Mike Hughes on TV

1) “Lady in the Lake” opener, Apple TV+. In a 30-year career, Natalie Portman (shown hwew) has ranged from epic (three “Star Wars” films, three “Thor: ones) to artful (an Oscar for “Black Swan” and two more nominations). But except for brief visits, she’s skipped TV. Now, at 43, she stars in this seven-parter, as a housewife-turned-journalist, probing a murder. Read more…

1) Republican convention. The four-day event (shown here iin a prevous year) concludes, as always, with the acceptance speech by the presidential nominee, followed by balloons and commotion. That’s expected to be at 10 p.m., when ABC and CBS join the coverage (and when Fox stations can use the Fox News Channel feed). NBC starts at 9 p.m., PBS at 8, news channels even earlier. Read more…

1) “Big Brother” opener, 9 p.m., CBS. When “BB” (shown here in a previous year) began, strangers were in what seemed like a high-tech house, filled with cameras. But technology has expanded since then; ths edition is billed as “BB:AI.” Julie Chen Moonves hosts, episodes are also at 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays. Read more…

1) ”Judge Steve Harvey” return, 9 p.m , ABC.Tuesdays become Harvey’s night. At 8 p.m., he hosts “Celebrity Family Feud” (shown here in a previous episode); one round pits singers (Meghan Trainor vs. Tori Kelly), the other has alumni of “Bachelor” shows. At 9, he hears real-life conflicts, including a missing wedding officiant and a defamed pickleball player. Read more…

1) Republican convention (shown here in a previous year). As the campaign grind speeds up, networks have varied approaches. PBS will be there from 8-11 p.m. ET … CBS and ABC will jolin at 10 … cable nnews channels will obsess. And in a late change, NBC will have two parts – at 9 p.m., Lester Holt’s interview of Joe Biden; from 9:40 to 11, convention coverage.
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