1) “Raid the Cage” season-opener, 9 p.m., CBS. As the summer begins, CBS’ plans are surprisingly modest. There are occasional specials (including the Tonys, June 8), lots of reruns, plus this show, starting its second season. Damon Wayans Jr. hosts with Jeannie Mai. Contestants answer questions to get extra time; then try to grab prizes (shown here) before a gate closes. Read more…
1) “Alert: Missing Persons Unit” finale, 9 p.m., Fox. It may be the end of the line for this well-made drama. (Fox hasn’t renewed or officially canceled it.) Despite some credibility gaps, this finale has a sharp, twisty story of prom, politics and a multiple-kidnapping. Scott Caan and guest star Malcolm-Jamal Warner (shown here) provide some strong starpower. Read more…
Let’s officially designate this as “The Summer of Laurence Leboeuf.”
For most of her 39 years, Leboeuf (shown here) has been in obscurity and/or Montreal. But now that can’t continue: Her subtly perfect performance in “Transplant” (8 p.m. Thursdays on NBC) demands attention.
Granted, Leboeuf is already fairly well-known in quieter (and, perhaps, saner) parts of the world. For two decades, she’s been busy in Canadian films and TV shows, working in French or English. She’s drawn nominations for roles ranging from a cop (“19-2”) to a teen tennis star (“15/Love”), a bike-racer caught in a cheating scandal (“The Little Queen”) and a free-spirited, post-apocalyptic hero (“Turbo Kid”).
But most of those never got here; her U.S. roles have been rare. Read more…
1) “American Music Awards, 8-10 p.m., CBS. Shorter than most award shows (two hours, not three), this still packs in the music. That includes Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, Renee Rapp, Lainey Wilson, Gloria Estefan and — getting career awards — Rod Stewart (shown here) and Janet Jackson. Jennifer Lopez is the host. Read more…
(This is the latest chapter of a book-iu-progress, “Television, and How It Got That Way.” For the full book, so far, click “The Book,” under “categories.”)
For a cozy time, streaming networks were just a bonus fringe.
They were kind of like an Imax theater in a multiplex or a luxury box in a stadium: They offered appealing alternatives (including “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” shown here), without affecting the masses.
Then Covid came and spun everything into overdrive.
In less than nine months, four major streamers were born — Apple TV+. Disney+, Max and Peacock. Others grew. Streaming seemed like a made-for-Covid phenomena. Read more…
1) “National Memorial Day Concert,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30.On the eve of Memorial Day, this offers an emotional blend of music and stories. The music includes gospel great Yolanda Adams (shown here); opera star Angel Blue; Loren Allred, who dubbed “Never Enough” for “The Greatest Showman”; and Scotty Hasting, a wounded veteran turned emerging country star. Read more…
1) “American Music Awards, 8-10 p.m. ET today, CBS. Jennifer Lopez hosts a night with music by Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and more. There are songs by young stars — Benson Boone, Renee Rapp, Lainey Wilson — plus memories, via Gloria Estefan and career awards for Janet Jackson (shown here) with her first TV performance in seven years, and Rod Stewart. Read more…
1) “The Equalizer,” 8 p.m., CBS. This excellent drama (shown here ina previous episode) won’t be back next season, so we should savor the reruns — today and at 10 p.m. Wednesdays. Today, Robyn tries to help a family that lost everything in a mysterious fire. Read more…
The Wednesday-night Canadian connection will continue this summer.
The CW network will air the fourth season of “Family Law” (shown here) at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, starting July 23. That comes a week after the season-finale of “Sullivan’s Crossing” … which took the timeslot after “Wild Cards.”
All three are from Canadian networks, a steady source of middle-of-the-road shows on CW. Read more…
1) “Girl From the North Country” (shown here), 9 p.m., PBS. In a boarding-house in 1934 Duluth, life is overwhelming. There are layers of snow and of secrets; the Depression has left people with no money and little hope. We get deep human portraits and powerfully performed Bob Dylan songs, including Mare Winningham doing “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Forever Young.” 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 
