Mike Hughes on TV

1) “Rebuilding Paradise” (shown here), 9 and 11:47 p.m., National Geographic. Ron Howard was already a great director of scripted films, with an Oscar (“A Beautiful Mind”) and a nomination (“Frost/Nixon”). Lately, he’s also been doing documentaries. After the 2018 wildfire, he focused on the gorgeous town of Paradise, Ca. There, we meet likable people, including a man who tells of going “from town drunk to mayor.” After the blaze, he was one of the first to rebuild. Read more…

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Four years ago, Dave Chapelle (shown here) hosted “SNL” after the election, when some viewers were still in shock. Kate McKinnon sang “Hallelujah”; Chapelle offered a soothing (and funny monolog), then linked with Chris Rock in a gentle sketch mocking White friends unfamiliar with bad news. Now Chappelle is back, in an episode that was added belatedly – a sixth straight new episodes, after soaring ratings for the first five. The mood may vary with the official vote count. Read more…

1) “Great Performances: One Man, Two Guvnors,” 9 p.m., PBS. Americans know James Corden as a terrific talk-show host, but he’s also a gifted comedy actor. Here, belatedly, is the U.S. debut of a 2011 special, with Corden (shown here) as a luckless chap who secretly has two bosses … and must keep them apart. Based on a 1743 farce, this is mostly loud and silly; what seems funny onstage can seem way over-the-top onscreen. Still, Corden — who won a Tony award in the role – is a marvel. Read more…

1) “B Positive” debut, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, CBS. The first new, scripted show of the season is a delight, with great characters and sharp humor. Thomas Middleditch (the former “Silicon Valley” star) is great as a divorced dad who needs a kidney donor. But the real joy is Annaleigh Ashford (shown here with Middleditch) as Gina, a former high school classmate with a kidney to spare. A Broadway veteran (and Tony-winner), Ashford skillfully makes Gina seem caring and clueless, helpful to strangers and unable to help herself. Read more…

1) “American Ninja Warrior” (shown here in a previous week) finale, 9-11 p.m. NBC. Last week, only four of 16 finalists finished the course. There are still 11 more to tackle it tonight; then the top eight overall will face the “Power Tower” for the $100,000 prize. Lucas Reale, 21, a business student, is at the top so far. The others who finished: Najee Richarfdson, 29, a coach and ex-gymnast … Austin Gray, 22, a coach; he donated a kidney to a friend … and Jesse Labreck, 30, a gym-owner; her fiance, Chris DiGagi, fell shot. Read more…