Day: June 19, 2020

ABC decides “Black-ish” lives matter

This is a hectic time for ABC’s shows – especially the ones that try to make us laugh.
Suddenly, “Black-ish” (shown here) is back on the fall schedule … “Call Your Mother” is off it … Jimmy Kimmel is taking the summer off … And next month, something fairly rare – a new summer sitcom – will debut.
All of those came in separate announcements, during a time when forces – from COVID shutdowns to protest coverage – keep bringing change. They are: Read more…

News flash: Trump saves Juneteenth

Donald Trump told the truth the other day.
(No, really, he did. I wouldn’t make that up.)
In a Wall Street Journal interview, Trump said: “I did something good. I made Juneteenth famous.”
And he did, really. Evidence of that comes as networks – big broadcast ones and little cable ones – suddenly altered their plans for today (June 19), when celebraions (a past one is shown here) are planned. That started with the morning newscasts and will continue on into latenight. Read more…

Week’s top-10 for June 22: It’s awards time … twice

1) BET Awards, 8-11 p.m. Sunday, CBS and BET. Amid the surge of interest in black history and culture, CBS decided (for the first time) to simulcast BET’s awards. Comedian Amanda Seales hosts a virtual ceremony stuffed with music. That includes Chloe x Halle (shwon here at the Super Bowl), Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, country’s Kane Brown and Wayne Brady, known for comedy until he won “The Masked Singer.” Others include DaBaby, D Smoke, Jonathan McReynolds and Megan Thee Stallion. Read more…

Best-bets for June 21: A packed night of music and drama

1) “United We Sing,” 8-10 p.m., CBS. Harry Connick Jr. and his filmmaker daughter Georgia (they’re show here) take a road trip to honor workers. They meet famous friends (Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Queen Latifah, Drew Brees) and hear music from the greats of jazz (Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Wynton and Branford Marsalis) and more (Tim McGraw, Cyndi Lauper. John Fogerty, Andra Day, Jame Foxx, Little Big Town). Then Connick, Irma Thomas and Trombone Shorty perform in iconic New Orleans locations. Read more…