Month: August 2021

1) “Riverdale” return, 8 p.m. CW. When we last saw this show, it seemed to have taken craziness to the limit. There was a jail break at the for-profit prison built by Veronica’s dad … and a fire … and escapees trashing Riverdale High … and a drug-crazed Jughead (really) wandering loose. And now? Things somehow get crazier – peaking with a psychedelic musical scene alongside a “Batman”-style fight. It’s all very well-done … but a long leap from the cheery Pop’s diner days (shown here) of the past. Read more…

1) “Fantasy Island” debut, 9 p.m., Fox. In a summer of reality and reruns, here’s a surprise – a lush, scripted drama on a big network. It reboots the series that ended in 1984 – now with Roselyn Sanchez (shown here), of “Grand Hotel” and “Devious Maids” as the grand-niece of the original Mr. Roarke. Like him, she looks great in white and guides people to self-discovery; there are key guest stars, starting with Bellamy Young of “Scandal.” Still, the opener has a somber tone and is merely an OK viewing experience. Read more…

1) “The Bachelorette” finale, 8 p.m., ABC. The last two episodes have left the show in tatters. Michael Allio left to be with his son; then Greg Grippo left after he said he loves Katie Thurston (shown here) and she (vowing not to mention love until the finale) didn’t reciprocate. She wept in the bathroom and asked for a flight home. Now – barring her departure or Greg’s return – she has overnight dates with Blake Moynes and Justin Glaze, followed by a decision. Read more…

1) Olympics finale. It’s time for more spectacle, complete with pomp and people, plus (we’ll assume) dancers and fireworks (shown here is the 2016 ceremony) and more. You can catch the closing ceremony live at 7 a.m. ET on Peacock or on tape at 8 p.m. on NBC. In between, there are tapes of finals: At 9 a.m. ET, USA has women’s basketball; from 1-6 p.m. ET, NBC has women’s volleyball and handball and men’s water polo, plus cycling and group rhythm gymnastics. It also has a wrap-up at 7. Read more…

1) Olympics. The final day of competition has lots of finals. Peacock (6-11 a.m. ET) has six in track-and-field, many of them (including women’s high jump, shown here from the 2016 games) rerunning on NBC tonight. Then there’s the live coverage of team gold-medal matches: men’s soccer, 7:30 a.m. ET, NBC Sports Network … men’s volleyball, 8 a.m., NBC … women’s basketball, 10:30 p.m., NBC … and women’s volleyball, 11:30 p.m., USA. Read more…

1) Olympics. In a day filled with finals, things start early and continue late. In the morning, Peacock has six track-and-field finals (6-11 a.m. ET), NBC Sports Network has men’s bronze-medal soccer (7:30a.m.) and USA has women’s field-hockey finals and volleyball semi-finals (6-10 a.m.). At night, NBC has the men’s basketball gold-medal game (an earlier game is shown here) at 10:30 p.m. ET. Also at night (after 8), NBC reruns many of the day’s track finals and CNBC has the bronze and gold matches in men’s beach volleyball. Read more…