What's On Tonight (Friday): Monarch Returns with Nary a Venture Bro in Sight...

  

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Today's Top Pick is the second season premiere of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.  Some of you may be wondering why King Kong doesn't have the robot arm he got in the last movie.  It's because this movie takes place in 2017.  Well, at least the main storyline takes place then, while the rest takes place in the 50's.  You have to jump through a number of convoluted story hoops to write something this stupid, and I'm here for it.

⭐👹 Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple, 12:01 AM) SEASON TWO PREMIERE. 'Season two picks up with the fate of Monarch - and the world - hanging in the balance. Buried secrets reunite our heroes (and villains) on Kong’s Skull Island, and a new, mysterious village where a mythical Titan rises from the sea. The ripple effects of the past make waves in the present day, blurring the bonds between family, friend and foe — all with the threat of a titan event on the horizon.'

Elsewhere...  

 PREMIERES

Agents of Mystery

🎥 In the Blink of an Eye (Hulu, 12:01 AM) 'Three storylines, spanning thousands of years, intersect and reflect on hope, connection and the circle of life.'

⚽ Final Siren: Inside the AFL (Amazon, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Inside the highs, the heartbreak, and the hunt for glory.'

🎥 Paul McCartney: Man on the Run (Amazon, 3:01 AM) 'Man on the Run captures Paul's transformative decade in the wake of The Beatles' break-up. Through stunning archival footage, Linda McCartney's exceptional photographs, and interviews with Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon, Mary and Stella McCartney, all the living Wings members, and of course Paul himself, the film examines this time through a uniquely vulnerable lens.'

🎥 Crazy Old Lady (AMC+/Shudder, 3:01 AM) 'On a stormy evening, Pedro receives a desperate call from his ex-girlfriend asking him to look after her senile mother, Alicia. What begins as a simple favor soon turns into a terrifying ordeal when Alicia refuses to let him leave.'

💀 Ancient Autopsy: Mysteries of the Dead (Disney+, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Professor Suzannah Lipscomb dives deep into some of the greatest death mysteries of the ancient world. Known for unearthing secrets of the past, Suzannah now turns forensic detective.'

🎥 Accused (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'A renowned gynecologist's life unravels as serious allegations threaten her career and marriage, while her wife seeks to uncover the truth.'

🎥 Sinister Secret Ingredient (LMN, 8:00 PM) 'Mel is a divorced mother who discovers her new neighbor, Ruth, has abducted children and imprisoned them in her basement. When Mel's 12-year-old daughter, Abby, goes missing, she must infiltrate Ruth's home and save her before it's too late.'

🔔 Danger Decoded (NGC, 9:00 PM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Journey into some of the most deadly, notorious and extreme corners of the world, revealing how danger manifests in ways both spectacular and insidious.'

😂 Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace (HBO, 10:00 PM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Chris Fleming bursts onto the screen with a fun and lighthearted blend of skillful storytelling and wild physicality; Fleming bounds across the stage as he shares his unique takes on masculinity, conga lines, and more.'

RETURNING SHOWS

🔔 Agents of Mystery (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON TWO.

🏎️ Formula 1: Drive to Survive (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON EIGHT.

👮 Sheriff County (CBS, 8:00 PM) SEASON ONE WINTER PREMIERE.

🧑‍🚒 Fire Country (CBS, 9:00 PM) SEASON FOUR WINTER PREMIERE.

👮 Boston Blue (CBS, 10:00 PM) SEASON ONE WINTER PREMIERE.

In the Blink of an Eye

STREAMING

🔔 The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple, 12:01 AM) 

🔔 Tehran (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Day Zero" SEASON FINALE. 

⚖️ Judy Justice (Amazon, 3:01 AM) "Ashes to Anguish" 

🔔 The White House (Fox Nation, 3:01 AM) SEASON FINALE. 

