Month: July 2023

1) “The Wonder Years,” 9 p.m., ABC. Most weeks, Saycon Sengbloh (shown here with Dule Hll) is in the background, as Dean’s mom. Now she gets a terrific showcase, complete with great songs. Sengbloh was in seven Broadway musicals, usually in the chorus or understudying a star; then a play brought her fame and a Tony award. Here, her mother-in-law (R&B/gospel great Patti LaBelle) taps her for the church choir. The story is fairly good; the music is glorious. Read more…

1) “A Capitol Fourth,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30. Each year, this offers a rich variety of music from the Capitol lawn, capped by fireworks (shown here). This year has a Tina Turner tribute from Adrienne Warren (who played her on Broadway), a musical tribute to soldiers and their families by Renee Fleming and Charles Esten singing “Let Freedom Ring” as the fireworks flow. Also Chicago, Babyface, Boyz II Men, Belinda Carlisle, Maddie & Tae and more. Read more…

1) “SharkFest,” National Geographic Channel. It’s been almost a half-century since “Jaws” had a great white shark invading an upscale resort area. Now a 9 p.m. film tells us there’s a growing number of great whites feeding near Cape Cod. That’s one of three new hours about sharks (shown here), surrounded by reruns. One, at 8 p.m., asks if attacks are affected by sound; another, at 10, eyes bull sharks attacking a hammerhead. Read more…