TV Picks - Week of March 28

What's the best type of programming to air on the Sunday following the Oscars? How about another industry awards show just one week later in Vegas? Everybody dance!

It's time for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards this Sunday night on CBS. This ceremony that celebrates the best in music has learned a valuable lesson over time that almost every other awards show seems to have missed. It's not about the host or the awards, it's all about the performers.

These Grammys were originally scheduled for January 31st in Los Angeles, but COVID got involved and the musical powers that be wisely moved it back a few months.

This is a great example of why I respect the team that puts on the Grammys. They are adaptable. They are flexible. They are not afraid to switch things up to keep their product relevant.

It wasn't that long ago that the Grammys were like every other awards show. Lots of famous people dressed up sitting in a crowded auditorium. Recognizable industry faces reading the nominee list and handing out gold statues (gramophones). A three-hour ceremony that seemed endless and failed to capture the spirit of music. The obligatory photo of the big winner holding multiple Grammys.

Then the producers got smart. They realized why people show up at musical events: to hear the music! The number of awards was limited, and they stuck to the main categories. The host's monologue was cut and replaced by a musical mash-up of current and classic performers. Now that's what I call a musical awards show!

With a light film slate, the Oscars made the mistake of focusing on the three funny ladies who were hosting. It should always be about the movie stars! That's why people tune in for the mindless red-carpet shows. Let's see who's there and how good (or bad) they look on Oscar night.

The Grammys made that shift. It doesn't matter who the host is (sorry, Trevor) because this Sunday night is all about the music and the artists. Other genres can learn from The Grammy Awards, starting with:

Minimal Host Impact - Trevor Noah is back, but he is there to move things along. A few jokes here and there but keep the music playing. Trevor loves music, and it shows. A good deejay makes it about the music, not the guy spinning the records (or whatever the modern equivalent of that is these days).

Limited Amount of Awards - No one really cares who wins. We just want to see the big stars perform. The Grammys controversially cut quite a few live award presentations from the broadcast years ago. No one cares now. Let the music play!

Unique Pairings - No one does a better job of matching up a classic act with a current sensation. Satisfy both fan bases and create some exclusive Grammy performances. The Grammys are the only place you'll see these combos... until they end up touring together.

Live Performances - Music is always better live. The energy is palpable. The crowd is engaged, and so are we sitting at home. These aren't Oscar musical numbers. These are hit songs with some sort of stage twist and plenty of hype to go with it.

Multiple Genres - When you ask someone what type of music they like, the standard response is "I like all kinds of music." Well, the Grammys is tailor made for them. If you're a fan of one particular genre, this exposes you to different types of music you may not be familiar with. If you don't like it, just wait until the next ad because they're smart enough to switch it up. Variety is the spice of life... and the Grammys.

Party Atmosphere -The Grammys are an A-List party. This year's show is in Las Vegas for a reason. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves. It's like a good concert - just watch the performances and marvel at the talent on display.

The Grammys create special moments that will only happen during this broadcast. Not only do the biggest names in music show up, but they're thrilled to take the stage. Celebs want to be part of the action and dancing at their seats. Song of the Year doesn't matter — music for everyone to enjoy does.

It's a perfect combination for must-see TV.

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Here's what else is worth watching this week...

SERIES PREMIERES

Moon Knight (Disney+)
Wednesday, March 30th

Steven Grant is having one heck of an identity crisis in this latest entrant to the Marvel universe. The mild-mannered gift shop employee has an identity disorder — and wait until he finds out who he's sharing a body with.

Oscar Isaac stars as this lesser-known Batman type, and Ethan Hawke is up to no good encouraging everyone to embracing the chaos. Moon Knight is a safe bet to keep Disney's solid record with its Marvel TV shows on track. 

Julia (HBO Max)
Thursday, March 31st

Julia Child was a joy to watch on television. There have been countless biopics exploring the life of the lady who brought cooking into the mainstream on public television. But this time, HBO Max is trying it as a comedy.

