Originally posted Sunday, September 16, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
It’s the calm before the official start of the broadcast season as summer programming largely ends (”America’s Got Talent,” “Masterchef,” “Beat Shazam,” “Elementary”) and the Emmy’s on NBC Monday give networks and their streaming brethren a chance to celebrate the glut of great programming out there.
Plus, the season finale of “Celebrity Family Feud” featuring the Kardashians and Kanye West airs Sunday - so you’ve been warned.
And on a more serious note, CNN's final season of "Parts Unknown" hosted by the late great Anthony Bourdain begins Sunday, which includes only one truly finished episode, "best ofs" and the heavy weight of sadness.
Over at Fox, there's a Charles Manson special Monday and the second season of its hit show "9-1-1" Sunday.
In the streaming world, Netflix provides movie stars Emma Stone, Sally Field and Jonah Hill a sophisticated, high-budget TV vehicle in "Maniac" as well as Tony Danza some work in "Good Cop." Netflix also profiles legendary music producer Quincy Jones. And Elizabeth Olsen plays a young widow in "Sorry For You Loss" on Facebook Watch.
This covers Monday, September 17 through Sunday, September 23, 2018.
MONDAY
"70th Primetime Emmy Awards" 8 p.m. NBC — Plenty of competition for best drama: "Handmaid's Tale" could beat "Game of Thrones" but "The Crown" just might sneak in there.
"Inside the Manson Cult: The Lost Tapes" 8 p.m. Fox — The two-hour true crime special culled more than 100 hours of footage and will go inside Spahn's Ranch, where Charles Manson and his followers lived.
"Better Call Saul" 9 p.m. AMC — Jimmy expands his business, but runs into a problem that only Kim can solve. Gus intervenes in Hector's medical care. Mike deals with a setback.
"Salvation" 9 p.m. CBS (second season finale) — One last mystery holds the key to saving the world, and Grace must choose how she spends her final days.
"Elementary" 10 p.m. CBS (sixth season finale) — Holmes and Watson face their greatest challenge to date when a murder investigation threatens to destroy their partnership.
"Lodge 49" 10:05 p.m. AMC — As Lodge members cope with the death of one of their own, a new visitor arrives with some troubling news.
TUESDAY
"Beat Shazam" 8 p.m. Fox (second season finale) — This game show has been renewed for 2019.
"The Great American Read" 8 p.m. GPB —Explore the ways that America's best-loved novels answer the age-old question, "Who am I?
"Sorry For Your Loss" 9 p.m. Facebook (new series) — Half-hour dramedy about a young widow (Elizabeth Olsen) dealing with grief while reconnecting with relationships from her past.
"Carter" 10 p.m. WGN — Harley and Sam investigate the sudden death of the actor who played a beloved mascot.
"Castaways" 10 p.m. ABC (first season finale) — Two Castaways come across an abandoned camp full of journals and resources left by other survivors.
"Wrecked" 10 p.m. TBS — Attempting to hide from the others during "The Hunt," Pack and Jess run into a new threat on the island.
"Mayans M.C." 10 p.m. FX — The M.C. alliances are tested and the Galindo family adopt unconventional methods.
"The Purge" 10 p.m. USA — Penelope prepares for her sacrifice; and Rick and Jenna weigh the cost of closing their business deal.
WEDNESDAY
"America's Got Talent" 8 p.m. NBC (13th season finale) — Will another sing take home the prize? No ventriloquism this year.
"Masterchef" 8 p.m. Fox (ninth season finale) — The Top Five home cooks face a series of pressure-filled skills tests using an incredibly common protein—beef.
"Suits" 9 p.m. USA (eighth season fall finale) — When Harvey and Zane can't stay on the sidelines, Donna does what's best for the firm.
"American Horror Story" 10 p.m. FX — Titled "The Morning After."
"Greenleaf" 10 p.m. OWN — The Bishop and Lady Mae make alternate plans after Clara denies them the check for the IRS bill. Grace tends to Sophia when a medical emergency sends her daughter to the hospital.
