1) “The Masked Singer,” 8 p.m., Fox. We’re a week from the finale, with five people left, (One, viewers know, is Kylie Cantrall, shown here in Disney’s “Rise of Red” movie, as “Cat Witch.”) This edition has dumped some singers — Billy Ray Cyrus, Jack Wagner, Tone Loc — and others. Last week it unmasked actor-singer Evan Ross (Diana Ross’ son) and Greg Mathis, of “Judge Mathis” fame. Read more…
In TV’s olden days, situation comedies kept cranking out episodes — 39 a year, year after year.
And a modern-day contrast? Consider Lisa Kudrow’s “The Comeback” (shown here), which has just returned to HBO.
It had 13 episodes in 2005 … rested nine years, before doing eight episodes in 2014 … then rested a dozen years, before this eight-episode final season.
It needed a compelling reason to return, co-creator Michael Patrick King said at a press conference. That came with the rise of artificial intelligence. Read more…
1) “NCIS” 500th episode, 8 p.m., CBS. Yes, 500 episodes. That’ s below “The Simpsons”(805) and the “Law & Order” shows (588 and 538), but it’s 499 above “Turn-on,” “South of Sunset” and others. This episode (shown here) has concocted a way to get everyone involved: A Marine’s son is desperate for help; the fractured team links for an off-the-books operation. Read more…
(This is an updated version of the story, now focusing strictly on April 1-5)
As Easter nears, TV networks are paying attention.
They have sprawling epics from Hollywood’s past, plus shows that are more recent.
A few of the shows are on the big networks. ABC has its annual “Ten Commandments” repeat Saturday (April 4); Fox has its third and final “The Faithful” movie on Easter Sunday.
But the real flurry is on smaller channels, ones that exist on cable or satellite or online or on digital sub-channels carried by local stations. Here are many of the choices, all times ET: Read more…
1) “St. Denis Medical,” 8 p.m., NBC. Three stories pair the main characters neatly. Bruce (shown here) and Matt are on ambulance runs … Joyce and Alex are hiring a head midwife … and Ron and Serena battle over a pen, seemingly the only thing at the hospital that works. It all blend into a slick, funny episode. Read more…
We can now declare HBO Max the clear winner of this year’s awards chase.
On April 24, it will add “Marty Supreme” (shown here). That joins a pile that already has “One Battle After Another.” Read more…
1) “The Forsytes” opener, 9 p.m., PBS. It’s PBS’ third time telling the massive story of wealth, greed and romance in the early 1900s. This time it has all the modern skills to create a visually gorgeous show(as shown here) … plus a modern emphasis on the women. This six-Sunday story is just the first season, but it also works beautifully as a stand-alone mini-series. Read more…
“The Bachelorette” has suddenly been yanked from ABC’s schedule, three days before it was set to open its season.
The decision came after TMZ released a video showing Taylor Frankie Paul (shown here) seemingly attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and throwing several chairs at him. The incident led to Paul pleading guilty to aggravated assault. Read more…
1) Sports surge. The baseball season starts with one game Wednesday (Yankees-Giants, 8:05 p.m. ET on Netflix) and lots on Thursday, including two on NBC — Pirates and Mets at 1:15 p.m., Dodgers (shown here) and Diamondback at 8:30. Also, Thursday is when the college basketball tourney starts a new round, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on CBS, 7:30 and 10 on TBS. Read more…
1) Basketball. A new round of the college tournament begins, with Thursday’s winners colliding. CBS has games at noon, 2:30, 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET, with more games on TBS. TNT and TruTV. By late Sunday night, the tourney will have its “sweet 16” for next week’s games. Meanwhile, other networks have films (shown here) for the basketball-averse. Read more…
Best-bets for June 25: “Bear” is back; country soars 
Best-bets for June 24: brilliant drama, nasty crocs 
Best-bets for June 23: Bob, Paul and great movies 