This sitcom is based on actual events from the legendary host's life in the 1960's. The stacked cast is led by Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) as Julia and David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) as her husband, Paul. Expect lots of dry wit and plenty of food porn. 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(International Hits)

Slow Horses (Apple TV+) – Gary Oldman heads up lowly Slough House filled with MI-5 agents at the end of their careers. Kristin Scott Thomas heads up the "real agents" and enlists help from the downtrodden pros to solve crimes. British spies and quality actors are always a must watch. Friday. 

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

The Girl From Plainville (Hulu) – A female teen was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for texting her troubled teen boyfriend to kill himself. Tuesday.

Moonshot (HBO Max) – A romantic comedy featuring a guy sneaking on to a space shuttle to Mars in pursuit of a girl. Premieres Thursday.

How We Roll (CBS) – A sitcom based on the life of a professional bowler. Yup. Thursday at 9:30pm.

The Outlaws (Amazon) – Stephen Merchant, Christopher Walken and other minor lawbreakers perform community service and find trouble along the way in this comedy. Premieres Friday.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Abbott Elementary (ABC) – A current sitcom finally makes this list. Quinta Brunson's charming comedy feels like Parks & Recreation in an elementary school. On my daughter Emily's recommendation, I just binged the first nine episodes and can't wait for more. 

Previous Picks:
Damages (Hulu)
Luther (HBO Max)
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

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If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!

TV Picks - Week of March 21

When it came to major television events, it used to be that you could count on the Super Bowl and The Academy Awards to deliver big audiences. This year's Super Bowl drew more than 100 million viewers. This Sunday night on ABC at 8pm, the Oscars audience will be significantly smaller. When did people stop caring?

Award shows have always been about the glitz and glamour. Our favorite stars in entertainment congratulate themselves on a job well done. The proliferation of social media and celebrity accessibility has diminished the exclusive nature of these events. This used to be the only place to see movie stars other than on the big screen, and that simply isn't the case anymore.

These types of shows have taken quite a hit since COVID crashed the party, but this golden statue celebration has been slumping since Titanic. There are still lots of great films being made, but the magic and mystique seems to have slipped away.

The funny trio of Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall will take their turn at the hosting gig no one seems to want. Jimmy Kimmel seemed to have a stranglehold on Billy Crystal's old job, but the Academy decided a host wasn't necessary for a few years. Hosting the Oscars is like being an umpire — you only get noticed when you mess up. But the hosts are back, and I hope they have thick skins for the critique that's coming.

Look, I still care about the Oscars. I'll be tuned in to the over-produced pre-show and the way too long speeches. There's fashion to be critiqued and pools to be won! So here are my predictions for this Sunday night's extravaganza.

Best Musical Number – Amy Schumer
There’s no way Amy will be able to resist parodying the opening musical extravaganzas that welcome us to Oscar night.

Best Actor - Will Smith (King Richard)
Denzel Washington and Javier Bardem have already had their big nights. Andrew Garfield will win down the road. Benedict Cumberbatch could win, but this feels like The Fresh Prince's year with his heartfelt performance as Venus and Serena's dad.

Best Joke – Wanda Sykes
The underrated comedian will be the highlight of the night. She has never been afraid to go after people, and The Academy is fertile ground for Wanda to stomp all over.

Best Actress - Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
Toughest call of the night. Nicole Kidman didn't do if for me as Lucy. Penelope Cruz's performance is too obscure. Olivia Colman is excellent as always but more subtle. Kristen Stewart looks the part, but Jessica's eye makeup puts her over the top.

Best Reaction – Kristen Stewart
These actors are pros who smile as nominations are being read and hoping to hear their name when the envelope is open. Kristen Stewart always wears her emotions on her sleeve. Win or lose, her reaction is going to be priceless.

Best Supporting Actor - Troy Kotsur (CODA)
Excellent performances from Ciaran Hands, Jesse Plemons, J.K. Simmons and Kodi Smit-McPhee, but this deaf actor's portrayal of a dad loving his daughter is an Oscar lock.

Best Speech – Troy Kotsur
Kotsur is incredibly talented and super charming. Really looking forward to his acceptance speech which has the potential to be as moving as the film.

