Mike Hughes on TV

1) “American Ninja Warrior” couples championship, 8-10 p.m., NBC. For NBC, this starts a summer surge. Tonight (shown here) – a week before the regular “ANW” season begins — 12 couples compete. On Tuesday, “America’s Got Talent” starts its season. Both shows lead into new game-show episodes; tonight it’s “The Weakest Link,” with host Jane Lynch and eight military veterans. Read more…

1) “National Memorial Day Concert,” 8 p.m., PBS, rerunning at 9:30. On the eve of Memorial Day, here’s a passionate blend of music and true stories. The music is from Broadway’s Cynthia Erivo, Ruthie Ann Miles and Patina Miller, plus country’s Gary LeVox (of Rascal Flatts) and Jamey Johnson, with a song about his fellow Marines. Stories are told by Bryan Cranston, BD Wong and more. Read more…

1) “I Am Steve McQueen,” 8-10 p.m., CW. One generation has Sir Steve McQueen, the Oscar-winning director; another had this Oscar-nominated actor (shown here). As a teen, he was in the reformatory; as a Marine, he was in the brig. He battled directors, raced motorcycles and died at 50. He was a potent film force; one example, “The Great Escape” (1963), will be 5 p.m. ET Sunday on Turner Classic Movies. Read more…

1) “Purlie Victorious,” 9 p.m.,, PBS. Three weeks before the Tonys, this has six nominations, including best play revival and two for its actors (shown here): Leslie Odom Jr. romps through a blitz of florid dialog, as the scheming but good-hearted Purlie; Kara Young offers some Carol Burnett-style moves, as his accomplice. They partly conquer the show’s broad humor and turbo-speed dialog. Read more…

1) “Elsbeth” season-finale, 9 p.m., CBS. Amid some towering, glowering fashion models, Elsbeth (shown here) seems out of place. She’s 5-foot-4, given to bright clothes and brighter smiles. But before this hour ends, we’ll see an Elsbeth-inspired fashion show That part gets a tad goofy at times, but there’s also a solid murder mystery. It’s a fairly good finish to a terrific first season. Read more…