🔔 Banksters (HBO Max, 3:01 AM)

🔔 Fit for a Killer (HBO Max, 3:01 AM)

🍄‍🟫 Portobello (HBO Max, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 Surviving the Jehovah's Witnesses (HBO Max, 3:01 AM)

🦊 No Tail to Tell (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 Dreaming Whilst Black (Paramount, 3:01 AM) 

💖 Love Island All Stars (Peacock, 9:01 PM) 

LIVE SPORTSBALL TODAY/TONIGHT

🏌️ PGA Tour Golf: 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches - Round 2 (Golf, 2:00 PM)

⚽ English Premier League Soccer: Aston Villa at Wolverhampton Wanderers (USA, 3:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Western Michigan Broncos (CBSSPT, 6:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Yale Bulldogs at Cornell Big Red (ESPNU, 6:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Dayton Flyers at George Washington Revolutionaries (ESPN2, 9:00 PM)     

🏀 NBA Basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (ESPN, 7:12 PM)

🏀 Unrivaled Basketball: Breeze vs Laces (TNT/TruTV, 7:30 PM)

🏐 Major League Volleyball: Orlando Valkyries at Dallas Pulse (CBSSPT, 8:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Akron Zips at Kent State Golden Flashes (ESPNU, 8:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Fighting Illini (Fox, 8:00 PM)

🏌️ LPGA Tour Golf: 2026 HSBC Women's World Championship - Round 3 (Golf, 8:30 PM)

🏀 Unrivaled Basketball: Hive vs Lunar Owls (TNT/TruTV, 8:45 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Georgia Southern Eagles at Marshall Thundering Herd (ESPN2, 9:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN, 9:35 PM)

Accused

🕖EARLY PRIMETIME🕖

🏠 The Loud House (Nickelodeon, 5:30 PM) 'When Lori becomes the star of The Dream Boat to find her soulmate, a desperate Bobby goes undercover as a contestant to win her back from a "perfect" rival suitor.'

🔔 Wylde Pak (Nickelodeon, 6:00 PM) 'When Lily and Jack must sacrifice their own summer plans, it kicks off a new, chaotic normal, starting with a runaway trailer that each insists on saving their own way.'

🕖8:00 EASTERN / 🕖 7:00 CENTRAL

👮 Sheriff County (CBS, 8:00 PM) 'With Travis' life on the line and the sheriff's office under attack, Mickey must do whatever it takes to protect her people.'

🍺 Happy's Place (NBC, 8:00 PM) 'When Bobbie alerts Isabella to an easy way for the tavern to make some extra cash, she's shocked when Isabella tells her no; Gabby becomes obsessed with a bar game that Takoda brought in.'

🔔 RuPaul's Drag Race (MTV, 8:00 PM) 'This season's Rusical is inspired by a mashup of the classical Broadway musical Annie, and New York City ballroom culture; record producer Benny Blanco guest judges.'

🤸 Stumble (NBC, 8:30 PM) 'Now that they've qualified for Daytona, Courteney must raise the money to get there and recruit new cheerleaders to give them a shot at winning; in order to do so, she must make a deal with the Buttonmeister himself, Augustus Schlimpf.'

💰 Gold Rush (Discovery, 8:00 PM) 

🎥 Sinister Secret Ingredient (LMN, 8:00 PM) 
🔔 Belle Collective (OWN, 8:00 PM) 

👮 On Patrol: First Shift (Reelz, 8:00 PM) 

🤼‍♂️ WWE's Friday Night Smackdown (USA, 8:00 PM) 
|

🕗 9:00 EASTERN / 🕖 8:00 CENTRAL

🧑‍🚒 Fire Country (CBS, 9:00 PM) 'As a massive wildfire pushes the station to their limits, tough calls on the front lines spark even tougher questions back at headquarters.'

🎭 Great Performances (PBS, 9:00 PM) 'Jazz vocalist Samara Joy makes her debut at London's Royal Albert Hall, offering unique twists on classic songs ranging from bossa nova to the Great American Songbook.'