Best Supporting Actress - Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
Had a tough time with this one too. All fine performances from Jessie Buckley, Judi Dench, Kirsten Dunst and Aunjanue Ellis, but I'm going with the consensus pick here. Ariana hosted SNL which gives her a slight pop culture edge in this fickle category.

Best Comedy Bit – None
They hardly ever work, and frankly, it’s not why we’re tuning in. Free tip to the Oscar producers – just celebrate the films and let the winners thank everyone. No one wants to see a heartfelt speech get cut short for a Dune parody.

Best Director - Jane Campion (The Power Of The Dog)
Steven Spielberg's West Side Story is incredible to look at, but everyone is dancing instead of fighting to that old-time score. P.T.A. captures L.A. like no one else can in the inconsistent Licorice Pizza. Ryusuke Hamaguchi is still directing the never-ending opus of Drive My Car. Kenneth Branagh does a masterful job recreating Belfast. The winner will be Jane Campion who paints one powerful picture in The Power Of The Dog.

Best Snafu – Not sure, but looking forward to it
Something will go wrong. Nothing will ever rival the Warren Beatty Best Picture mistake a few years back. I don’t mind the errors because it brings a touch of reality to this fantasy world.

Best Picture - CODA
Here's my public plea to narrow this back down to five nominees. All of these films are entertaining, but this is Best Picture. It should be only the cream of the crop.

My finalists are Belfast, CODA and The Power Of The Dog. I loved Jane Campion's directing, and even though the film feels like an Oscar winner, it drags in a few places. That leaves two different feel-good movies during these dreary times. Belfast has an Oscar feel and is a satisfying watch and homage from Kenneth Branagh. But I just have a feeling about CODA and the powerfully sweet story it tells. I first thought it might be too hokey to win, but then I remembered that it has Apple behind it. It's got a shot. The Power Of The Dog has all the momentum, but CODA has the potential to surprise.

Best of the Best –Timing
If the show doesn’t go over three hours, everyone’s a winner.

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Here's what else is worth watching this week...

RETURNING FAVORITES

Starstruck (HBO Max)
Thursday, March 24th

It’s the second season of the charming tale of a struggling London millennial who falls for a famous UK film star. The story begins with Jessie (award-winning Rose Mateo) having a New Year’s Eve hookup with Tom, not realizing that he’s a famous film star.

This comedy does a great job of bringing two completely different worlds together in a very smart way. There’s a little bit of Notting Hill in this sweet story that deals with race, social class and the need to find the “right one.” 

Atlanta (FX)
Thursday, March 24th 10pm

It has been four years since we last saw Earn, Alfred, Darius and Van down in Georgia. Emmy-winning Donald Glover wanted to take a break from the show and has kept quite busy, but the third and final fourth season (airing this fall) are officially in the can.

Season three takes place with Paper Boi on a European tour and deals with the struggles of success across the pond. This crew traveling through European cities will lead to plenty of awkward situations and memorable comedy shot in a truly distinctive style. Maybe they should change the title to Europe. 

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(International Hits)

Pachinko (Apple TV+) – A Korean family emigrates to Japan in this trilingual tale. Friday. Watch trailer.

 

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

American Song Contest (NBC) – Eurovision comes to America with one of the most boring show titles in history. Monday at 8.

Halo (Paramount+) – One of the most successful video game franchises in history takes a shot at the small screen. Premieres Thursday.

WWE Evil (Peacock) – John Cena profiles wrestling's greatest villains in this eight-parter. Premieres Thursday.

Bridgerton (Netflix) – Many loved the first season. I did not, but I'm keeping you informed. Season 2 premieres on Friday.

 

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Damages (Hulu) – Don't mess with Glenn Close. She plays high-powered attorney Patty Hewes and her protege Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) is along for one heck of a ride. The cast is an endless list of likable actors playing nasty villains, and the story will keep you hooked the whole way through.

Previous Picks:
Luther (HBO Max)
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

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If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!

TV Picks - Week of March 14

You don't need to be a basketball fan to appreciate March Madness. Heck, you don't even have to be a fan of college. The 68 team Men's NCAA College Basketball Tournament begins this week, and it is the ultimate equalizer.

