Mike Hughes on TV

Film captures NYC’s perpetual comebacks

At 9 a.m. one Tuesday, I was phoning Ric Burns, a gifted filmmaker.
His “New York: A Documentary Film” was finally wrapping up. The first five parts aired in 1999, showing a city that was merely created for commerce … then somehow became a cultural-social core for the world. Now, two years later, the final two chapters were ready.
It was a fascinating film, but during the interview, I kept noticing a commotion in the newsroom: At 8:46 and 9:03 a.m., planes had crashed into the World Trade Center.
In the weeks that followed, people would ignore most other things … including Burns’ films, which aired Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. A quarter-century later, he’s put things back in order; the new final chapters — spanning 9/11 and much more — air from 9-11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 20-21) on PBS. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 20, 2026

Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 22: It’s a packed night, from dancing robots to judging Judy

1) “America’s Got Talent” finals, 10 p.m., NBC. The 10 finalists get one more chance to get votes; on Wednesday (9-11 p.m.), one will become champion. There are only two music acts, ages 14 and 16, plus four dance acts — including dogs, robots (shown here) and light-up dancers. There’s another dog act, two magic acts and an aerialist. “The Voice” auditions precede this at 8. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 20, 2026

Stories

At a tot’s party, a Secret Service show emerged

\es, birthday parties for 2-year-olds can seem a tad frivolous.
There’s too much noise, too little substance. But one such party led to “Line of Fire” (shown here), which debuts at 10 p.m. Monday (Sept. 21) on NBC, the first new, scripted show of the broadcast-network season.
That started three years ago, with a party for Barbara Bush’s daughter. Guests included Jenna Bush Hagar (Barbara’s twin sister) and writer-director Joshua Safran, a neighbor whose daughter was a friend of the birthday girl.
The conversation, Hager said, got around to the Secret Service people who protected their father (President George W. Bush) and his family. “We talked about this dynamic of people who are putting other people first, in many circumstances. What happens in their own family is complicated.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 19, 2026

Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 21: opener for “Voice” and more

1) “The Voice” season-opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. This is one of the rare times when half of the judges are new. Queen Latifah and country’s Riley Green (shown here) join the 19th year for Adam Levine and 11th for Kelly Clarkson, each with four champions so far. This week, blind auditions continue from 8-10 p.m. Tuesday and 8-9 Wednesday. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 18, 2026

Stories

The new season starts now … or maybe later

(This is the lead story for a three-part season-preview. The others — also under “stories” — have round-up of the streaming shows and the broadcast-network shows.)
Right about now, shouldn’t we be celebrating a new TV season?
Perhaps, but two questions loom: When does it start? And is it worth celebrating?
For that second one, the answer is “sort of.” It’s a modest start — no new shows on ABC or Fox, three each on CBS and NBC — but with bright spots.
One new fall show is terrific (CBS’ “Cupertino,” shown here), some others are promising. One mid-season show is excellent (NBC’s “Rockford Files” reboot), others could be. And six of last year’s mid-season shows are on the fall schedule, one of them (Fox’s “Best Medicine”) outstanding.
But when does the season start? Take your pick: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 18, 2026

Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 20: fine dramas, light or somber

1) “Best Medicine” season-opener, 8 p.m., Fox. If you missed the first season of this charming oddity, here’s the perfect way to meet it. A mermaid (well, sort of) has been rescued (shown here). To help her, townsfolk must admit their own quirks and flaws, which are ample. This hour repeats two days later, when the show takes its regular Tuesday spot. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 18, 2026

Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for Sept. 21: openers and “AGT” finale

1) “America’s Got Talent” finals, 10 p.m. Tuesday and 9-11 p.m. Wednesday, NBC. It’s been an odd year, with only two music acts — Nene Royal (shown here) and Lai Noelle, ages 16 and 14 — in the finals. There are four dance acts (including dogs, robots and light-up dancers), another dog act, two magic acts and an aerialist. They perform Tuesday and viewers vote; the next day, there’s a winner. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 17, 2026

Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Sept. 19: Ferrell wraps the “SNL” summer

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. The “SNL” summer ends the same way the regular season ended — with Will Ferrell hosting and Paul McCartney as music guest. Ferrell even shows up in chains as the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein (shown here), haunting Donald Trump. Next Saturday, “SNL” has its earliest opener in 14 years, with basketball’s Jalen Brunson hosting. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 17, 2026

News and Quick Comments

It’s Madonna forever; she’ll open the VMAs

Here’s another sign that Madonna is forever:
She’ll do the opening number in this year’s Video Music Awards — 42 years after she was nominated as best new artist.
Back then, the VMA’s were strictly on MTV; this year, they’re 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET Sept. 27 on CBS, MTV and other networks. And this year, at 68, Madonna (shown here_ leads with 11 nominations, including song of the year (“Bring Your Love”) and artist of the year. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 16, 2026

Stories

Yes, there are new shows — a few, anyway — this fall

(This is one of three stories previewing the fall season. The other two — also under “stories” — are a main piece and a round-up of streaming shows.)
Here are this fall’s new, broadcast-network TV shows — a meager list,
Lumping together six networks, there are still only eight new series. ABC and Fox each contribute zero.
Networks seem to be waiting for mid-season, when they’ll have “Baywatch” and “Rockford Files” reboots, a “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off and more.
Some of the new fall shows — especially “Cupertino” (shown here) — are instantly likable, some not. The list is chronological, by category; three of the eight — “Newlyweds,” “NCIS: New York” and “Private Eyes West Coast” — still didn’t have episodes available for review, as of Sept. 16: Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 16, 2026