🔔 Neighbors (HBO, 9:00 PM) 'In Florida, former friends Melissa and Victoria dispute the rightful ownership of a small patch of grass between their West Palm Beach homes; in Palm Bay, Johnny and Andy's own grass-related feud leads to accusations of stalking.'

👽 The Unexplained (History, 9:00 PM) SEASON FINALE. 'Throughout civilization there are many kingdoms and mighty empires that have risen, only to one day fall.'

🔔 Danger Decoded (NGC, 9:00 PM) 'Explore the extreme airport runways where landings push pilots to their limits.'

🔔 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked (MTV, 9:30 PM) 'The queens celebrate the breakthrough performances in the Rusical. Horoscope predictions are discussed over chocolate fondue. As the queens grow closer, eliminations have become more and more heartbreaking.'

🔔 20/20 (ABC, 9:00 PM) 
💰 Gold Rush: Mine Rescue with Freddy & Juan (Discovery Channel, 9:00 PM) 
🍽️ Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Food, 9:00 PM) 
🏠 My Lottery Dream Home (HGTV, 9:00 PM) 
👮 On Patrol: Live (Reelz, 9:00 PM) 
💖 Love During Lockup (WE, 9:00 PM) 
💀 Dateline NBC (NBC, 9:01 PM) 

Crazy Old Lady

🕗 10:00 EASTERN / 🕖 9:00 CENTRAL

👮 Boston Blue (CBS, 10:00 PM) 'Following the release of Ben's killer from prison, Jonah continues to struggle with anger and grief confronting the killer and putting family bonds to the test; Mae and Sarah face painful truths that could change everything.'

🔔 Danger Decoded (NGC, 10:00 PM) 'Perilous roads worldwide reveal how travel can turn deadly in an instant.'

👹 Monsterquest (History, 10:03 PM) SEASON FINALE. 'These are the terrifying accounts of people who claim they were stalked, attacked, or even taken by threats from beyond our world — because not all monsters come from the woods… sometimes they come from above.'

😂 Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace (HBO, 10:00 PM) 

LATE NIGHT

🔔 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:34 PM) 'Actor Ethan Hawke; music group KATSEYE; professional football player Myles Garrett; Nick Jonas performs.'

🔔 Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC, 12:37 PM) 'Actress Emilia Clarke; actor Connor Storrie.'

🔔 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, 11:35 PM) 
🔔 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS, 11:35 PM)
🔔 Nightline (ABC, 12:37 AM)

📺Broadcast/Cable/Satellite - RETRO BINGE📺

Law & Order (Pop, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM); The Andy Griffiths Show (Sundance, 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM); South Park (Comedy Central, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM); Living Single (TV One, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); M*A*S*H* (TVLand, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM);  Friends (TBS, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM); Gunsmoke (TVLand, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM); Seinfeld (Comedy Central, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The Andy Griffiths Show (TVLand, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Family Ties (Antenna, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM); The Office (Comedy Central, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM);  Three's Company (Antenna, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Barney Miller (Antenna, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM); Everybody Loves Raymond (TVLand, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM); One Day at a Time (Antennae, 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM); The Jeffersons (Antenna, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM); Sanford & Son (Antenna, 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM); The Golden Girls (Hallmark, 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM); The King of Queens (TVLand, 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM); Becker (Antenna, 12:00 - 1:00 AM); Wings (Antenna, 1:00 AM - 2:00 AM)

📺 Johnny Carson (Antenna, 11:00 PM) 'Actor Burt Reynolds; comedian Richard Lewis.'

Paul McCartney: Man on the Run

Key Sources: The Futon Critic; Rotten Tomatoes; YouTube; TV Guide; TV Passport

⭐: Top Pick
💲: Game show
🎥: Movie
📺: Throwback
✔️: Video/gif/photo included