Everything that goes into great TV happens in this tourney year after year. Cinderella stories. David versus Goliath matchups. Traditional villains. Swan songs. Heated battles. Last second drama. It's all here — and available to watch on four different networks.

March Madness, a fantastic TV term, begins Tuesday and Wednesday nights with the "First Four" games on truTV. Expect a lot of alliteration as the tournament progresses. This mini tournament in Dayton expanded the field from 64 college basketball teams to 68 because, well, there's always room for more. These long shots will need to prove their worthiness due to questionable regular season performances.

The field of 64 begins in earnest Thursday at noon with 32 quality games being played over the next two days throughout the country. When the weekend comes to an end, only 16 schools will be left standing. The Sweet Sixteen later gets narrowed down to the Elite Eight, and the Final Four. I warned you about the alliteration.

I realize everyone might not be a college hoops fan, but if you love television, here's why you should watch:

Last Second Victories - The NCAA Tournament made its mark with countless games ending in the final seconds with miraculous shots. It's the equivalent of a shocking plot twist at the end of a good drama. Do a quick YouTube search for "March Madness Buzzer Beaters" and be amazed.

Underdogs - Each team is seeded from 1 (the best) to 16 (the worst). Every year, a high seed surprises a low seed in the first round. Free gambling tip — load up on the 12 and 13 seeds. And who doesn't root for the underdog?

Last Hurrah - Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzeweski is coaching his final tournament. He’s a perennial winner, and many will be rooting for Coach K. I will not — he broke my alma mater's heart one too many times.

Mid Majors - I wouldn't know that Gonzaga was a college without this tournament, and that school is the top seed. Institutions like Wright State, South Dakota State, Bryant and Longwood get a shot against perennial college powers (which the Zags have transformed themselves into). The talent gap has closed between the schools you know and the ones that you don't.

Kids - It's easy to forget that these are college kids playing out there and giving it their all. Only 1% will become professional basketball players, so they're in it for the love of the game. That love is infectious. And if you're a senior, it's your final time on the court.

Live - The best thing about any sporting event is that it's happening live, the key ingredient to most exciting television. There's nowhere to hide on the court, and these college kids (and coaches) need to make the right decisions at the right times.

Gambling - These four days are a gambler's paradise. Plenty of time to make the right and wrong decisions. From the bracket to a parlay on the Western region, there's something in it for everyone. The brackets are all over your office (virtual or otherwise). Why not watch the games that go along with it?

Must-see TV comes in many different forms. Enjoy this madness from Thursday to Sunday.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Luther (HBO Max, Starz) — A brilliant British detective struggles with his violent streak on the job in this psychological thriller. Idris Elba stars as intense DCI John Luther, but Ruth Wilson steals the show as Alice Morgan.

Previous Picks:
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(International Hits)

Standing Up (Netflix) — The creator of Call My Agent chronicles the lives of a few stand-up comedians making their way in France. Friday.

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

Phoenix Rising (HBO) – Director Erin Lee Carr chronicles Evan Rachel Wood's crusade against domestic violence in a two-part doc. Tuesday and Wednesday at 9.

Minx (HBO Max) – A feminist and low-rent publisher team to create the first ever erotic magazine for women. Premieres Thursday.

Welcome To Flatch (Fox) – Young adults in a small town - single camera documentary style. Premieres Thursday at 9:30. (Entire first season drops on Hulu Friday)

DMZ (HBO Max) – The Big Apple has been destroyed and cut off from the rest of the world. Premieres Thursday.

Human Resources (Netflix) – The Big Mouth spinoff arrives with tons of recognizable voices. Friday.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS

Life & Beth (Hulu)
Friday, March 18th

Amy Schumer returns to her Long Island roots as creator and director of this new comedy series in which she stars as a dissatisfied Manhattan wine distributor who goes home to Long Island to figure things out and find her real self.

Amy surrounds herself with a quality cast that includes Laura Benanti, Michael Rapaport and Michael Cera. The show takes a little while to get going, but Hulu is wisely posting all 10 episodes at once. Prepare to ride the range of broad comedy and trauma as this native New Yorker wonders aloud why the good life may not be so good after all.

