Month: May 2021

1) “Mom” series finale, 9 p.m.,, CBS. One of the decade’s best comedies ends with a cascade of plot twists – some grim, some joyous, some just silly. One dandy scene has Bonnie (Allison Janney, furthest right of the women shown here) navigate the plot twists by phone, alternately putting different people on hold. Another has an Alcoholics Anonymous newcomer learn that these now-cheery women can match any of her nightmares. All of this is both hilarious and warm, twin moods that Janney handles deftly. Read more…

1) “The Masked Singer,” 8 p.m., Fox. Two weeks from its finale, this fifth edition is down to its final five – Black Swan, Piglet, Chameleon, Yeti and several people inside Russian Dolls (shown here). Lately, this has unmasked top singers — Bobby Brown, Mark McGrath and, last week, Tyrese Gibson. Earlier, it dumped movie villain Danny Trejo, Internet star Logan Paul, ex-Olympian (and current politician) Caitlyn Jenner, actress Tamera Mowry-Housley and all-around superstar Kermit the Frog. Read more…

1) “Mayans M.C.” season-finale, 10 p.m., FX; reruns at midnight. At times, “Mayans” seemed headed for a great series-finale; then came the word it’s been renewed for next year. This hour is, as usual, beautifully written, directed and acted; still, there are times when its seems to strain to prolong the story. Last week, EZ told Gaby he wants to leave town with her (they’re shown here in a previous episode); also, Galindo drugged his wife, started to drown her, then relented. Now two compelling characters – Adelita and Potter – finally collide. Read more…

) “Power of Women: The Comedians,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. In previous years, this has focused on movie stars and singers. Now it honors six masters of TV comedy. Half started on “Saturday Night Live” – Kate McKinnon (shown here_, Maya Rudolph and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. So did two people (Aidy Bryant and Bowen Yang) doing interviews, plus Tina Fey, who presents a tribute to the original “SNL” star, Gilda Radner. Also honored: Sofia Vergara and two writer-producer-stars, Mindy Kaling and Michaela Coel. Read more…

1) “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” 9 p.m., NBC. This has become a delight, making clever use of its gimmick: Usually (shown here), Zoey can hear other people’s thoughts, via pop songs. But now that gimmick is set aside for a week, with great results. A brilliant script (by newcomer Celeste Klaus and Sam Laybourne, one of the producers) flashes back to before Zoey’s “gift” … and before she knew Max and Mo … and before her dad was sick. It does insert some music, in sly little touches that fans will savor. Stick with it to the end. Read more…