Ralph Fiennes is pumped, meet the new Wolf Man and penguin secrets
Ralph Fiennes stars in a new take on Odysseus in ‘The Return.’
FRIDAY, April 18 Jane Tonight begins season three of the Emmy-winning kid-centric series based on the early life of Dr. Jane Goodall (played by Ava Louise Murchison) as the young budding environmentalist begins her lifelong quest save endangered animals (Apple TV+).
Wolf Man A new take on another Universal monster-movie classic (like The Invisible Man), this one stars Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner in a modernized tale of a husband with some beastly behavior (Peacock).
SATURDAY, April 19 Desire: A Temptation Story Tasha Smith and Adrian Holmes star in twisty tale—which kicks off a broader network franchise—about a talk-show host who marries her new suitor, only to find that her desires have led her down a dangerous path (8 p.m., Lifetime).
SUNDAY, April 20 Secrets of the Penguins Discover never-before-filmed secret traditions, surprising intelligence and the close-knit societal bonds of penguins in this eye-opening series filmed in some of the world’s most extreme places. Narrated by Blake Lively (Nat Geo).
The Rehearsal Season two of the mock-doc comedy series begins tonight, with Nathan (Nathan For You) Fielder helping more people “prepare” for difficult conversations and encounters through the use of actors and extensively recreated sets (HBO).
MONDAY, April 21 Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out Zits alive! Dr. Sandra Lee (TV’s “Dr. Pimple Popper”) returns in this all-new reality series about all kinds of oozy-doozy derma drama (10 p.m., Lifetime).
The Return Mythology comes alive in this new drama starring Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus, returning to his kingdom 20 years after the Trojan War—and not quite the mighty warrior he used to be (Paramount+).
TUESDAY, April 22 America’s Most Wanted Calling all armchair detectives! John Walsh returns, joined with his son, Callahan, for another season of using viewers’ leads to ferret out bad guys and crack crimes (9 p.m., Fox).
Deep in the Heart Actor Matthew McConaughey narrates this celebration of the diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife that share his home state of Texas (Pluto TV).
WEDNESDAY, April 23 Changing Planet: River Restoration Learn how ongoing projects are bringing back life to two rivers essential to humans and nature (10 p.m., PBS).
THURSDAY, April 24 Étoile Dance-world dramedy set in New York and Paris—from the director of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel— follows two world-renowned ballet companies trying to save their institutions. With Maisel’s Luke Kirby, plus Charlotte Gainsbourgh and David Alvarez (Prime Video).
Black Snow Crime drama returns for season two with more gripping missing-persons cases set in Australia’s Glasshouse Mountains. Starring Travis Fimmell and Jana McKinnon (AMC+).
Why we love our pets, rock stars align for vinyl & Marty Stuart goes to the movies
FRIDAY, April 11 Pets It’s national Pet Day! So celebrate with this new doc (above) from director Bryce Dallas Howard about the extraordinary relationships between animals and their people—it’s a “different breed of love story” (Disney+).
Your Friends & Neighbors Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn star in this new series about a hedge fund manager grappling with a divorce and stealing from his friends and neighbors, uncovering some dangerous secrets in the process (Apple TV+).
SATURDAY, April 12 Vinyl Obsession Celebrate National Record Store Day with rock icons—including ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons (above), STYX’s Tommy Shaw and Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach—as they visit two iconic vinyl retailers to toast the LPs that shaped their music (1:30 p.m., AXS TV).
Doctor Who Alan Cumming guest stars in season two as a cartoon character, Mr. Ring-a-Ding, who suddenly realizes there’s a “real” world out there beyond the screen (Disney+).
SUNDAY, April 13 Patti Jinich Explores Panamerica The James Beard Award-winning Mexican chef and TV personality explores the Panamerican Highway, stretching from Alaska to Argentina, celebrating the many cultures along the way (9 p.m., PBS).
Godfather of Harlem Season four of the drama series, about a bloody war for the control of Harlem against New York Mafia families, stars Forest Whitaker and Ilfenesh Hedera (MGM+).
MONDAY, April 14 Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid The actor returns for another season of looking into some of history’s most remarkable legends, sacred objects, holy places and secret rituals (10 p.m., History Channel).
TUESDAY, April 15 Marty Goes to the Movies Acclaimed country and bluegrass artist Marty Stuart joins host Alicia Malone to showcase six of his favorite films—tonight and continuing April 22—including Coal Miner’s Daughter, which brought Sissy Spacek an Oscar, and Door-to-Door Maniac, which featured Johnny Cash his first acting role back in 1966 (TCM).
The Carters: Hurts to Love You Documentary traces the soaring rise to stardom of brothers Nick (of Backstreet Boys) and Aaron—but also the heartbreaking tragedies of drugs and addiction, mental health issues and Aaron’s death, at age 34, in 2022 (Paramount+).