"The Sinner" 10 p.m. USA — Heather and Ambrose continue their search for Julian; and Marin's past is unraveled.
"I Feel Bad" 10 p.m. NBC (new series) — The premiere of the comedy series about the difficulties a woman faces in her personal and professional lives.
THURSDAY
"Braxton Family Values" 9 p.m WE-TV — Toni is shocked when Trina and Towanda reveal the truth about Traci's role in the strike. Tamar speaks out on family drama; Towanda hatches a plan to heal the sisterhood. Traci returns from the cattle drive and must perform amidst tense sister drama.
"Mountain Men" 9 p.m History — A midwinter melt threatens to derail Tom's season; Eustace masters gravity to keep the water flowing at home; Jason and Mary make a move to feed their growing family.
"Jay Leno's Garage" 10 p.m CNBC (fourth season finale) — Ken Block shows off his rally-racing chops at his Utah spread and takes Jay for a ride in his outrageous Group B car.
"Northwest Law" 10 p.m Animal Planet — Washington's Fish & Game Police put themselves in harm's way to protect all forms of wildlife, from dangerous dumpster diving bears needing to be relocated to cagey clam poachers.
"Snowfall" 10 p.m. FX (second season finale) — Franklin faces the consequences of his actions.
FRIDAY
"The Good Cop" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — Tony Danza plays Tony Sr. (Big Tony), a lovable yet not exactly honorable, former NYPD officer who never followed the rules. And his son, a straight-arrow cop, is played by Josh Groban.
"Maniac" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — Set in a world somewhat like our world, in a time quite similar to our time, Maniac tells the stories of Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) and Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill), two strangers drawn to the late stages of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial, each for their own reason.
"Quincy" 3:01 a.m. Netflix — A documentary about legendary producer Quincy Jones.
"The Paynes" 9 p.m. OWN — Curtis and Nyla make a truce.
"Wynonna Earp" 9 p.m. Syfy — A mysterious woman who knows a little too much about the Earps arrives on the Homestead with a special mission for Wynonna and Waverly.
"Killjoys" 10 p.m. Syfy (fourth season finale) — Aneela brings the Jaqobis brothers into Greenspace to defeat the Lady.
WEEKEND
"Truly, Madly, Sweetly" 9 p.m. Saturday Hallmark — Natalie and Eric each inherit a share of an old bakery and must decide what to do with the historic landmark.
"9-1-1" 8 p.m. Sunday Fox (second season debut) — On one of the hottest days of the year, the first responders are pressured as harrowing incidents keep happening, including a road rage accident involving a van full of tourists, an emergency at an auto-repair shop and a vet with a live grenade.
"Celebrity Family Feud" 9 p.m. Sunday ABC (fifth season finale) — The Kardashians vs. the West family.
"Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" 9 p.m. Sunday CNN (12th season debut) — He died during the middle of this season but CNN was able to cobble together enough material for one finale season.
"Fear the Walking Dead" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — The group's hope falters as they seek a way out. Alicia and Charlie reunite with friends.
"The Deuce" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO — Lori envisions a sunny future in Los Angeles after attending the AFFA Erotica Awards with Harvey and Candy, who's looking to connect with West Coast producers.
"The Last Ship" 9 p.m. Sunday TNT — With nations being rapidly occupied, Chandler tries his hand at diplomacy to unite two hostile countries so they can fight a common enemy.
"Shameless" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Frank confronts a new role and Fiona prepares to close a deal.
"Kidding" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Jeff tries to fix his heartbreak; and Deirdre deals with Maddy
"Ballers" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO —Spencer calls the Anderson Brothers for help. Julie accuses Charlie of being afraid to succeed.
"This is Life With Lisa Ling" 10:15 p.m. Sunday CNN (fifth season debut) — Community members combat the deadly resurgence of one of the world's most dangerous gangs, MS-13.
"Insecure" 10:30 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Issa tries to concentrate on her business plan, but is driven to distraction; Molly steps out of her comfort zone in her love life.
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