1) “America’s Culinary Cup,” 9:30 p.m., CBS. Here’s a sign that “Cup” contestants (some are shown here) are an interesting bunch: In the final showdown, we deeply don’t want either chef to lose. One does, in an hour focusing on sustainability. In the showdown, two chefs use parts that most people throw away. Both seem to do well; one departs and tears are shed. Read more…
Television can seem like an all-or-nothing, feast-or-famine world.
One moment, there’s little worth watching. The next, there’s an overload.
Fortunately, we’re heading into overload land. One night — Sunday, March 22 — has three debuts and two season-openers, plus the regular shows. There would be even more if ABC hadn’t made the late decision to pull “Bachelorette.”
It opens the 15th season of “Call the Midwife.” It has the third “Forsytes” series (shown here), the 40th-or-more “Count of Monte Cristo” and the zillionth (approximately) Biblical epic.
The shows vary drastically, from the glittery “Forsytes” to the dark “Monte Cristo.” But all are ambitious. Alongside the regular dramas — “Tracker,” “Marshals,” “Dark Winds” — they’re in an overstuffed night. They are: Read more…
1) “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968), 5:30 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. OK, we don’t usually associate Francis Coppola with Irish culture. But before his “Godfather” films, he beautifully directed this zesty musical. Tommy Steele and Fred Astaire star(they’re shown here), with Petula Clark, Tommy Steele a Don Francks star, with some great comic moments from Al Freeman Jr. Read more…
Here’s an odd-couple pairing: Barack Obama and Larry David.
One speaks of hope and “yes we can”; the other professes hopelessness and “we probably can’t.” Now they sort of have a show together.
“Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” will debut at 9 p.m. June 26 on HBO. That’s a Friday, a night that has worked well for Bill Maher.
David (shown here) co-created and stars in the show. Obama isn’t necessarily in it, but Higher Ground (his company with his wife Michelle) is the production company. Read more…
1) “American Idol,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. In a quicker format this year, the show now has its top 20 and is giving them a sweet backdrop: Tonight and next Monday, they’ll be performing at a Hawaiian resort. (Shown here is Zahlie Windsor in last year’s Hawaiian round.) Read more…
1) Academy Awards, 7 p.m. ET, ABC and Hulu. Conan O’Brien hosts and “Sinners” leads with 16 nominations. Its song, “I Lied to You,” will have a big-scale production. “Golden,” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” will also be done live, with others in videos. “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet” and Timothee Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme”(shown here) also could be prominent.
Read more…
\1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. After taking a break from music for almost three years, Harry Styles (shown here) is back big-time. He has a new album and a Netflix concert special; now here’s his second turn as host and music guest at “SNL,” which is wrapping a three-week stretch of new episodes. Read more…
1) College basketball tournament. This starts at 3:30 and 6 p.m. PT Tuesday and Wednesday on TruTV, filling the last four spots. Then comes the cascade: On Thursday and Friday, CBS has games at 9 and 11:30 a.m. PT and 4 and 6:30 p.m. Then it’s 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 9, 11:30 and 2 Sunday. There’s more on TBS, TNT and TruTV.(Shown here is top-rated Duke.) Read more…
1) “Stumble” season-finale, 8:30 p.m., NBC. Gradually, this has evolved into an above-average comedy. It offers interesting characters, sharp sight gags and, at times, dandy cheer-team moves. Last week (shown here) the coach picked her 16-person team, with one alternate. Now they’re at the national championships, where she collides with her enemies. The result is inconsistent, but has some excellent moments Read more…
In the dwindling land of syndicated TV talk shows, Drew Barrymore (shown here) offers an exception.
Her show, already in its sixth season, has just been renewed for two years.
That’s a counterpoint to the current trend: Two shows — Kelly Clarkson and Sherri Shepherd — will stop at the end of this year, with others wobbling. Read more…
Best-bets for March 23: clever comedies, plus bowlers 
Best-bets for March 22: a big, busy night 
Best-bets for March 21: lots of basketball … and lots of alternatives 