WEDNESDAY, April 16 Government Cheese Surrealist comedy starring Daniel Oyelowo, about an unconventional California family in the 1960s gloriously unfettered by the real world as their lives spin into chaos (Apple TV+).
Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero Angelica Houston, Oliver Jackson Cohen, Emily Hyland and Matthew Rhys star in this new limited series (above) based on the mystery queen’s 1944 novel about a scandalous celebrity divorce, a tennis star, a mysterious valet and a web of jealousy, deceit…and murder (BritBox).
THURSDAY, April 17 Leverage: Redemption In season three of the heist drama, the team of reunited vigilante do-gooders continues to take down rich, amoral criminals and fight for those in need of their aggressive social justice (Prime Video).
Law & Order: Organized Crime For the fifth season, Det. Stabler (Chris Meloni) returns to New York after a decade abroad to rebuild his life during a devastating personal loss, digging into work to dismantle the Big Apple’s most vicious and violent illegal enterprises (Peacock).
BRING IT HOME
Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll Learn about a musical legend in this rootsy documentary about Huddie “Lead Belly” Leadbetter, born into Southern poverty in 1903 but growing up to become the king of the 12-string guitar, putting his stamp on folk songs, gospel tunes and blues in songs like “Pick a Bale of Cotton,” “Midnight Special,” “Cotton Fields” and “Willy and the Poor Boys.” His wide spectrum of real-life musical topics included prison, cowboys, drinking, women, politicians, despots, hard work and good times. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, Lead Belly inspired countless other artists, including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Allman Brothers and Nirvana, all of whom covered his tunes. Interviews and performance clips from Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Janis Joplin and Joan Baez further testify to his enduring legacy. (MVD Entertainment).
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Wonderlands In “I Am the Walrus,” John Lennon sang about “sitting in an English garden, waiting for the sun.” Maybe he was sitting and waiting in one of the gardens Claire Colson spotlights in Wonderlands (Penguin-Random House), a spectacular display of private manor greenspaces (and the horticultural architects who crafted them) in Great Britain. From bucolic, immaculately manicured backyards to sprawling, idiosyncratic countryside ecosystems, it offers a guided tour of tranquility abroad without ever leaving your home. P.S., the photos are so good, and so inviting, you might want to take an antihistamine before settling in for a read.
How to Giggle Why so serious? That’s a question the Joker once asked, ominously, in The Dark Knight. It’s also a question authors Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo (hosts of the wildly popular podcast Giggly Squad) address in How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously. It’s a suggestion to tee-hee when life gets tough, through all sorts of circumstances, like awkward moments, romantic red flags and everyday anxieties. Have fun with the interactive quizzes and tips on scaling down scary situations. And lay those everyday troubles down and pick up a copy. (Simon & Schuster)
Frank Lloyd Wright One of the world’s most celebrated and masterful architects gets the coffee-table-book treatment in this splendid look at the life and work of the Wisconsin native who designed more than 1,000 structures over 70 years and was recognized as “the greatest architect of all time.” Author Robert McCarter analyzes Wright’s work chronologically, with archival drawings, photographs, floor plans and explanations about how every project “connects” to the discipline of architecture. (Phaidon)
Caitlin Clark How big a deal is basketball phenom Caitlin Clark? Well, big-deal enough that she now has her own Little Golden Book Biography filled with facts about her childhood, her record-setting years at the University of Iowa and being the first player chosen in the WNBA draft. Learn from author Marisa DiNovis and illustrator Joanie Stone how the little sports-loving girl from Des Moines, Iowa, grew up to be the most famous female college basketball player in the entire realm of sports…not to mention becoming the player responsible for the explosion of new interest in women’s hoops and a hero to young girls everywhere! She shoots, she scores—big!
What to watch, and more, Friday, April 4 – Thursday, April 10
Michelle Williams is dying for sex, ‘Austin City Limits’ turns 50 & a funky history lesson!
FRIDAY, April 4 Dying for Sex Inspired by a true story, this new drama series stars Michelle Williams (above) as a young woman whose diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic breast cancer compels her to leave her husband and begins to explore the full breadth and complexity of her sexual desires. With Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney and Sissy Spacek (Hulu).
Austin City Limits The venerable music series celebrates its 50th anniversary as former spotlight artists (Lyle Lovett, Billy Strings, Indigo Girls, The Mavericks and more) return to the fabled stage in Austin, Texas (9 p.m., PBS).
SATURDAY, April 5 The Visioneers with Zay Harding New half-hour adventure series takes viewers around the world showcasing scientists, engineers and everyday folks creating visionary solutions to environmental issues (check local listings, CBS mornings).
Give Me Back My Daughter Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) stars as a homeless single mom (above) struggling to make ends meet who then loses custody of her daughter (8 p.m., Lifetime).
SUNDAY, April 6 Collector’s Call Host Lisa Whelchel spotlights more people who, well, collect things, like Hot Wheels cars, Star Wars toys, Indiana Jones memorabilia, PEZ dispensers and 3,500 pair of Crocs (6:30 p.m., MeTV).
