1) “Nexaca,” debut, 9 and 10 p.m., FXX, rerunning at 11 and midnight. Created 102 years ago, Club Nexaca has had years of greatness in Mexican soccer … and years of decline. Now Eva Longoria (shown here) fronts a group that bought half of it. After her charming introduction, this Spanish-language series (with sub-titles) has a sharply filmed look at revival efforts. Read more…
1) “Good Cop/Bad Cop” return, 9 p.m., CW. If you missed this excellent show the Read more…
Just as TV hits its low point, Turner Classic Movies fills the void.
It does that each August, with “Summer Under the Stars.” Each day brings a marathon of films from one star.
Some of those people have been featured often. On Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 9-10), Elizabeth Taylor (shown here with Paul Newman) and Clark Gable will be back-to-back.
But others get their first time in the August spotlight. Read more…
1) Classic films. For movie buffs, this is one of the best nights ever. It has films that are No. 2 (“The Godfather,” 1972, 7 p.m., Showtime) and No. 3 (“Casablanca,”1943, sown here, 10 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies) on the American Film Institute list, trailing only “Citizen Kane.” And at midnight ET, TCM has “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), listed at No. 26. Read more…
1) “American Ninja Warrior,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. The multi-week finals begin. Over this month, we’ll see contestants racing side-by-side (shown here), in a bracket-style competition. That collides with another summer powerhouse, “Bachelor in Paradise,” from 8-10 on ABC. Read more…
Actors’ lives are full of extremes — long lulls and busy bursts.
Still, few can match Melissa Johns’ packed stretch. In two weeks, she had two weddings (one real, one not), two grooms, two churches and strong emotions … up to a point; “It stops feeling special when you’re on the 11th take,” she said.
That was for the fictional wedding, for “Grantchester.” The real one didn’t require any do-overs.
As “Grantchester” nears its season-finale (9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3), let’s look back: Read more…
1) “Grantchester” season-finale, 9 p.m., PBS. Last week, Geordie (a cop) traced possible info about the birth mother of Alphy (a vicar). Alas, Alphy raged.at the intrusion, Now there are deep emotions for these friends (shown here) to unpack — while solving a complex case that includes a right-wing activist, bomb threats and a key assist from Larry, the newlywed cop. Read more…
1) U.S. Gymnastics Championships, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, NBC. Here are the women’s finals, a day after the men (6:30-9 p.m. ET Saturday, CNBC). If you prefer larger (much larger) athletes, it’s the first full week of the pro-football pre-season. The NFL Network has games at 7 and 10 p.m. ET Thursday; 7 Friday; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 4 Sunday. Read more…
1) “Barbie” (2023), 8 p.m., TBS; or “The Sound of Music” (1965), 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. In one way, these are opposites: “Barbie” (shown here) reflects a joyous feminism; “Music,” set in 1940s Austria, doesn’t. But both offer vibrant visuals and music, plus appealing stars. Both drew Oscar nominations for best-picture, which “Sound of Music” won. Read more…
1) “Fire Country,” 8 p.m., CBS. This fall, Morena Baccarin — formerly of “V,” “Homeland” and “Gotham” — will stars in “Sheriff Country.” First, here’s her second “Fire Country” episode, setting it up. With her nephew Bode (they’re shown here), she probes the attempted murder of her estranged father. More reruns follow, with a ski-lift malfunction and an out-of-control house fire. Read more…
Best-bets for Feb. 7: First full day of Olympics 
Best-bets for Feb. 6: The games begin 
Best-bets for Feb. 5: fun chefs, serious sports 
