Day: August 17, 2023

Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for Aug. 21: Archie and Charity end; debate and football seasons begin

1) “Riverdale” finale, 9 p.m. Wednesday, CW. A fun tradition ends. For decades, CW has been the home of shows based on superheroes or other youth-culture folks. Now, under new owners, that mostly stops with “Riverdale.” This season, Archie and pals jumped to the ‘50s, then returned to now with their memories wiped. It’s been an odd show, but Lili Reinhart has been excellent as Betty (shown here with Veronica). In this finale, she’s 86 and want to relive the final day of her senior year. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 17, 2023
News and Quick Comments

For fall, FX sets horror, mystery and “Fargo”

This fall, the FX people will deliver something that is becoming scarce – new, scripted TV shows.
That will include a double shot of horror – in time for Halloween – plus a crime-solving mini-series and a “Fargo” mini-series (shown here with Dave Foley).
Even if the strikes are settled, TV will mostly lack new, scripted shows this fall. The exceptions will be premium cable (HBO, Showtime, Starz) and streamers, which work far in advance
FX occupies both worlds. Some of the shows it produces air only on the Hulu streaming service; others debut at 10 p.m. on basic-cable (FX or FXX), then reach Hulu the next day. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 17, 2023
Daily Best Bets

Best-bets for Aug. 19: Networks link with laughs and songs

1) “Stand Up to Cancer,” 8 p.m., ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and more. Every two years, people combine for comedy sketches and talks, raising millions for cancer research. This show, the eighth, comes during the writers’ and actors’ strikes, so it will rerun sketches with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Melissa McCarthy Bill Hader and more. It also reruns music by The Who, Brittany Howard (shown here) and the widow of Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer at 43. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / August 17, 2023