An Evening With Elton John and Brandi Carlile The two music-makers get to together to make music—and discuss their new collaborative album, Who Believes in Angels? (8 p.m., CBS).
MONDAY, April 7 The Chelsea Detective Adrian Scarborough and Vanessa Emme return for another season of digging into the dark undersides of London in this twisty British crime series (Acorn TV).
TUESDAY, April 8 We Want the Funk! Take a trip through the history of funk music in this documentary tracing its roots in African, soul and jazz, and its later influence on new wave and hiphop (9 p.m., PBS).
The Handmaid’s Tale The hit dystopian drama begins its sixth and final season, more relevant than ever, with a returning ensemble cast including Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Bradley Whitford and Ann Dowd (Hulu).
WEDNESDAY, April 9 Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing Documentary exposes disturbing accounts of abuse and exploitation in the realm of online child influencers (Netflix).
Celebrity Jeopardy Tonight, its Roy Wood Jr., Natalie Morales and Robin Thede competing for $1 million for charity (9:02 p.m., ABC).
THURSDAY, April 10 G20 Viola Davis stars in this new action thriller as a U.S. President who becomes the No. 1 target when the G20 summit for international economic cooperation comes under siege (Prime).
Hacks The hit, award-winning showbiz comedy series starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder (above) returns for more about the relationship between a comedy veteran and a scrappy, much younger writer (Max).
Daniel Craig’s ‘Queer’ turn, a ‘Simpsons’ TV milestone & a taboo-bustin’ Oprah special
FRIDAY, March 28 Queer Daniel Craig (above) takes a big swing away from his movie run as macho superspy James Bond to star in this heartfelt movie about a gay American in Mexico City in the 1950s, where sparks fly when he makes an intimate connection with a former U.S. soldier (Max).
The Rule of Jenny Penn Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow star in this creepy film about sinister goings-on in a retirement home (Shudder).
Mid-Century Modern New comedy series from the creators of Will & Grace stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham—and a parade of guest stars—in a romp (above) about three gay best friends who decide to spend their golden years in Palm Springs (Hulu).
SATURDAY, March 29 Wife Stalker Keisha Knight Pullam stars in this new drama thriller about a woman whose husband leaves her for another female with a nefarious past (8 p.m., Lifetime).
SUNDAY, March 30 The Last Anniversary Original mystery drama series (above)—set on a beautiful remote island shrouded in secrets—stars Teresa Palmer as a young woman drawn into a tangled generational web (AMC+).
The Simpsons The longest-running primetime scripted show in TV history returns tonight for season 36 (yes, 36!) as Bart tries to become a celebrity DJ and Homer finally pushes Flanders too far (8 p.m., Fox)
Mobland Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan (above) and Helen Mirren are among the cast of this new crime series—about power struggles within a global crime syndicate—from action-centric director Guy Richie (Paramount+).
MONDAY, March 31 Truelove A group of old friends reunited at a funeral and make a drunken pact to see that each other dies with dignity. But such a “good” idea turns into a shocking reality in this series with an ensemble cast (Acorn TV).
An Oprah Winfrey Special: The Menopause Revolution The Queen of daytime TV hosts this primetime event all about the inevitable event all women who live past “a certain age” will face, diving into the once-considered-taboo topic with a panel of experts and a live audience (10:01 p.m., ABC).
TUESDAY, April 1 Audrey A wild, snarky dark comedy about a mom who’ll do anything to achieve her dreams—even assuming the identity of her daughter when she falls into a coma. With Jackie Van Beek and Lindsay Taylor (checking streaming services for availability).
American Masters—Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story Screen icon Liza Minnelli—the daughter of legendary actor Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli—is spotlighted in this documentary with a look into her dynamic life from childhood to Broadway and the silver screen, where she found Oscar-winning superstardom in Cabaret (9 p.m., PBS).
WEDNESDAY, April 2 Oklahoma City Bombing: One Day in America Find out in this new series all about the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, 30 years ago, which claimed 168 lives and changed America forever (8 p.m., National Geographic).
THURSDAY, April 3 Pulse New medical drama—from Emmy-winning writer Carlton Cuse—stars Wilia Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher and Chelsea Muirhead (Netflix).
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Five of the top albums from one of the world’s most acclaimed bands are now available together on Fleetwood Mac 1975-1985 (Rhino), which includes the LPs Fleetwood Mac, Rumors, Tusk, Mirage and Tango in the Night, available as six LPs or five CDs. Relive hits like “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “Sara,” “Gypsy,” “Landslide,” “Say You Love Me” and “Rhiannon,” plus many more.
Forty years ago, Tina Turner exploded into the pop mainstream with her iconic breakthrough album Tiny Dancer. A new 5-CD set (from Parlophone) commemorates the milestone with a grand collection of remastered original tracks, plus B-sides, extended versions, rarities, previously unreleased cuts, two live in-concert discs and a Blu-ray of promo videos for “Let’s Stay Together,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Better Be Good to Me” and “Private Dancer.”
