1) “Nova: Can Dogs Talk?” 9 p.m., PBS. They can, sort of. Given an array of buttons, they can step on the one that says a specific noun (a toy) or a request (a walk, a meal) or even a concept. Scientists have been skeptical, setting up careful tests. The results are fun to watch; so are the dogs — delighted by their new skill — and their people. Read more…
If you encase a story with elegance — beautiful people wearing gorgeous things in stately places — you can get away with a lot.
That pops up now, with two lush productions:
— “Bridgerton” (shown here) has just aired the first half of its eight-episode season on Netflix. The second half arrives Feb. 26.
— “Forsytes” debuts March 22 on PBS’ “Masterpiece,” for a six-week run. Read more…
1) “The Turpins: A New House of Horror,” 10 p.m., ABC. At 17, Jordan Turpin (shown here in a later photo) escaped and told police about her 12 siblings, as young as 2, being abused. Their parents were sentenced to life in prison. Eight years later, the younger kids tell Diane Sawyer more about that … and about ensuing failures of the foster-care system. Read more…
One day, long ago, Andrea Martin’s neighbor bubbled with praise.
She really liked Martin’s work in “SCTV,” she said. Also, she liked “the three other women” in the show.
Martin laughed and explained that the “three women” were Catherine O’Hara.
That story — from Dave Thomas’ “SCTV” (1996, McClelland & Stewart) — comes to mind now, with O’Hara’s death Friday, at 71, after a brief illness. For generations, she had richly varied roles.
Many people knew her from the “Home Alone” films and her Emmy-winning work in “Schitt’s Creek” (shown here). Long before that, however, she was part of Canada’s great comedy convergence. The quotes here are from Thomas’ book. Read more…
“Beyond the Gates” (shown here) is near its first anniversary now, surprising many people — including its creator.
“I didn’t think anything was going to come of it,” Michele Val Jean said.
Her doubts were logical. The number of soap operas on broadcast networks had sunk from 13 to three. There hadn’t been a new one since 1999 … and that one (“Passions”) had died in 2007.
Still, Val Jean had been hired to plan an ambitious soap, set in a gated enclave for rich Black families. “I thought, ‘It’s a good little project for me to do while Covid is going down. (I’ll) make a little extra money and then go on about my business,'” she told the Television Critics Association. Read more…
1) “Brilliant Minds,” 10 p.m., NBC. In the first few minutes, a potential tragedy seeps into the hospital. Viewers know it’s there; the staff (shown here) doesn’t — until chaos breaks out. It’s a terrific episode that fades a bit in the final minutes. Read more…
1) Super Bowl, 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC. The Seattle Seahawks (shown here) and New England Patriots, each 14-3, collide. It’s the 12th Super Bowl for the Patriots (going for their seventh win), but the first in\seven years. They got here with a snowy, 10-7 win over the Broncos. It’s the fourth Super Bowl for the Seahawks, eyeing their second win; they edged the Rams, 31-27. Read more…
1) Grammy awards, 8-11:30 p.m. Trevor Noah hosts and Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations. Performers include Leon Thomas (shown here) and Sabrina Carpenter, each with six nominations. He’ll be part of a number that includes all the new-artist nominees; others are Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Sombr, Katseye and the Marias. Read more…
1) “Deliverance” (1972), 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies, or “I Am Burt Reynolds” (2021), 8 p.m., CW. One channel has Reynolds’ best film (shown here), the compelling story of a river trip gone bad. Another has an excellent biography: Reynolds went to college to play football and meet women. After an injury, he detoured and became No. 1 at the box office. Read more…
1) “Stumble,” 8:30 p.m., NBC. After two straight hilarious episodes, here’s one that’s merely quite funny. Amid a town blackout, the cheer team can’t practice. Its coach fidgets, schemes and ignores her husband’s free-time suggestions. We miss seeing most of the cheer kids, but there’s a dazzling moment (shown here) near the end. Read more…
Best-bets for March 23: clever comedies, plus bowlers 
Best-bets for March 22: a big, busy night 
Best-bets for March 21: lots of basketball … and lots of alternatives 