WeCrashed (Apple TV+)
Friday, March 18th

Ready for another dramatization of a failed business venture with a well-meaning but misguided CEO? This weekend's target: the shared office space sensation WeWork.

Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway head up the A-list cast of the 8-part series adapted from the excellent podcast of the same name. WeWork creator Adam Neumann rode the peaks and valleys of his simple yet brilliant idea. It worked… until it didn't.

If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!

TV Picks - Week of March 7

Three years ago, a co-worker tipped me off to Pam. My friend is an avid podcast listener who insisted this was well worth the listen. So, I met Pam while boarding a subway at Rockefeller Plaza. Little did I know that the folks in the building above were putting together a TV series starring an Oscar winning actress based upon this tale.

The Thing About Pam is a new six-part true crime drama premiering this Tuesday at 10pm on NBC. If this adaptation is anything like the podcast, it promises to be must-see TV.

Forget books and newspaper articles – many dramas popping up on streamers and networks originate from podcasts. Dr. Death and Dirty John are just a couple of products from the podcast pipeline. The plot of Only Murders In The Building revolves around a podcast. Everyone seems to have a podcast these days, and the best stories are making their way into the mainstream.

The plight of Pam Hupp was first covered by Dateline NBC back in 2014, and the series has come back the case to nearly a half dozen times through its many twists and turns, ultimately spawning the podcast upon which the new drama is based.

It's surprising that this six-part Peacock production is airing on NBC. I understand that it's a Dateline story and it shows the confidence of NBC to bypass an original run on Peacock for valuable network airspace. The ad dollars must be there.

Renee Zellweger doesn't just take any role. The Oscar winning actress has always made interesting choices and goes deep into any character she portrays. I can't wait to see how she tackles the part and watch the crazy saga play out. You cannot escape this story. That's the thing about Pam.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Downton Abbey (Netflix, Amazon, Peacock, PBS and The Roku Channel) — This PBS classic is far from obscure, and yet a contingent of viewers who avoid period dramas continue to resist its charms. The Crawley family and their "help" make their way through the early 20th century. A charming witty look at what happens upstairs and downstairs in a somewhat royal setting.

Previous Picks
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(International Hits)

The Chelsea Detective (Acorn) — A British duo solves crimes in an affluent London neighborhood. Monday.

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

The Andy Warhol Diaries (Netflix) – Ryan Murphy's six-part exploration of the artist's posthumously published diaries. Wednesday.

Domino Masters (Fox) – I'm a sucker for watching those tiles fall in cool patterns. Eric Stonestreet hosts. Wednesday at 9.

Bust Down (Peacock) – Four casino workers at an Indiana casino try to improve their lives taking an absurd path to get there. Thursday.

The Last Days Of Ptolemy Grey (Apple TV+) – Samuel L. Jackson stars as an elderly dementia patient named Ptolemy - do you need anything more? Friday.

Critics Choice Awards (CW/TBS) – I'm a Critics Choice voter, so this is a selfish pick. Sunday at 7.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS

Survivor (CBS)
Wednesday, March 9th 8pm

Season 42 - that's a lot of surviving. I've written countless times about the only "reality" show worth watching simply because the game is at the core of its success. Every week, my daughter Rachel and I tune in together to see what's going on in Fiji and marvel at the group dynamic.

It doesn't matter who the contestants are. You won't remember their names once the season is over. But Jeff Probst does a masterful job leading a new crop to outwit, outplay and outlast each other in the quest of becoming the sole survivor.

Upload (Amazon Prime Video)
Friday, March 11th

Greg Daniels has always made a different kind of TV show. The SNL scribe shifted to The Simpsons and King of the Hill, then left animation for The Office. He created Parks & Recreation which had a more humane feel to its comedy. Then he left the planet with Space Force.

His Amazon creation Upload enters its second season as a different kind of look at what happens after we die. In 2033, the choice of a virtual afterlife is yours, and the comedy centers around digital heaven and how it relates to the "real world." I'd call this science fiction but take a look at what Meta is up to. At least we can laugh at this.

If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!