1) “Matlock” debut, 8 p.m., CBS. In a tradition that goes from Miss Marple to Elsbeth, an older woman – unnoticed or underestimated — triumphs. This time, it’s Kathy Bates (shown here) as a lawyer bearing the same surname as an old TV lawyer. She’s a delight, but stick around: A final twist pushes an already-excellent show to a higher level Read more…
1) “The Choice,” 9-11 p.m. Tuesday, PBS. Each presidential year, the “Frontline” people create a profile of the candidates. The result – in the PBS tradition – tends to be deep, detailed and even-handed. Now comes the third “Choice” portrait of Donald Trump and the first of Kamala Harris. Even in a week stuffed with debuts (including “Murder in a Small Town,” shown here), this is the most important telecast. Read more…
1) “The Equalizer,” 8 p.m., CBS. The fifth-season opener is still five weeks away, so the show goes back to a much earlier episode. This is the second one of the fourth season, with a young girl killed during an illegal street race. Robyn probes the crash (shown here) and her daughter considers a military career. Read more…
We expect streaming networks to deliver the odd and the obscure. Space men are good; dragons are better.
But Paramount+ also has one of the most familiar characters in TV history. Its “Frasier” sequel (shown here) starts its second season Thursday (Sept. 19).
Frasier Crane has already been in 481 TV episodes, dubbed into languages worldwide. “The guy who does the Spanish one is very good,” said Kelsey Grammer, who plays him.
And the reruns seem inescapable. “We go to England quite a bit,” Grammer told the Television Critics Association. There, “Frasier” has been a morning rerun “for 30 years, I guess. (My) kids are like, ‘Oh God, Dad’s on.’” Read more…
1) “Secret Celebrity Renovation,” 8 p.m., CBS. A year ago, this amiable show wrapped its third (and, seemingly, final) season. But here’s a new, stand-alone episode. Baseball star Mookie Betts returns to Nashville to renovate his father’s house. Soon, he’s swinging a sledge hammer (shown here) instead of a bat, with help from designer Sabrina Soto and construction guy Rob Mariano. Read more…
1) “Young Sheldon,” 9 p.m., CBS. As last week’s rerun ended, the family learned that Sheldon’s father had died. Now comes the funeral (shown here), a complicated time for a teen unfamiliar with most emotions. This rerun (like next week’s series finale) is a skillful mix of humor and pain. Read more…
Julia Alvarez was 10 when her sunny life began to spiral.
Her father was linked to an attempt to kill the Dominican Republic dictator. She fled to the U.S. with her parents and sisters. The family was “losing everything,” she told the Television Critics Association. It was a new language and a new culture, with little money or sunshine.
And 30 years later, that would lead to a novel (“How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents”) that would bring praise from readers and disagreement within her family. Now she’s the focus of “American Masters,” at 9 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 17) on PBS. Read more…
If you’re planning an awards show, here’s the essential requirement:
Make sure that Steve Martin is there early as (at least) a presenter.
Martin has been a delight working solo … or with Martin Short … or as part of the “Only Murders in the Building” triad, with Short and Selena Gomez.
That’s what he did Sunday, early in the Emmys (shown here). Alongside some great work from the hosts (Eugene and Dan Levy), we knew this would be a fun night. Read more…
1) “MasterChef” finale, 8-10 p.m., Fox. This started with home chefs from four generations. But in recent weeks, the remaining older chefs (ages 52, 62, 63 and 70) were ousted. Surviving are Kamay Lafalaise, 34; Michael Leonard, 27; and Becca Gibb, 24. They’ll prepare an appetizer, entree and dessert; then the judges (shown here in a previous episode) will choose the $250,000 winner. Read more…
1) “America’s Got Talent,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. The 10 finalists perform; then viewers vote … and wait a week to learn who won. The choices include two singers (including Dee Dee Simon, shown here), a comedian and a magician, plus a dance group, an acrobatic group, an aerial duo, a drone duo, a dog act and an “air dance” group. They’re from Japan, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Tanzania and the U.S. Read more…
Best-bets for Feb. 10: Men’s duel begins anew 
Best-bets for Feb. 9: survivors, skaters, librarians 
Best-bets for Feb. 8: Super Bowl … and much more 
