Year: 2020

1) “American Masters: Unladylike,” 9 p.m., PBS. This summer’s PBS shows have been propeling us toward a milestone – the 100th anniversary (Aug. 26) of women’s vote in federal elections. But before the national change, individual states stepped in. We meet Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon, who was elected in 1896 to Utah’s state senate and sparked health reforms; her statue (shown here) is alongside the state capitol. And Jeannette Rankin, elected by Montana to Congress in 1916. It’s a strong hour that also includes black, Latina and American Indian activists. Read more…

1) “In the Dark” season-finale, 9 p.m., CW. For the second straight season, “Dark” started slowly and built to a crescendo. Murphy (who is blind) and friends have until midnight to find and return the drugs Ben stashed before his death. Now they collide with Dean (the crooked ex-cop), who also wants the drugs. This has a too-long detour that strains believability, but then wraps things up powerfully … and propels us toward next season. Despite its flaws, “Dark” has subtly gifted actors (especially Perry Mattfeld and Brooke Markham, shown here, as Murphy and Jess) in a gripping story. Read more…

1) “Tough as Nails” debut, 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Here is tough-guy Americana – a retired Marine with four combat tours, a scaffold-builder, two firemen and more. And here are tough women, too – a farmer, a welder, an ironworker … and Michelle Kiddy (shown here), baggage-handler who is 62 and described as “5-foot-nothing.” That’s the charm of this working-skills show. which Phil Keoghan co-produces (with his wife), directs and hosts. The bad news is the repetition of cliches; the good news is a solid human core. Read more…

1) “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” 8-9:30 p.m., ABC. Norman Lear’s best comedies were like plays – great dialog, mostly confined to one room. That’s why they work so well in live productions with fresh casts. Tonight’s first rerun has Woody Harrelson and Marisa Tomei in “All in the Family” (shown here). one dinner guest (Jesse Eisenberg) is dodging the draft; the other (Kevin Bacon) had a son who died in Vietnam. Then “Good Times” has Andre Braugher and ViolaODavis argue about a local councilman. Read more…

1) “POV: The Vote,” 9-11 p.m., PBS; concludes Tuesday. Back in 1848, 300 women convened to push for the vote; it would be a long push. “I have struggled for 60 years for just a little justice,” Susan B. Anthony said later, “and will die without securing it.” She died, at 86, in 1906; 14 years later, her cause finally succeeded. As the 100th anniversary (Aug. 26) approaches, this four-hour documentary views the long struggle, one with protests, arrests, hunger strikes, righteous rage and belated victory. (The scene here, not from the series, shows Hilary Swank as activist Alice Paul in “Iron Jawed Angels.”) Read more…