Weekly Previews

Weekly Previews

Week’s top 10 for April 15: Motown music

1) “Motown 60,” 8-10 p.m. Sunday, CBS. It was 60 years (and three months) ago that Berry Gordy borrowed $800 and created Motown Records. It soared; one week, it had eight songs in the top 10. Some of the stars – Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Thelma Houston, Smokey Robinson (shown here with Pentatonix) will perform and others (Mary Wilson, songwriters) will offer memories. Also performing: Tori Kelly, John Legend, Meghan Trainor, Fantasia, Ne-Yo, Ciara, more. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 22, 2019
Weekly Previews

Week’s TV top-10 for Monday, April 1

1) Academy of Country Music awards, 8-11 p.m. Sunday, CBS. Generations and genres blend, with fresh collaborations.
It will be Brooks & Dunn with Luke Combs; Kane Brown with Khalid; Dierks Bentley with Brandi Carlile; George Strait with Miranda Lambert (who also does a flashback medley). Kelly Clarkson separately joins Dan + Shay and Jason Aldean … who also links with Florida Georgia Line. Others performers include Reba McEntire (who hosts), Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 28, 2019
Weekly Previews

Week’s top-10 for March 25

1) “Abby’s” debut, 9:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC. A quarter-century after “Cheers” closed its doors, NBC has a new Thursday bar. It’s outdoors and probably illegal. Its proprietor (Natalie Morales) is a foot shorter than her best customer (Neil Flynn) or her worst obstacle (Neil Franklin), but she’s an ex-Marine and people obey her.
Be warned that many critics dislike “Abby’s”; we disagree and find two of the barflies (played by Jessica Chaffin and the massive Leonard Ouzts) hilarious. See what you think. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 27, 2019
Weekly Previews

Weekly top 10 for Monday, March 11

1) “Empire” and “Star” return, 8 and 9 p.m. Wednesday, Fox. “Empire” has had lots of attention lately, none of it enviable; stories focus on Jussie Smollett, who faces criminal charges and was written out of the season’s final two episodes. You’ll see his character (Jamal) here, struggling with his love life. But Jamal is just one part of a rich blend of great music and brash soap opera. Now the family has a shot at reclaiming its record label. Then, at 9 p.m., Star – who has just had her baby – jeopardizes her career. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / March 13, 2019