BRING IT HOME
A truly “modern” love story, Companion (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) stars Sophie Thatcher, Lukas Gage and Jack Quaid in this horror tale of a super-serviant android built for companionship that goes murderously rogue.
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Vitamin V: Video and the Moving Image (Phaidon) takes a highly visual look at how film and video have become integrated into modern art, with more than 850 examples from some 100 artists from around the world who use “contemporary technologies in unexpected and often revolutionary ways.” And an essay explains how it all got started in the 1960s.
How could two very different songs, separated by an ocean, recorded within weeks of each other, offer so much insight into America in the 1970s, the British empire, and almost everything associated with global culture? Peter Silverton‘s engrossing London Calling New York New York (Trouser Press), breaks it all down in a fascinating tale-of-two-cities treatise built on these two seminal works of music from The Clash and Frank Sinatra.
FRIDAY, March 21 Sing Sing Acclaimed film about a theatrical program for inmates at the New York prison stars Dominique Colman and Paul Raci (Max).
Wicked Yes, Wicked! If you missed it in theaters, or just want to see it again (and again, and again), the spectacular-looking Hollywood treatment of the hit Broadway musical with the backstory of the Wizard of Oz witches, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, below, comes to streaming (Peacock).
SATURDAY, March 22 Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter Original network movie stars Raven Goodwin, Porsha Williams and Kennedy Chanel in the tale of a woman wrongly convicted of murder, then exonerated, but discovering that freedom can come at a price (8 p.m., Lifetime).
SUNDAY, March 23 Do Not Attempt Join magician and “endurance artist” David Blaine on a globe-trotting exploration of the boundaries between the real world and the realm of magic. But kids, don’t try this at home! (National Geographic).
Marie Antionette In season two, the seeds of revolution begin to take root, threatening the foundations of France’s long-standing monarchy. With Emila Schüle and Louis Cunningham (10 p.m., PBS).
MONDAY, March 24 Home Court Documentary about a Columbian American high school basketball prodigy who finds her life intensifying amid college recruitment, injury and triumph (streaming on Independent Lens, the PBS App and PBS Passport).
TUESDAY, March 25 The Cleaning Lady Season four begins about the increasingly dangerous double life of a former surgeon now an undocumented immigrant in Las Vegas and evading the law as part of a criminal organization. Cleaning can be complicated (8 p.m., Fox).
Family Legacy Meet more kids of famous music-makers—including the Go-Go’s, Slipknot, Lil John and Matchbox 20—in the new season of this half-hour cross-genre docuseries (Paramount+).
WEDNESDAY, March 26 Side Quest Four-part anthology based on the Mythic Quest universe and starring Rob McElhenney looks at the game’s impact on players and makers with a blend of docu-reality and comedy (Apple TV+).
The Studio New comedy series, above, stars Seth Rogen (who also writes and directs) as a newly appointed Hollywood exec walking the line between success and failure. With Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn and Ike Barinholtz (AppleTV+).
THURSDAY, March 27 Paul American Reality series go into the world of internet-sensation “content creators” Jake and Logan Paul and their burgeoning empire of followers, fight promotion, sports drinks, men’s products and gaming (Max).
Holland Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfadyen, Jude Hill and Gael Garcia Bernal star in this twisty tale of a teacher whose life is upended by suspicions, secrets and the realization that things—in picture-perfect Holland, Mich.—aren’t what they seem (Prime).
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Forty years ago, Tina Turner exploded into the pop mainstream with her iconic breakthrough album Tiny Dancer. A new 5-CD set (from Parlophone) commemorates the milestone with a grand collection of remastered original tracks, plus B-sides, extended versions, rarities, previously unreleased cuts, two live in-concert discs and a Blu-ray of promo videos for “Let’s Stay Together,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Better Be Good to Me” and “Private Dancer.”
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of its release, Paul McCartney’s chart-topping 1975 album Venus and Mars has been remastered from the original tapes to sound even better than before. It has all the tunes (including “Rock Show,” “Listen to What the Man Said” and the title track) plus other goodies, like a pair of posters and a bookmark sticker.
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How can we trust what our eyes see? It’s getting hard, in the age of artificially generated images online and in other media. In the fascinating The Synthetic Eye: Photography Transformed in the Age of A.I. (Thames & Hudson), author Fred Ritchin, a digital photography expert, investigates how artificial intelligence continues to transform our sense of what’s real, and its enormous ramifications for the future.
Get the inside scoop on one of America’s formative festivals for music, art, politics and freakshows, in Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival (St. Martins Press). It’s an oral history of the groundbreaking event as told by insiders and musicians who lived it during the ‘90s, including Pearl Jam, Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day and more.
