1) “Kingdom,” 8 p.m., BBC America. David Attenborough (shown here in a previous film) remains the consummate voice of nature films. Shortly before he turns 100 (May 8), he narrates two epics from BBC crews. This six-parter follows families of lions, leopards, hyenas and dogs, competing (sometimes violently) for turf. And a five-part gem on animal parenthood starts Feb. 4 on PBS. Read more…
1) Grammy awards, 8-11:30 p.m. ET (5-8:30 p.m. PT) Sunday, CBS. Trevor Noah has his sixth turn as host. Performers range from top stars (Sabrina Carpenter, shown here, was the first announced) to a number that links the new-artist nominees — Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Sombr, Katseye and the Marias. Read more…
Sometimes you just have to learn by getting it wrong.
That’s especially true if you’re working the media and/or battling demi-gods. Just ask Walker Scobell (shown here), whose “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” airs its second-season finale today (Jan. 21).
Both seasons are on Disney+, where you can see Scobell evolve — from a 13-year-old novice to … well, a 17-year-old who’s still learning.
On Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show this week, he started talking into the microphone on the desk. Kimmel had to explain that it was a fake mic, just a decoration. Read more…
1) “Stumble,” 8:30 p.m., NBC. This has quickly evolved into a terrific comedy. Fresh from last week’s hilarious sexual-relations lecture, it now has a small-town talent show (shown here). Courteney — the transplanted New Yorker — is flummoxed. Her husband, a folksy coach recovering from a concussion, fits in;Taran Killam plays him with subtle perfection. Read more…
This winter, PBS will be taking us back in time.
That’s way back. It will go to the start of life on Earth … and to the first mammals … and to one of the earliest civilizations,.
That’s on “Nova” at 9 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Jan. 21. (Shown here is Angkor, featured on Jan. 28.)
The shopw won’t be spending all its time as a way-back machine. The best hour of the season — or of just about any season — is a gem about dogs that learn words and express them by stepping on the right buttons.
Still, much of the year involves looking back. That includes: Read more…
1) “Hell’s Kitchen” finale, 8 p.m., Fox. The show’s 24th champion will be either Jada Vidal (shown here) or Ellie Parker. Last week, they drafted the other chefs for their teams and began planning fancy dinners — one a Cuban-Asian fusion, the other steakhouse-style. Tonight, one will land a major chef job. Read more…
1) “Nova” season-opener, 9 p.m., PBS. Asteroids (shown here) get a bad rap, what with bringing death, destruction and the end of dinosaurs. But this asks the flip side: Is it possible that they brought the elements that were needed to create life on Earth? Deep, detailed (and sometimes a bit dry), this starts a season that also re-examines the first mammals and civilizations. Read more…
Before settling into tonight’s college football championship game — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 on ESPN — let’s flash back a bit.
It’s Oct. 5, 1991, and the Indiana Hoosiers are hosting Michigan State. Folks in Indiana are interested … somewhat.
With some tickets unsold, the crowd is listed at 46,882. That’s less than half the size of the crowd that will be in Ann Arbor two weeks later, when the Hoosiers visit Michigan.
And don’t expect to see all 46,000 in their seats. As the game starts, many students are still outside the stadium, tailgating. Read more…
A new mini-series, “The Beauty,” has all the things we expect from an action- adventure tale.
There are fierce fights, wild chases and intense sex scenes. There are beautiful places — Paris, Venice, Rome — and beautiful people who sometimes explode.
But underneath that, the opener (9-11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, on FX, and then on Hulu) has strong themes.
People keep “trying to create the fountain of youth,” Ashton Kutcher (shown here) said in a Zoom press coference.
It’s an age-old obsession, Rebecca Hall added. “There’s a lot to be said about the chase for perfection.” Read more…
1) “Doc,” 9 p.m., Fox. A potent story hits its peak tonight. Convinced that Amy spurred their father’s suicide, a young doctor (shown here, cxenter) and her brother schemed to destroy her. Their plan imploded, he’s in the hospital with an overdose, their mother (left) is there … and the hospital investigates Amy. Despite one flaw — an absurdly one-note investigator — this is a strong, well-crafted hour. Read more…
Best-bets for Feb. 5: fun chefs, serious sports 
Best-bets for Feb. 4: Muppets and talking dogs 
Best-bets for Feb. 3: a night of crimes, true and not 
