1) “Franklin” debut, Apple TV+. In 1776, Ben Franklin headed to Paris with his teen grandson. He was 70 or 71 (25 years older than George Washington), gifted in science, romance and people skills; that last one would play a key role in the Revolutionary War. Michael Douglas (shown here), 79, and Noah Jupe, 19, star in a smart and well-crafted series, with the first three episodes (of eight) airing today. Read more…
1) “Young Sheldon,” 8 p.m., CBS. Some shows build an entire finale around a wedding. For “Sheldon,” that’s just one piece of a big, busy episode, five weeks from the series finale. Yes, Georgie and Mandy get married (shown here), in a brisk scene that has both big laughs and warmth. But there’s much more here, ranging from the baby to the illegal casino, affecting 10 great (and varied) characters. Read more…
1) “Abbott Elementary,” 9 p.m., ABC. After two weeks of reruns, this dandy comedy returns to new episodes. Tonight, Jacob (shown here) is startled to learn that his colleagues don’t even read his emails. In fact, they have someone else respond.
Read more…
1) Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise” debut, 10 p.m., Freeform. Reality shows like to be in pretty places, with pretty and/or wealthy people. This one is on a small (22 miles long) Caribbean island (shown here) that has busy bankers and 75,000 people. One is Elizabeth Chambers, a TV cook and personality; news arrives about the allegations toward her ex-husband, actor Armie Hammer. Read more…
1) Gershwin Prize, 8-10 p.m., PBS. Elton John (shown here n a previos concert) and his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, get the annual award for popular song. They’re in the front row, hearing their songs — from gorgeous ballads (Garth Brooks, Maren Morris) to gospel-style zest (Billy Porter and a sensational Jacob Lusk). There are big moments from Annie Lennox, Charlie Puth, Metallica, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell … and from John. Read more…
1) “Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office” debut, 9 p.m., PBS. In tiny postal sub-stations across England, managers were told the same things: They owed money … they might lose their jobs and go bankrupt … and no one else had this trouble. Then they linked and found that LOTS of people had the trouble, tied to an iffy computer system. Over three weeks, Toby jones (shown here)leads a stirring, real-life story. Read more…
1) Basketball, 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS, TNT and TruTV. The college tournament has its final four teams now. Two were expected — Purdue and Connecticut, each seeded No. 1 in its quadrant. The others provide underdogs: North Carolina State (shown here), No. 11 in its quadrant, faces Purdue; then Alabama, No. 4, faces Connecticut. The winners collide Monday. Read more…
1) “Fire Country” return, 9 p.m., CBS. The term “fire tornado” sounds like horror fiction, sort of like “Sharknado.” But lt’s is a real thing, when fire creates a deadly whirlwind. Alternately called a “fire whirl” or a “fire devil,” it was seen in California in 2018 and 2020; in tonight’s episode (shown here) it approaches the fictional town of Edgewater. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth” return, 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. This is Elsbeth (shown here in red) at her best – all bright colors and bright smiles, clashing with dark-hued New Yorkers. That peaks in the first hour, with Linda Lavin, 86, as a despotic co-op head. Soon, Elsbeth is probing board members and a realtor (Jane Krakowski). It’s a clever hour, followed by one with the star of the “Lavish Ladies” reality show found dead. Read more…
1) “Nova,” 9 p.m., PBS. A solar eclipse (shown here) requires lots of coincidences, we’re told. That starts with the fact that the sun is 400 times the moon’s size and 400 times as far away. The April 8 eclipse will cut a swath from Dallas to Montreal, with 4-plus minutes of blackout. The start of this interesting hour has warnings – even with special glasses, don’t look through a telescope or camera – and details. Read more…