What to watch (and more!) the week of March 14 – March 20
An Opry milestone, a ‘Ludwig’ who’s not Beethoven & Dennis Quaid puts on a “Happy Face”
All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, March 14 Dope Thief Brian Tyree Henry stars in the new eight-episode series about two longtime Philly delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob a house, only to have their small-time grift become a life-or-death enterprise (Apple TV+).
SATURDAY, March 15 Taken at a Basketball Game Can you guess what this new Lifetime movie’s about? If you guessed “A girl gets abducted at a basketball game,” you’re right! Starring D.B. Woodside and Claire Qute (8 p.m., Lifetime).
SUNDAY, March 16 Malawi Wildlife Rescue: Crocodile Capers In tonight’s episode, the team calms restless primates at the rescue centre and says goodbye to a rescued crocodile (10 p.m., NatGeo Wild).
MONDAY, March 17 The Calling: A Medical School Journey Documentary follows med students in the Bronx, capturing the experience of what it’s like to be an aspiring doctor in one of the nation’s most underserved communities (10 p.m., PBS).
A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read Did she kill her cop boyfriend and dump his body on a cold Boston night in January? Investigators thought so. But her 2024 trial created a lasting swirl of questions over what really happened, including a defense argument that something even more nefarious was at play (9 p.m., ID).
TUESDAY, March 18 The Class Dramatic six-part series, filmed over the course of the 2020-21 school year, follows a class of seniors and their teacher in Antioch, Calif., as they confront an unprecedented moment in modern time—the COVID-19 pandemic (check local listings, PBS).
WEDNESDAY, March 19 Good American Family It had to happen. Netflix’s wild-tale documentary about Nathalia Grace was so popular it spawned two follow-ups and has now inspired this TV drama series (above), about how an adopted orphan girl born with a rare form of dwarfism upended her adoptive family—just like the real story! It stars Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass and Imogene Reid (Hulu).
Opry 100 Country music’s most venerated institution celebrates a century of music and stars with this live three-hour TV special hosted by Blake Shelton and featuring Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Jelly Roll and many more of today’s Nashville stars (8 p.m., NBC).
THURSDAY, March 20 Ludwig No, not Beethoven. This British brain twister is about a puzzle maker (David Mitchell) who takes on the identity of his disappeared brother, calling on his expertise in all things cryptic to get to the bottom of what happened (BritBox).
The Residence New Shondaland drama about a (fictional) murder scandal involving the staff of the White House. Starring Uzo Abuda, Giancarlo Esposito, Ken Marino, Jason Lee, Molly Griggs and Bronson Pinchot (Netflix).
Happy Face Dennis Quaid (above) and Annaleigh Ashford star in this new drama series based on the true story of a podcaster who discovers that her father was a prolific serial killer (Paramount+).
Farmer Wants a Wife A third season of hunky hayseeds hankering for love and lifemates, this time hosted by Kimberly Williams-Paisley (9 p.m., Fox).
BRING IT HOME
Horror fans will howl with hairy delight at the latest take on The Wolf Man (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment), which stars Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott in a modern take on the classic tale from the re-makers of another classic, The Invisible Man. Bonus features includes a doc on the look of the new wolf man, as filmmakers set out to design a beast unlike any seen before.
Guess what’s turning 50? The outrageously entertaining “rock opera” Tommy, which became a cult classic—about “a deaf, dumb blind kid” who became a pinball wizard—after its theatrical release in 1975. The all-star cast includes The Who’s Roger Daltry, plus Jack Nicholson, Ann-Margaret, drummer Keith Moon, Elton John, Tina Turner and Oliver Reed. It’s a trip! (Shout! Studios)
Now fans of TV’s hit Emmy-winning series Shameless can own it all—134 episodes from 11 seasons and with a dynamic ensemble cast headed by William H. Macy, Jeremy Allen White and Cameron Monaghan—on Shameless: The Complete Series (Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment). And it’s “shameless” how many extras and bonus features you’ll get, too!
Hollywood biggest night, a murderous gigolo & Kevin Hart goes to ‘toon town
Will Conclave, Wicked or The Substance take home the night’s big Oscars?
FRIDAY, Feb. 28 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Guy Fieri loads up on barbecue, turkey legs and brisket fries on a trip to Memphis before heading to New York and blueberry pierogies, meatballs and cheddar chicken (9 p.m., Food Network).
Why You Like It: Decoding Musical Tastes Composer and musicologist Dr. Nolan Gasser explores the science and culture behind our musical preferences (check local listings, PBS).
SATURDAY, March 1 Killing the Competition Melissa Joan Hart stars in this new network movie inspired by the real-life story of a mother who turns to kidnapping when her daughter is cut from her high school dance team (Lifetime).
Million Dollar Zombie Flips House flippers fix up dilapidated homes in the Seattle area, turning them into mansions (11 a.m., A&E).
SUNDAY, March 2 The Oscars Conan O’Brien hosts, and we’ll see who comes out on top among top contenders including Emelia Peréz, The Brutalist, Conclave, Anora, A Complete Unknown and Wicked. And Karla Sofia Gascòn has already made history as the first openly trans woman to be nominated for Best Actress. But can she win after her “mean tweets” on social media? (7 p.m., ABC).
Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue Eric McCormack, Lydia Wilson and Adam Long are among the cast in this thriller series about survivors of a plane crash in the Mexican jungle who later begin to die in strange and violent ways. Ten passports, nine bodies, one deadly secret. (9 p.m., MGM+).
MONDAY, March 3 Recipes for Love and Murder In the new season of the culinary murder mystery (above), a massive fire engulfs the small town of Eden, and a fateful chain of events brings together the lead characters in a multiple homidide investigation that uncovers the town’s darkest secrets (Acorn TV).
Celtic City Nine-part documentary series chronicles the Boston Celtics, the city’s winningest sports franchise, from its founding to its triumphant 2024 season (HBO Sports).
Sin City Gigolo: A Murder in Las Vegas Docuseries (above) about the investigation of a former cast member of the TV reality show Gigolos, who was arrested for killing a young woman in his home in a bloody tangle of sex work, fame and the lure of “Sin City” (Paramount+).
TUESDAY, March 4 The Rare Breed No, it’s not the English Foxhound. Rather, it’s this rugged 1966 Western starring James Stewart, Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith—a rather unlikely combo of stars from It’s a Wonderful Life, The Parent Trap and TV’s Family Affair, in a tale that mixes bull breeding, greedy criminals and untamed Texas (8:45 p.m., TCM).
WEDNESDAY, March 5 The Amazing Race On your mark, get set…go! Go to the couch, that is, to watch as the 37th race in the hit TV competition begins tonight with a group of 14 new teams (above) kicking off their global trek in Japan (9:30 p.m., CBS).
THURSDAY, March 6 Deli Boys Comedy about a pair of Pakistani-American brothers who uncover the secret life of their late convenience-store magnate father (Hulu).
Lil Kev Adult animated comedy was inspired by Kevin Hart’s childhood in Philadelphia, with voices by Hart, Wanda Sykes and Deon Cole (BET+).
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The iconic 1986 Bon Jovi album Slippery When Wet, which catapulted the group into the rock mainstream and sold more than 12 million copies, has been re-released on multiple formats—including one with heavy-duty vinyl encasing a blue liquid…which looks slippery ‘n’ wet indeed! Hear classic hits (“You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Lilvin’ on a Prayer”), plus newly added bonus features on the digital edition, including live tracks from the group’s 1987 tour.
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What do termite mounds, dolphins, rainbows, carnivals, the Roman poet Ovid, our sense of balance, caves and animal feces all have in common? They’re all in Phenomena: An Infographic Guide to Almost Everything (Thames & Hudson), an engrossing collection of charts, graphics and other “visualized” information. Dig in and prepare to be well-informed!
BRING IT HOME
When Santa (J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped from the North Pole, his beefy head of security (Dwayne Johnson) springs into action with the help of a wisecracking bounty hunter (Chris Evans) to bring him home and save Christmas. It’s merry mayhem in Red One (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment), with appearances by Lucy Liu, Bonnie Hunt and Nick Kroll.
A ‘Star Wars’ marathon, Tom Hanks the all-American & the king of Israel is in da ‘House’!
The ‘Saving Private Ryan’ star narrates a 10-part doc about the Americas.
All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, Feb. 21 Surface In season two of the psychological thriller, Gugu Mbatha-Raw returns to the starring role as a young London woman who’s lost her memory and trying to piece her life back together—and realizing she’s in the company of some very dangerous people (Apple TV+).
A Thousand Blows The latest from the creator of Peaky Blinders, this new series (below) set in the brutal world of illegal boxing was inspired by true-life tales of survival in the criminal underbelly of 1880s Victorian London (Hulu).
SATURDAY, Feb. 22 Abducted in the Everglades Tori Spelling stars in this lurid TV movie as a mom searching for her daughter that goes missing on a spring break trip in Miami (8 p.m., Lifetime).
Star Wars Marathon Strap in and make the jump to hyperspace with Star Wars: The Force Awakens,The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker (begins 1:45 p.m., TBS).
SUNDAY, Feb. 23 The Americas Sprawling ten-part nature documentary series about our “supercontinent” of North and South America, narrated by Tom Hanks, was five years in the making—and you can see why! (NBC and BBC).
Grosse Point Garden Society Members of a suburban garden club find their lives interwoven by scandal, mischief and a scared secret. New series stars AnnaSopha Robb, Ben Rappapport and Nancy Travis (10 p.m., NBC).
MONDAY, Feb. 24 Beyond the Gates New daytime drama is set in a leafy Maryland suburb, one of the most affluent Black counties in America (and just beyond the gates of the White House). Starring Michelle Visage, Clifton Davis and Daphne Duplaix (2 p.m., CBS).
