Originally posted Monday, September 16, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Several summer reality shows wrap up including “Bachelor in Paradise,” “American Ninja Warrior” (which is promoting its second $1 million winner), “America’s Got Talent,” and “Masterchef.”
And one big one comes back: "Dancing With the Stars." For the first time, it took the spring off and came back with a potentially interesting cast, including Sean Spicer, Lamar Odom and James Van Der Beek. (Christie Brinkley broke her arm during rehearsals so ABC on Monday announced her daughter Sailor has replaced her. Bummer!)
If you haven’t gotten enough of your 1980s fix from “Stranger Things,” “The Goldbergs” and the current season of “The Deuce,” Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story” takes us back to mid-1980s summer camp.
On a sadder note, ABC explores the final days of "SNL" sketch comedy genius Phil Hartman this Wednesday. He died 21 years ago.
Zach Galifianakis plays a ridiculous version of himself as a terrible interviewer on a chat show and has somehow turned that into a Netflix film.
And Beyonce promotes "Lion King" with what sounds like a lovely Disney infomercial Monday at 10 p.m.
On Sunday, we find out how many Emmy’s “Game of Thrones” will take home in its final season. It airs on Fox this year.
This covers Monday, September 16 through Sunday, September 22, 2019.
MONDAY
"American Ninja Warrior" 8 p.m. NBC (11th season finale) — Las Vegas finals and winner crowned.
"Dancing With the Stars" 8 p.m. ABC (28th season debut) — Among the dancers: Sean Spicer, Georgia's Lauren Alaina, Christie Brinkley, Lamar Odom and James Van Der Beek.
"So You Think You Can Dance" 8 p.m. Fox ((16th season finale) — Winner will be picked from the final four.
"The Deuce" 9 p.m. HBO —Frankie takes his amateur porn business to the next level and ends up in a confrontation with Rudy, who pushes Vincent to up his profits
"A Very Brady Renovation" 9 p.m. HGTV — The teams wind back the clock to day one and take on four more iconic rooms.
"The Terror: Infamy" 9 p.m. AMC — A story of the past provides insight into the present evil that stalks the Terminal Islanders.
"Lodge 49" 10:01 p.m. AMC — As the Lynx prepare for The Mystic Chords of Memory, Dud's wound worsens.
"Beyonce Presents: Making the Gift" 10 p.m. ABC — Goes behind the scenes of her "The Lion King: The Gift" LP.
TUESDAY
"America's Got Talent" 8 p.m. NBC — Live finals.
"Bachelor in Paradise" 8 p.m. ABC (sixth season finale) — Chris Harrison and a studio audience watch as the four remaining couples - Demi and Kristian, Chris and Katie, Dylan and Hannah, and Clay and Nicole - spend one last night in the fantasy suites deciding if they are ready to take their relationships to the next level outside of Paradise
"Digital Addiction" 9 p.m. A&E — This groundbreaking new special uncovers the frightening world of digital addiction and the dramatic impact it has on those who battle it.
"Bering Sea Gold" 9 p.m. Discovery (13th season debut) — Despite the worst conditions in a decade, the miners hedge their bets as Shawn and Ken go head to head with their largest ships ever.
"Greenleaf" 10 p.m. OWN — While facing her past, Grace gives Phil the opportunity to impress key church leadership; Lady Mae steps in to do damage control in Grace's absence, and she is forced to face Mac's ghost and her own stained reputation.
"Mayans M.C." 10 p.m. FX — Mayans seek justice while Galindo's deal takes an unexpected turn south of the border.
WEDNESDAY
"America's Got Talent" 8 p.m. NBC (14th season finale) — The $1 million winner is named.
"MasterChef" 8 p.m. Fox (10th season finale) — Can Dorian Hunter of Cartersville take home the crown?
"Suits" 9 p.m USA — Mike helps Harvey overcome a personal loss; an attempt to take down Faye grows more complicated than what was originally anticipated.
"American Horror Story" 10 p.m FX (ninth season debut) — In the summer of 1984, five friends escape Los Angeles to work as counselors at Camp Redwood.
"Pearson" 10 p.m USA (first season finale) — Jessica is split between her personal and professional life. Keri makes a decision on her future.
"A Little Late With Lilly Singh: The Primetime Special" 10 p.m NBC — An introduction to Lilly Singh, late night's newest personality, featuring sketches and interviews as well as games and audience segment. Her show will be on 1:35 a.m.
THURSDAY
"Bigger" 3:01 a.m. BET+ (new series) — The series follows a single-black-woman who is dealing with the threat of marriage to a boring-in-bed boyfriend and the sudden, random death of a college acquaintance.
"First Wives' Club" 3:01 a.m. BET+ (new series) — The modern television remake of the classic 1996 revenge comedy starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton, now stars an all-star African American cast including Jill Scott, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Michelle Buteau.
"Return to Downton Abbey" 8 p.m. NBC — The cast of "Downton Abbey" join Derek Hough in the historic Highclere Castle in England to speak about the series leading up to the world premiere of "The Downton Abbey" film.
"The Last Days of Phil Hartman" 8 p.m. ABC — Examining the tragic 1998 murder of this comic genius.
"The Paley Center Salutes the Good Place" 9 p.m. NBC — A look at the comedy "The Good Place," featuring clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with the cast and creator Michael Schur.
FRIDAY
"Criminal" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — In a grueling interview, detectives pressure a taciturn doctor to confess to murder. Starring David Tennant, Clare-Hope Ashitey and Youssef Kerkour.
"Between Two Films: The Movie" 3:01 a.m. Netflix — Zach Galifianakis dreamed of becoming a star. But when Funny or Die picked up his public access show, he became a viral laughing stock. Now Zach and his crew are taking a road trip to complete a series of high-profile celebrity interviews and restore his reputation.
"Live PD" 9 p.m. A&E (fourth season debut) — Police departments in Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina and Indiana are tracked.
"Killjoys" 10 p.m. Scifi (series finale) — Dutch uses Khlyen to bait The Lady and finds herself in the midst of a final showdown,
WEEKEND
"Black Jesus" midnight Saturday Adult Swim (third season debut) — It's back after four years on hiatus despite Charlie Murphy's death.
"Chesapeake Shores" 8 p.m. Sunday Hallmark — The play is in jeopardy, it's Abby and Trace to rescue. David and Jess learn to work together, Bree learns to work alone.
"The 71st Annual Primetime Emmys" 8 p.m. Sunday Fox — Will "Game of Thrones" clean up?
"Power" 8 p.m. Sunday Starz — Tariq is following in his dad's footsteps.
"$100,000 Pyramid" 9:30 p.m. Sunday ABC — Katie Couric vs. Mario Cantone.
"The Affair" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Sierra struggles to balance motherhood with her burgeoning acting career. Sierra's mother visits uninvited.
"Fear the Walking Dead" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — When Virginia makes a statement Al responds in kind. Facing dire circumstances June leads the search for a new place to call home.
"On Becoming a God in Central Florida" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Krystal rubs elbows with the upper crust.
"Preacher" 10:05 p.m. Sunday AMC — The Messiah has finally arrived in Masada; The team try everything to stop the end of the world.
"Ballers" 10:35 p.m. Sunday HBO — The stakes for Spencer Strasmore have never been higher as the fifth season finds him settling into retirement.
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