1) “Destination X” and “Yes, Chef,” 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. As summer starts, it’s hard to keep up with all the reality shows. Here are second chances: “X” reruns its Tuesday debut; Jeffrey Dean Morgan hosts, with contestants trying to figure out where, in Europe, they are. (The photo here shows next week’s episode.) “Chef” reruns Monday’s hour; at a family-style dinner, chefs assess each other’s work. Read more…
1) “Kiss Me, Kate,” 9 p.m., PBS. After airing two grim, modern musicals, PBS goes the opposite way. Written in 1948, this ripples with great Cole Porter songs– some of them wildly unrelated to the story. (The second act begins with a “Too Darn Hot,” shown here, that’s long, vibrant and totally random.) Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J. Block are strong leads; the songs — “Too Darn Hot,” “So In Love,” “In My Fashion,” etc. — are delightful. Read more…
1) “Bob’s Burgers,” 8 p.m., Fox. With sports gobbling up summer Sundays, Fox moves its cartoons to Thursdays. Each has new episodes (3-6 of them), before needing reruns. “Bob’s” (shown here) find a conspiracy theory … “Grimsburg” has male sex workers dying … “Family Guy” has a “White Lotus” take-off … and “Great North” has Judy try dinner theater. Read more…
1) “Raid the Cage” season-opener, 9 p.m., CBS. As the summer begins, CBS’ plans are surprisingly modest. There are occasional specials (including the Tonys, June 8), lots of reruns, plus this show, starting its second season. Damon Wayans Jr. hosts with Jeannie Mai. Contestants answer questions to get extra time; then try to grab prizes (shown here) before a gate closes. Read more…
1) “Alert: Missing Persons Unit” finale, 9 p.m., Fox. It may be the end of the line for this well-made drama. (Fox hasn’t renewed or officially canceled it.) Despite some credibility gaps, this finale has a sharp, twisty story of prom, politics and a multiple-kidnapping. Scott Caan and guest star Malcolm-Jamal Warner (shown here) provide some strong starpower. Read more…
1) “American Music Awards, 8-10 p.m., CBS. Shorter than most award shows (two hours, not three), this still packs in the music. That includes Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, Renee Rapp, Lainey Wilson, Gloria Estefan and — getting career awards — Rod Stewart (shown here) and Janet Jackson. Jennifer Lopez is the host. Read more…
1) “National Memorial Day Concert,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30.On the eve of Memorial Day, this offers an emotional blend of music and stories. The music includes gospel great Yolanda Adams (shown here); opera star Angel Blue; Loren Allred, who dubbed “Never Enough” for “The Greatest Showman”; and Scotty Hasting, a wounded veteran turned emerging country star. Read more…
1) “The Equalizer,” 8 p.m., CBS. This excellent drama (shown here ina previous episode) won’t be back next season, so we should savor the reruns — today and at 10 p.m. Wednesdays. Today, Robyn tries to help a family that lost everything in a mysterious fire. Read more…
1) “Girl From the North Country” (shown here), 9 p.m., PBS. In a boarding-house in 1934 Duluth, life is overwhelming. There are layers of snow and of secrets; the Depression has left people with no money and little hope. We get deep human portraits and powerfully performed Bob Dylan songs, including Mare Winningham doing “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Forever Young.” Read more…
1) “Transplant” season-openers, 8 and 9 p.m., NBC. It’s a strong start for this well-made Canadian medical drama. The first hour finds two incoherent people (one with a foot amputated) in the woods; the second has a giant sinkhole. There are also key personal glimpses of Bash (shown here), the Syrian immigrant; in brief flashbacks, we learn about his rescuer.
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