Bike Vessel After several heath crises, a 70-year-old man embarks on a transformative long-distance cycling trip with his son in this moving documentary (Independent Lens).
TUESDAY, Feb. 25 Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP Meet the longtime leader of the NAACP and one of the most influential—but least known—figures in civil rights history (9 p.m., PBS).
Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015 Six-part anthology illuminates the bold stories of people and communities who continue to work for equality and racial justice in the decades following the American civil rights movement (HBO).
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26 Baltimore’s Bridge Collapse Find out more about the 2024 disaster when a massive container ship plowed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six highway workers. Are other bridges at risk of the same thing? (9 p.m., PBS).
THURSDAY, Feb. 27 The House of David New series based on the biblical story of David (Michael Iskander) and how he eventually became the most celebrated and storied king of Israel (Prime Video).
The Case of Iwona Wieczorek This gripping docuseries delves into one of the best-known disappearances in recent Polish history, about a 19-year-old high school graduate who vanished on the way home from a party (Viaplay).
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The British ‘rock scene comes alive in Dennis Morris: Music + Life (Thames & Hudson), a handsome retrospective of the lauded rock photographer’s exploration of music, race, culture and class, and his capture-the-moment lens work with Bob Marley, Oasis, The Sex Pistols, The Pretenders, LL Cool J, Oasis, Grace Jones, Patti Smith, Marianne Faithful and other British celebs.
Baseball season only lasts about half a year, but A Baseball Book of Days (McFarland) by Phil Coffin stretches out the saga of the game through an entire year—a chronically arranged compendium of trivia, facts, record-setting achievements, firsts, onlys and what-might-have-beens made to last from January thru December. It’s a grand slam of goodies for baseball fans of any stripe.
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Celebrated the 40th anniversary of David Lee Roth’s post-Van Halen debut as a solo act with The Warner Recordings 1985-1994 (Rhino), a splendid five-disc set with “Just a Gigilo,” “California Girls,” “Tobacco Road,” “Just Like Paradise” and much more music from Diamond Dave’s albums and EPs, including Crazy From the Heat, Eat ‘Em and Smile and Skyscraper.
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It brought home an armload of eight Oscars, and now you can see why all over again as Amadeus celebrates its 40th anniversary with a new 4K restoration. With star turns from F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulse (fresh outta Animal House!) as the young musical genius Wolfgang Mozart, and Jeffrey Jones (the principal from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).
Valentine’s Day ‘toons, a Marvel marathon & the return of ‘The White Lotus’
Peter and Lois get frisky on a Valentine’s Day-themed ‘Family Guy.’
All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day Marathon Love is in the air, and on the screen, with back-to-back romantically themed episodes of King of the Hill, The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and Futurama (begins 9 a.m, FXX).
The Gorge Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy star in this new thriller about an unseen enemy, a cataclysmic threat against humanity, and two sentries stationed on opposite sides of a massive gorge (Apple TV+).
SATURDAY, Feb. 15 Marvel Movie Marathon After yesterday’s lovey-dovey, bulk up with some superhero action alongside Iron Man 3, Thor: Love and Thunder, Captain America: The First Avenger, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and more (7:30 am, continuing 8 a.m tomorrow, FX).
Cats, Cows and Cryptorchids Dr. Cori gives a cow a pregnancy test, and her colleague Dr. Allison gets a lucky break. And, p.s., cryptorchids are undescended testicles (10 p.m., National Geographic).
SUNDAY, Feb. 16 Lockerbie: The Bombing of Pan Am 103 New four-part investigative series tracks the mysterious circumstances behind the bomb explosion of a Pan Am flight over Scotland in 1988, resulting in the deaths of 270 people, the majority of whom were Americans (9 p.m., CNN).
The White Lotus The eight-episode third season of the twisty, Emmy-winning mystery drama from creator Mike White is this time set in an exclusive Thai resort, with a new cast that includes Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Walton Goggins, Michelle Monaghan and Parker Posey (HBO).
MONDAY, Feb. 17 A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Lucy Boynton (above) stars in this four-part series about the last woman hanged in England, in 1955, exposing British obsessions of class, sex and death (Britbox).
On TV: A Black History Month Special Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner, the first Black co-hosting team for Entertainment Tonight, host this look back at trailblazing Black TV actors and others forging new paths today (8 p.m., CBS).
TUESDAY, Feb. 18 We Beat the Dream Team The little-known story of a group of college basketball players who beat the legendary “Dream Team” (Larry Byrd, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordon) in a 1992 scrimmage (Max).
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19 Good Cop/Bad Cop Leighton Meester, Luke Cook and Clancy Brown star in new comedic drama series about a brother/sister odd-couple detective team investigating crimes in the picturesque Pacific Northwest (9 p.m., The CW).
Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief Discover the secret networks of curators and dealers who made fortunes from Nazi-looted art in the aftermath of WWII, perpetuating a decades-long war crime that’s never been fully revealed or resolved (10 p.m., PBS).
