1) “Secrets of the Octopus,” 8-10:52 p.m., National Geographic Channel. Ignored (or feared) for centuries, octopuses (shown here) are the new media stars. They deserve the attention. They can change color, shape and image; they can hide from a predator, befuddle a prey, befriend a scientist. This terrific three-parter reruns at 10:52 p.m. today and then at 7:08 p.m. Monday, in an Earth Day marathon. Read more…
For fans of TV mysteries, there’s been s burst of good news.
“Elsbeth” (shown here) has bee:n renewed … “Grantchester” has a new-season date … and “Miss Scarlett & The Duke” (sort of) has a new Duke (sort of). Details include: Read more…
1) “Secrets of the Octopus,” 7:08 to 10 p.m. today, National Geographic Channel. Earth Day brings a flood of splendid films (including “Queens,” shown here), led by a rerun of this series, which debuted Sunday. We see the octopus in all its complexity. It’s cautious, yet ready to reach out for some humans … It’s a camouflage master, changing shape and color …. It’s also a cunning predator, even disguising as a passing cloud. Read more…
1) Basketball playoffs begin. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers needed an extra game (via the “play-in” phase) to get here, but now they’re in the playoffs. At 8:30 p.m., ET on ABC, they visit the Denver Nuggets (shown here ina previous game. That wraps an opening day that has games on ESPN at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Minnesota and at the New York Knicks. Read more…
1) “Now Hear This,” 9 p.m., PBS. As a young violinist, Scott Yoo was “tortured” by the demands of Nicolo Paganini’s music. Now he explores the legends – some true, some not – surrounding the composer. He also has interesting (but fairly pointless) looks at the masters of other fields. That’s followed at 10 p.m. by splendid virtuosos – saxophonist Joshua Redman, his band, and singer Gabrielle Cavasso (shown here). Read more…
1) “9-1-1,” 8-11 p.m., ABC. The entire shipboard crisis reruns in one burst. After Bobby and Athena start their belated honeymoon, things unfold slowly: Late in the first hour, there’s a problem – and an explosion; late in the second, people onshore begin to suspect something’s wrong. Meanwhile, Bobby and Athena scramble to save lives (shown here). Read more…
The Earth, it seems, is a really large place. Maybe not compared to Jupiter or the sun, but compared to you, me and a chihuahua.
And Earth Day is a really big subject for TV. There will be a flurry of specials that day (Monday, April 22) and the weekend before it, starting Wednesday(April 17) with Netflix’s “Our Living World” (shown here). Read more…
It’s easy to fall for something that’s cute, cuddly and koala-like. An octopus might be a bigger challenge.
Almost 2,000 years ago, Pliny, a Roman commander/philosopher. said: “No animal is more savage.” As recently as 20 years ago, writer Sy Montgomery told the Television Critics Association, people “thought: ‘Aren’t they monsters? Aren’t they gross?’”
They do look odd, but they also have remarkable skills and personalities And now, as researcher Christine Huffard put it: “Octopuses are having a moment.”
There was the fictional Hank in “Finding Dory” and real-life creatures in PBS’ “Octopus: Making Contact” (2019) and the Oscar-winning “My Octopus Teacher” (2020). Next is an Earth Day documentary mini-series from James Cameron. Read more…
1) “Animal Control,” 9:02 p.m., Fox. The network’s only non-cartoon comedy has become a pleasant surprise, mixing brief animal sight gags and some solid character humor. Now we’re back to the dating woes of Frank (Joel McHale, shown here). Having flubbed the apps, he asks Emily to set him up. Also, Patel and Shred try to do the remodeling work on their investment property. Read more…
1) “The Good Doctor,” 10 p.m. Tuesday, ABC. On a rerun night for ABC, here’s the hour that introduced a likable actress to a broader audience. Kayla Cromer, who is on the autism spectrum, co-starred in a snall cable comedy; now she plays Charlie, who is autistic. Tonight (shown here) she works with Shaun (her inspiration for becoming a doctor) and promptly oversteps her role. Read more…
Best-bets for April 21: crime, romance and octopuses 
Best-bets for April 20: Playoffs begin, Earth Day nears 
Best-bets for April 19: music surge — jazz, Joel and classical 
