others provide underdogs: North Carolina State (shown here), No. 11 in its quadrant, faces Purdue; then Alabama, No. 4, faces Connecticut. The winners collide Monday. Read more…
Somehow, Montgomery Clift turned into Marilyn Monroe and then into Princess Diana.
And that begat the No. 1 (or maybe No. 2) single record of all time.
Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s lyricist, had lots of such stories, while discussing a top honor: They’re this year’s winners of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. ‘It’s a joy,” he told the Television Critics Association. “I’ve got the best job in the world, man.”
John (shown here in a previus concert) and Taupin seemed joyful during the ceremony, which airs at 8 p.m. Monday (April 8) on PBS. Their songs were done by stars with roots in country (Garth Brooks, Maren Morris), gospel (Jacob Lusk), rock (Metallica), Broadway (Billy Porter) and pop: Joni Mitchell, Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile … and, for the final three songs, John himself. Read more…
Best-bets for July 2: bison, “Bear,” baseball 
Best-bets for July 1: TV guns for holiday mood 
Best-bets for June 30: R.J., T and soccer 