THURSDAY, Feb. 20 Memes and Nightmares Satirical film framed as a dark “buddy comedy” dives into the culture of memes, viral moments and digital fandom that have turned college basketball into a 24/7 cultural phenomena (Hulu).
How I Escaped My Cult New true-crime series kicks off with the tale of one young woman who recounts her horrific time as a sex slave for cult leader Tony Alamo, holding the keys to his eventual downfall (9 p.m., Freeform).
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Who was Hollywood’s first stunt woman? It was Helen Gibson, the subject of Mally O’Mera’s richly detailed biography Daughter of Daring (Hanover Square), which spotlights the former rodeo rider’s rough and tumble life in the movies in the early 1900s—long before Tom Cruise began to brag about doing his own stunts!
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The age-old tale of Dracula gets a horrifying new life in Nosferatu (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment), about a vampire (Bill Skarsgård) obsessed with a young maiden (Lily-Rose Depp) in a deliciously dark, goth-drenched saga of blood, lust and unholy evil. Willem Dafoe is an equally obsessed vampire hunter, and Nicholas Hoult is a swoon-worthy young swain. It’s a top-notch take that gives an iconic horror story a fresh new set of fangs.
Willie’s tailgate party, puppies in a bowl & Bridget Jones is back!
All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, Feb. 7 The Critics Choice Awards Conclave and Wicked lead the pack at this annual evening honoring the year’s top movies, acting and other achievements, as voted by people who cover film professionally. Chelsea Handler returns as host (7 p.m., E!)
We Live in Time Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh star in this acclaimed movie about a couple trying to build the life they’ve always dreamed of, until a painful truth puts their love story to the test (Max).
SATURDAY, Feb. 8 I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story Dramatized biopic (starring Joaquina Kalukango) about the rise to fame of America’s “Queen of Disco,” whose signature song “I Will Survive” became a timeless pop anthem of resilience, endurance and self-sufficiency (8 p.m., Lifetime).
65 This 2023 sci-fi adventure stars Adam Driver as an astronaut who finds—after a catastrophic crash—he’s actually stranded on Earth….65 million years ago! With Ariana Greenblatt (8 p.m., FX).
SUNDAY, Feb. 9 Puppy Bowl XXI Are you Team Ruff or Team Fluff? Pick your side for this annual clash of cuddly cuties featuring rescue pups from around the world and spotlighting the good work of shelters that help animals find forever homes (2 p.m., Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+).
Concerts ‘Till Kickoff Get ready for tonight’s “big game” with this daylong tailgate party, a marathon of live performances from Willie Nelson, Blackberry Smoke, ZZ Top, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Zac Brown Band (9 a.m., AXS).
MONDAY, Feb. 10 Extracted No, it’s not about a dental procedure, but rather a new competition in which a dozen “untrained” contestants try to survive grueling and perilous conditions while their families keep watch…and refrain from hitting the “extract” button to have their loved one removed from their dire circumstances (8 p.m., Fox).
This Time Next Year Adapted from a best-selling novel by Sophie Cousens, this romcom stars the author and Lucien Laviscount (from Emily in Paris) as two people born on the same day, in the same hospital, just one minute apart. What happens when they grow up? You’ll find out (Hulu).
TUESDAY, Feb. 11 Match Point Mockumentary series stars former NFL players Vernon Davis and Omar Bolden as one-time Olympic tennis gold medalists who’re now hapless sports podcasters (Apple TV+ and Prime).
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12 Eric Clapton Unplugged…Over 30 Years Later Ninety-minute special is an extended and remastered edition of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s live performance of “Layla,” “Tears in Heaven” and other hits originally recorded in 1992 for the MTV franchise (Paramount+).
THURSDAY, Feb. 13 Sly Lives! Documentary about ‘70s supergroup Sly and the Family Stone features commentary by Chaka Kahn, Clive Davis, Nile Rogers, Andre 3000 and others (Hulu).
Mad About the Boy Renee Zellweger returns in this new streamer to the role from Bridget Jones’ Diary that made her a movie romcom heroine, as Bridget is now alone once again (this time with two young children) and reenters the world of moms, kids and dating apps. Memorable movie costars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth also make appearances (Peacock).
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Think there are too many rules, too much regulation, too much bureaucracy? Author Barry Lam, a professor of philosophy at the University of California, argues in the eye-opening Fewer Rules, Better People: The Case for Discretion (W.W. Norton) that a society awash in requirements and mandates makes us dumber, not smarter. Discretion and ethics play important roles in many of our everyday decisions and actions. Find out more about what can be good about that, and what the author says is not.
What’s that shiny surface? It might be a piece of art! In MirrorMirror: The Reflective Surface in Contemporary Art (Thames & Hudson), author Michael Petry shows how reflective surfaces—glass, shiny steel, vinyl, obsidian—are used all over the world in artworks that appeal to our senses, reflect our vanities and take us to places of joy, marvel and inspiration.
The Media Tourist 