Month: February 2020

1) “Tommy” debut, 10 p.m., CBS. TV loves to show an outsider, tackling new turf. Here’s a prime example: “Tommy” Thomas, the new Los Angeles police chief, is female … and gay … and from New York. She’s an instant anomaly. In the wrong hands, this could have been riddled with cliches. “Tommy,” however, is written by Paul Attanasio, who drew Oscar nominations for “Donnie Brasco” and “Quiz Show” and then created “House.” It stars Edie Falco (shown here), a four-time Enmy-winner. Resisting cliches, they give us deeply layered characters. Read more…

1) “Chicago P.D.,” 10 p.m., NBC. A tough hour starts quietly. Earlier this season, we learned that Kim Burgess (Marina Squercian, shown here in a previous episode) is pregnant via Adam Ruzek, a fellow cop who is her ex-fiance. Assigned to light duty, she’s working the 9-1-1 calls. That’s when a plaintive call grabs her emotionally. What follows is a terrific hour – sharply and subtly written and played – that takes Burgess (and viewers) on an emotional roller-coaster. Read more…

1) State of the Union address and response, 9-11 p.m. ET, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and news channels. This is a unique time in history – a president preparing his speech while he’s been facing impeachment and planning a re-election push. People will probably be interested in Donald Trump’s comments and in the Democratic response by Michigan Gov.Gretchen Whitmer. If not? We’ll list some 9 p.m. alternatives, including (shown here) some CW time-travel. Read more…

1) “Some Like It Hot” (1959), 9:45 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies. We’re in Oscar Week, leading into Sunday’s Academy Award ceremony. And TCM’s “31 Days of Oscar” has barely started. “Hot” (shown here in a color poster for the black-and-white film) won one Oscar (for costumes), but was nominated for five more, including Jack Lemmon in support; the American Film Institute named it the funniest American movie of all time. Lemmon stars with Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe … whose “Bus Stop” (1956) is at 8. Read more…