Mike Hughes on TV

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. After three straight weeks of being bumped by the Olympics, “SNL” is back to its summer reruns. That starts with two gifted women – Adele, in her first time as host, and H.E.R. as the music guest. Adele does get to sing parts of her songs, during a clever “Bachelor” bit. And a particularly funny sketch (shown here) flashes back to pre-COVID, when a fortune-teller (Kate McKinnon) brings bad news. Read more…

1) “Icon: Music Through the Lens” finale, 9 and 10 p.m., PBS. At first, photographer Gered Mankowitz says, his work seemed temporary. “The idea that a (rock-music) photo would have a life a year later” was odd. Then life changed; photos of Janis (shown here) and Mick and such filled books and galleries. Photographers were special … until super-cameras arrived. “Do we really need a camera that can make me an omelet?” Neal Preston asks. In 60 years, the annual number of images increased 460-fold; these excellent hours offer vivid stories. Read more…

1) “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” season-opener, 8 and 8:30 p.m., NBC. It’s been a bumpy ride for one of TV’s better comedies. “Nine-Nine” started strong: In its first season, it won Golden Globes for best comedy and actor (Andy Samberg, shown here, left, with Joe Lo Truglio and Melissa Fumero), with Television Critics Association nominations for best comedy and new show. It’s still well-made (with four Emmy nominations for Andre Braugher), but Fox cancelled it after five seasons. NBC added three more, but this final season (after a 16-month pause) will only e 10 episodes. Read more…

1) “Riverdale” return, 8 p.m. CW. When we last saw this show, it seemed to have taken craziness to the limit. There was a jail break at the for-profit prison built by Veronica’s dad … and a fire … and escapees trashing Riverdale High … and a drug-crazed Jughead (really) wandering loose. And now? Things somehow get crazier – peaking with a psychedelic musical scene alongside a “Batman”-style fight. It’s all very well-done … but a long leap from the cheery Pop’s diner days (shown here) of the past. Read more…

1) “Fantasy Island” debut, 9 p.m., Fox. In a summer of reality and reruns, here’s a surprise – a lush, scripted drama on a big network. It reboots the series that ended in 1984 – now with Roselyn Sanchez (shown here), of “Grand Hotel” and “Devious Maids” as the grand-niece of the original Mr. Roarke. Like him, she looks great in white and guides people to self-discovery; there are key guest stars, starting with Bellamy Young of “Scandal.” Still, the opener has a somber tone and is merely an OK viewing experience. Read more…

1) “The Bachelorette” finale, 8 p.m., ABC. The last two episodes have left the show in tatters. Michael Allio left to be with his son; then Greg Grippo left after he said he loves Katie Thurston (shown here) and she (vowing not to mention love until the finale) didn’t reciprocate. She wept in the bathroom and asked for a flight home. Now – barring her departure or Greg’s return – she has overnight dates with Blake Moynes and Justin Glaze, followed by a decision. Read more…

1) Olympics finale. It’s time for more spectacle, complete with pomp and people, plus (we’ll assume) dancers and fireworks (shown here is the 2016 ceremony) and more. You can catch the closing ceremony live at 7 a.m. ET on Peacock or on tape at 8 p.m. on NBC. In between, there are tapes of finals: At 9 a.m. ET, USA has women’s basketball; from 1-6 p.m. ET, NBC has women’s volleyball and handball and men’s water polo, plus cycling and group rhythm gymnastics. It also has a wrap-up at 7. Read more…