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Love Life
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Hi! Tonight AT&T's WarnerMedia enters the streaming wars with the well-dressed and well-mannered HBO Max, which is HBO plus... a bunch of other stuff from Warner properties and partners. (I don't really get the name choice and long-term branding strategy.) Anyway, the single adult live-action original series in its ocean of library content is the anthology Love Life where Anna Kendrick spends a season searching for true love. Reviews have been mixed, but I like Anna. Are all 10 episodes dropping today? I don't know. If Ms Kendrick isn't your thing, there are also new Looney Tunes, kids making crafts, ballroom competitions, British comedies, and Elmo. Or, ya know, HBO stuff. Or WB stuff. Friends. Big Bang. And literally hundreds of movies -- finally, Citizen Kane, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach, and Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again are in one place! (Sadly, the Warner Archive isn't really mined.) I'm going all-in on HBO Max in this WOT because its future premieres are going to be on Thursdays.
Elsewhere, Netflix thinks we need a Jeffrey Epstein docuseries, the ERA is defeated, General Ulysses S. Grant is elected president, Nandor's familiar from the 1970s returns, Phil Coulson and company are back for a final season, Amy Sedaris hosts a Valentine's Day mixer, and Don Cornelius tries to manage his hit show Soul Train. Suffering succotash, here's what's on television for tonight, Wednesday, May 27!
STREAMING & EARLY PRIMETIME
Craftopia (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SEASON ONE. A kids crafting competition program hosted by YouTube influencer Lauren Riihimaki. To some, that sentence probably doesn't sound like English.
I'm No Longer Here 🎥 (Netflix, 3 a.m.): In this Mexican import, a young street gang spends their days dancing to slowed-down cumbia and attending parties. After a mix-up with a local cartel, their leader is forced to migrate to the U.S. but quickly longs to return home.
Ghosts (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES ONE. This BBC import was a hit across the pond this spring. It follows a group of spirits from various eras who restlessly squabble in an abandoned country home.✔️
Happily Ever Avatar (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SEASON ONE. No, it's not a tie-in to the movie franchise (that is still just one movie). "Three young couples find love in a video game using avatars."
Home (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES ONE & TWO. Series one of this Channel 4 import follows Peter, his new partner Katy, and her son John as they return home from their holiday in France. Hiding in the boot of their car is Sami, a Syrian refugee.
Independent (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SEASON ONE. A reality show that follows four of hip hop's most exciting independent artists, Futuristic, Reverie, Sean Brown, and Trinidad James, as they work to take over the music scene without the ties of a major record label.
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (Netflix, 3 a.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. Hear from the survivors and how Epstein got away with his crimes for so long, if you're into that sorta thing.
Jeopardy! 💲 (Syndicated, check your local listings): The 2020 Teachers' Tournament, Day 3.
Legendary (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. No, it has nothing to do with Barney Stinson. Pulling from the underground ballroom community, voguing teams (houses), compete in dance challenges and showcase fashions for chance to win $$$$.✔️
Lipstick Empire (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SEASON ONE. Lora Arellano and Dana Bomar, co-founders and CEOs of Melt Cosmetics, balance friendship, life and the competitive beauty industry in this unscripted series. Sooo, it's not a follow-up to Lipstick Jungle.
Looney Tunes Cartoons (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. The beloved Warner Bros. characters are back with all new shorts. You will see Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester Cat, Tweety Bird, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Taz, Foghorn Leghorn, Beaky Buzzard, Pepé Le Pew, Marvin the Martian, Granny, Hubie & Bertie, and Ralph Wolf & Sam Sheepdog, among many more. This is a series of shorts rather than an ongoing series like The Looney Tunes Show, which I found quite good.✔️
⭐ Love Life (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. Anna Kendick was around to help launch Quibi this spring with Dummy, and now she helps launch HBO Max with Love Life, a season anthology following a person from their first romance to their last. Anna is Darby, a girl in the big city looking for love. The trailer makes it seem like she goes through plenty of options. The supporting cast includes Zoë Chao, Sasha Compère, Peter Vack, and Lesley Manville✔️
Love Simon 🎥 (FX, 7 p.m.): In this delightful and wonderful dramedy, Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity. And it is directed by Greg Berlanti, the man behind Arrowverse and a lot of The CW's slate.
