1) “America’s Most Wanted” season-opener, 9:02 p.m., Fox. Back in 1988, Fox was a mini-network, airing only two nights a week. It debuted “AMW,” with John Walsh (whose son was kidnapped and killed) profiling suspects. The show was canceled after 23 years, then revived often. Now it’s back, hosted by Walsh (shown here), 79, and his son Callahan. Read more…
1) “Secrets of the Penguins” (shown here), 8-11 p.m., National Geographic. Here’s wildlife filmmaking at its finest – brimming with information and emotion. We see adult penguins from 4-foot-tall to 18 inches, from the Namib desert to the Antarctic ice. We see patience, anger and clever strategies, from herding anchovies to stealing fish out of the bill of a pelican. Read more…
1) Earth Day, Tuesday. Alongside splendid films in their libraries, streamers have new ones – “Sea Lions of the Galapagos” (shown here), Disney+; “Kiss the Ground,” Amazon Prime; “Pangolin,” Netflix; “Jane,” Apple TV+; “The Americas,” Peacock and Hulu. Also, the delightful “Secrets of the Penguins” is on Disney+ and reruns 8-11 p.m. Tuesday on National Geographic. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 8 p.m., CBS. The world isn’t quite ready for Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) on a jury (shown here). A lawyer herself, she’s smarter than the prosecutor, way smarter than the rumpled defense attorney … and way more honest that the judge. He’s played by Michael Emerson (Preston’s husband), in a terrific rerun that sets up next Thursday’s so-so episode. Read more…
1) “NCIS: Sydney” and “Fire Country,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Both shows are a week from their season-finales. (Yes, they’ll be back.) The Sydney team (shown here) faces searing heat, while probing a Marine’s death during a joint training exercise. Then a routine house fire escalates, putting a firefighter in danger. Read more…
After 55 years, Earth Day is still going strong.
And after 4.5 billion years (give or take a couple), the Earth itself is going semi-strong.
As the day arrives (April 22), people still plant trees, clean rivers, visit parks … and watch TV. There are plenty of choices there.
The streaming services store Earth-ly films from the past, especially on Disney+, Apple TV+ (shown here is “Jane”) and Netflix. In addition, new ones keep arriving. Read more…
1) “Matlock” season-finale, 9-11 p.m., CBS. Matty (shown here) finally told Olympia the truth: She’s been lying, to learn which man – Olympia’s ex-husband or his dad – buried a drug report that could have saved lives. Amid a fractured friendship, they now push ahead. It’s a fairly strong ending to a great season. Still, it leaves way too much hanging until next year. Read more…
Not all animals are telegenic, you know.
We rarely see a good film about anteaters, moles or wild boars. But penguins (shown here) are always ready for their close-ups.
“They’re so much like people … very relatable,” said filmmaker Bertie Gregory, whose charming “Secrets of the Penguins” debuts from 8-11 p.m. Sunday (April 20) on the National Geographic Channel, then repeats on Earth Day (April 22).
In a way, penguins have the qualities of an ideal date: They’re cute and available.
“Most filmmakers are hidden behind bushes, shooting with a Zoom lens,” Gregory, 31, said. But penguins don’t mind company; at times, they’ll visit the human and stare with curiosity. Read more…
1) “Sherlock & Daughter” debut, 9 p.m., CW. A quick-witted American feels she’s Sherlock Holmes’ daughter. He disagrees, but needs her on a case. It’s a smart story that starts (shown here) when she has a quick friendship with a rich girl. Some things are settled next week; others continue for six more weeks. Blu Hunt (“The Originals,” “The New Mutants”), who has Lakota and Apache roots, is impressive alongside David Thewlis. Read more…
1) “The Cleaning Lady,” 8 p.m., Fox. This show has killed two interesting FBI agents; now it has its best character yet. An assistant district attorney, he brims with false folksiness, Columbo-style. Perfectly played by Robert Cicchini (shown here), he squeezes Thony … who has much to hide, including a mercy killing. It’s a terrific episode, with a big twist near the end. Read more…
