1) “The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. June 12 will be the 30th anniversary of the deaths of Simpson (shown here) and Ron Goldman. Now her life is viewed by the people who made documentaries on R. Kelly and Gypsy Rose Blanchard; they include home movies and more than 50 people. That reruns at 10:03, midnight and 2:04, then at noon and 6 p.m. Sunday, before the second half. Read more…
1) Basketball and hockey finals, ABC. This month, ABC turns into Sports Central, with the best-of-seven finals for two pro sports. Basketball — including the Celtics, show here — starts Thursday; hockey’s Stanley Cup finals start Saturday. Other basketball games are Sunday, then June 12, 14 and (if needed) 17, 20 and 23. Hockey continues on June 10, 13, 15 and (if needed) 18, 21 and 24. Most start at 8:30 p.m. ET, with Sundays at 8. Read more…
1) “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 80th Anniversary,” 9 p.m., PBS. Here’s a splendid blend – Broadway’s greatest songs, sung by amazing talents. Several of the stars are better known in London (where this was filmed), including a powerful Michael Ball (shown here) and a vibrant Marisha Wallace. But there are also Broadway stats, including Patrick Wilson, Aaron Tveit and the superb Audra McDonald.
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1) “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19” finales, 9 and 10 p.m., ABC. Last week, the Station 19 crew fought a wildfire roaring toward Seattle. Now the “Grey’s” doctors face an overload of burn and smoke victims; then the firefighters and paramedics continue their struggle (shown here). That wraps the seventh and final season for “Station 19”; “Grey’s” will be back for its 21at. Read more…
1) “The Conners,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. There’s been bad news lately for this above-average comedy. It won’t be back until mid-season … and that will be its final season. Fortunately, there are four-rerun spurts today on ABC and Saturday on CW. At 8:30 p.m. today, Becky introduces her boyfriend (Sean Astin, shown here with her) to her daughter. At 9. there’s a pivotal moment involving Jackie’s mom. Read more…
1) “America’s Got Talent” season-opener, 8-10 p.m., NBC. Here’s the show that tends to dominate summertime ratings. Most of its time is spent on auditions, with a wild assortmentof people singing, spinning, dancing, leapng and such. (Shown here is Renya Roberts.) On Aug. 13 (after an Olympic break), it will turn to live performances and viewer votes. Read more…
This summer, PBS will fill voids left by other broadcast networks.
It will have dramas – strong, smart ones, led by “Grantchester” (shown here) – on Sundays. It will also have music – a couple concerts, an opera and a three-part look at the disco era.
Alongside that will be extended looks at ecology and comedy … plus two weeks devoted to the Republican and Democratic conventions.
The big-four commercial networks have lots of summer games and reality shows, but no scripted dramas. That’s where PBS starts to fit in; it will have: Read more…
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…