Mrs. America (Hulu, 3 a.m.): FINALE. In the final episode of this show that is doing some careful tightrope walking, Gloria Steinem, Brenda Feigen, and Jill Ruckelshaus put pressure on the White House to act on their proposals from the National Women's Conference. Meanwhile, Phyllis Schlafly prepares to leverage her political victories as the 1980 presidential election draws near.
The Not Too Late Show with Elmo (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. Elmo gets his own talk show, which I guess takes place within Sesame Street-verse. The series' goals are centered around bedtime routines, and joining Elmo are celebrity guests alongside the show staff, including Cookie Monster as the sidekick, Abby Cadabby as a writer, and Rosita as the stage manager. Let's hope this works better than that time TV Land gave Alf a talk show.✔️
On the Record 🎥 (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): Filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering examine the sexual assault allegations against hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
Stath Lets Flats (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): SERIES ONE & TWO. A British comedy following incompetent Greek-Cypriot lettings agent Stath (Jamie Demetriou) who works for the family business Michael and Eagle.
Trigonometry (HBO Max, 3 a.m.): COMPLETE SERIES. This BBC Two limited series follows a London couple struggling with an expensive apartment agree to take on a roommate. Then the relationship gets complicated.
Quantum Leap 📺 (Comet, 6 p.m.): As the co-pilot of a small plane entering the Bermuda Triangle, Sam encounters phenomena that endanger the craft.
TOPIC & GUEST DIGEST:
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In 📺 (Decades, 7 p.m): Art Carney, Chet Dowling, Jilly Rizzo, and Carol Ann Richards (14 Sep 1970)
FOR THE RECORD: The At-Home Variety Show (Peacock, 7 p.m.); Blackballed (Quibi, 3 a.m.); Kirby Jenner (Quibi, 3 a.m.); Mystic Pop-up Bar (Netflix, 3 a.m.)
🕗 EASTERN / 🕖 CENTRAL
The 100 (The CW, 8 p.m.): "Echo and Gabriel learn more about Hope and her mysterious past."
Game On! 💲 (CBS, 8 p.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. Comic Gabriel Iglesias and basketball player J.R. Smith compete in a variety of challenges, including kicking a field goal, a battle of strength, and a soccer drill with musicians Mark McGrath, Coolio, and Macy Gray. That certainly sounds like... something.
In the Cut (Bounce, 8 p.m.): Jay teaches Kenny how to play dominoes in preparation for a domino tournament. Meanwhile, Smitty's gambling debt has him in trouble with an unlikely loan shark.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Thor: The Dark World 🎥 (ABC, 8 p.m.): When the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster. I love Thor (and Thor) but this follow-up is not good.
FOR THE RECORD: AEW: Dynamite (TNT); Cennet (Telemundo); The Challenge (MTV); Making Good (BYUtv, 8:30 p.m.); Married at First Sight (Lifetime); My 600-Lb Life (TLC); See No Evil (Investigation Discovery); Te doy la vida (Univision); WWE NXT (USA)
🕘 EASTERN / 🕗 CENTRAL
Disappeared in the Darkness (An American Murder Mystery) (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.): SPECIAL. When police near Myrtle Beach discover an abandoned car at a boat landing, they surmise its owner, 20-year-old Heather Elvis, has vanished. They discover she's been in a love triangle with a married man.
Grant (History, 9 p.m.): SERIES FINALE. Ulysses S. Grant defeats Robert E. Lee and wins the Civil War, only to find that he will be called to serve as president during one of the most difficult times in America history.
The Oval (BET, 9 p.m.): "Nancy is angered by her son's actions, and the confrontation will change things forever." I picture this being about the Reagans.
