1) “Once Upon a Time in Space” opener, 9 p.m., PBS. For decades, the U.S. and Russia fought for space supremacy. Then — reluctantly, at first, in the Mir shuttle (shown here) — they merged. This is a huge story, told with third-party brilliance by British filmmakers. Over four Tuesdays, interviews with astronauts and their kin bring passion and surprising bursts of warmth and humor. Read more…
1) “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” debut, 8 p.m. ABC. This opener seems like an audience-grabber. It has a dozen dancers, two sweet-faced guys — Robert Irwin (shown here winning “Stars” with Witney Carson) hosting, Derek Hough as the first mentor — and a worthy prize: The winner gets a spot as one of the pros paired with celebrities on “Dancing With the Stars.” Tonight, the dancers work on jive and samba. Read more…
Let’s say you want to get an Emmy nomination for acting.
Talent and training help, I suppose. Still, choose your show carefully.
The Emmy nominations, announced this week, include 26 names for supporting and guest roles in a drama. Twelve of them were for “The Pitt” on HBO Max.
Supporting roles? “Pitt” has half of them — four of the seven actresses, that includes last year’s winner, Katherine LaNasa (shown here with Noah Wyle, plus Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif and Sepideh Moafi. It also includes hree of the seven actors — Shawn Hatosy, who won last year in a guest role, plus Patrick Ball and Gerran Howell. Read more…
1) “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” debut, 8 p.m. today, ABC. Here are all the elements of a ratings-leader: a dozen dancers … two sweet-faced guys, Robert Irwin as host and Derek Hough (shown here with the female contestants) as the first mentor … and a notable prize — a spot as one of the pros paired with celebrities on “Dancing With the Stars.” Tonight, the dancers work on jive and samba. Read more…
1) “The 1% Club” and “Animal Control,” 7 and 8:30 p.m., Fox. Joel McHale is a big plus for Fox, with both of these shows — a game (which resumes new episodes Monday) and a situation comedy. The latter rerun is uneven, but has great moments at the start (with Rob Gronkowski) and the end: As union rep, Frank (McHale, shown here) must defend his enemy, Templeton. Read more…
1) World Cup, 5 and 9 p.m. ET, Fox. By the end of the day, the Cup will have its final four. It’s Norway-England at 5 and Argentina-Switzerland at 9. Those match-up include Cup scoring leaders: After five games, Argentina’s Lionel Messi (shown here) and Norway’s Erling Haaland have 8 and 7 goals. Read more…
TV, we’re told, is a world where stars can come from anywhere.
Or — as Jeff Hiller put it today while announcing the Emmy nominations: “In Hollywood, talent can come in every height.”
As proof, Hiller (6-foot-5) was standing next to “Bear” co-star Liza Colon-Zayas (5-foot).
The nominations list did show that nominees can come from every size, shape and ethnicity … but not, alas, from every medium. Broadcast networks are virtually shut out from the award show they’ll air (Sept. 14 on NBC).
The exception, as usual, is ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and its star, Quinta Brunson, again nominated for best comedy series and comedy actress, other than that, streamers or cable networks have all the nominees for: Read more…
1) “Big Brother: Unlocked” season-opener, 8 p.m., CBS. For its second season, this show — airing on alternate Fridays — is expanding. It adds a studio audience and Jerry O”Connell, who is a “Big Brother” fan. He’ll join Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur (shown here last season) for behind-the-scenes perspectives. Read more…
1) “Big Brother” opener, 8-9:30 p.m., CBS. It’s the 28th year for this ratings leader, which gobbles up lots of time. There’s 90 minutes today (the “time trip” decor, shown here, and the housemates) and Sunday, then 90 on Wednesdays and 60 on Thursdays and Sundays. All are at 8 p.m., as is “Big Brother: Unlocked,” which is on alternate Fridays, including this week. Read more…
1) “The American Southwest,” 10 p.m., PBS. The Colorado River (shown here) flows for 1,450 miles, from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. It carved the Grand Canyon and is partly diverted to California farms. This portrait juggles gorgeous vistas, clumsy narration, strong ecological comments and views of critters, from beavers to snakes and salmon flies Read more…
Best-bets for July 14: stars of space and sports 
Best-bets for July 13: One show debuts, three return 
Best-bets for July 12: double-Joel, plus sharks 
