1) “American Ninja Warrior” couples championship, 8-10 p.m., NBC. For NBC, this starts a summer surge. Tonight (shown here) – a week before the regular “ANW” season begins — 12 couples compete. On Tuesday, “America’s Got Talent” starts its season. Both shows lead into new game-show episodes; tonight it’s “The Weakest Link,” with host Jane Lynch and eight military veterans. Read more…
Morgan Spurlock, who died Thursday at 53, did much to expand the noble world of documentaries.
Like Michael Moore, he showed that “look at me” can be a legitimate technique … and that a light approach can fit a serious subject.
And unlike most people, he showed that everyday subjects can be documentary-worthy. That began two decades ago, with “Super Size Me” (shown here).
Spurlock died of complications from cancer, a spokesman said. He left a rich body of work that fit neatly into the prime of cable-TV. Read more…
1) “National Memorial Day Concert,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30. On the eve of Memorial Day, here’s a passionate blend of music and true stories. The music is from Broadway’s Cynthia Erivo, Ruthie Ann Miles and Patina Miller, plus country’s Gary LeVox (of Rascal Flatts) and Jamey Johnson, with a song about his fellow Marines. Stories are told by Bryan Cranston, BD Wong and more. Read more…
After a prolonged pause, the CW network has decided the obvious: “Wild Cards” (shown here) will be back for a second season.
That won’t be until 2025, but it will be for 13 episodes, compared to 10 for the first year.
The light-hearted crime show did relatively well in the ratings, but the network was noncommittal about its future. The news finally came two months after the show’s first season ended and a week after the network set its fall schedule. Read more…