FOR THE RECORD: 100 días para enamorarnos (Telemundo); Amor eterno (Univision); Building Giants (Science); Ghost Hunters (A&E, finale); Ghost Nation (Travel Channel); Guy's Grocery Games (Food Network); Man Fire Food (Cooking Channel); Married at First Sight: Australia (Lifetime); Property Brothers: Forever Home (HGTV); The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo); Ultimate Tag (Fox); The Wizard of Paws (BYUtv)
🕙 EASTERN / 🕘 CENTRAL
Agents of SHIELD (ABC, 10 p.m.): SEASON PREMIERE. Coulson and the agents are thrust backward in time and stranded in 1931 New York City — just when the Daleks invaded! With the all-new Zephyr set to time-jump at any moment, the team must hurry to find out exactly what happened.
American Soul (BET, 10 p.m.): SEASON PREMIERE. This show about Don Cornelius, the man behind Soul Train, returns for season two. While Soul Train grows in popularity, Don deals with the stress of success. Gerald is extorted by a former accomplice who now works for the mob. I would call it a cousin once-removed of IFC's Sherman's Showcase.
At Home with Amy Sedaris (truTV, 10 p.m.): Valentine's Day mixer! After resigning herself to a special relationship with the middle-aged lady in the mirror, Amy thinks she has finally found true love.
Expedition with Steve Backshall (PBS, 10 p.m.): SEASON FINALE. Steve and a team of rock climbers head to southern Oman to attempt the first ascent of a towering escarpment, hoping to discover the rare Arabian kitty (leopard).
Mysteries of the Deep (Discovery Channel, 10 p.m.): SERIES PREMIERE. Jeremy Wade hosts this series about mysteries in... the deep. First up, the Bermuda Triangle because it couldn't be any more original. Will they find Sam Beckett?
What We Do in the Shadows (FX, 10 p.m.): Nandor's old familiar from the 1970s returns to Staten Island. Meanwhile, Guillermo leaves to serve a new master, and Nadja and Lazslo revive their musical act.
TOPIC & GUEST DIGEST:
Crank Yankers (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): Adam Carolla, Iliza Shlesinger, and Demetri Martin
Jay Leno's Garage (CNBC): Elon Musk and Rob Riggle
FOR THE RECORD: Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations (Cooking Channel); Como tú no hay 2 (Univision); Destination Fear (Travel Channel); Drug Lords: The Next Generation (National Geographic, finale); House Hunters/House Hunters International (HGTV); Mega Machines: Sea Giants (Science); Seat at the Table with Anand Giridharadas (Viceland); La reina del sur 2 (Telemundo)
🕚 EASTERN / 🕙 CENTRAL
Coach 📺 (Antenna TV, 11:30 p.m): The Las Vegas crossover episode from 1997! It is also one of the worst crossovers ever. There are plenty odd ones (St. Elsewhere/Cheers, Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation/Power Rangers in Space, Sleepy Hollow/Bones) and pointless ones (New Girl/Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Blossom/The Fresh Prince of Bel Air), but this ABC crossover was really bad as characters from Grace Under Fire, Coach, The Drew Carey Show, and Ellen went to Las Vegas and interacted with one another for varying lengths of time and with relatively few laughs and zero meaningful purpose. Coach was the second of the night.
The Golden Girls 📺 (Hallmark Channel, 11:30 p.m): In this two-parter, police suspect that Sophia may be responsible for the fire that destroyed the Shady Pines Retirement Home.
SUBJECT & GUEST DIGEST:
The Carol Burnett Show 📺 (MeTV): Pat Carroll and Jack Jones (23 Feb 1970)
FOR THE RECORD: Cash Cab 💲 (Bravo, 11:30 p.m.); Vice News Tonight (Viceland)
LATE-NIGHT TALK & SATIRE
The Dick Cavett Show 📺 (Decades, 9 p.m.): Peter O'Toole (13 Sep 1972)
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, 11:35 p.m.): Howie Mandel
Johnny Carson 📺 (Antenna TV, 10 p.m.): Sylvester Stallone and Steve Martin (21 May 1982)
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Note: All times are Eastern.
⭐: Top pick(s)
💲: Game show
📺: Throwback
🎥: Movie
✔️: Video/gif/photo included
Happy watching, everyone!
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