This was originally posted Sunday, May 14, 2017 by Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
I'm on vacation from May 5 to May 16 so I am not posting any breaking news at that time. In the interim, I am posting a few things I wrote in advance. If you are seeking breaking entertainment news, check out Jenn Brett's buzz column at buzz.blog.ajc.com or Melissa Ruggieri's music.blog.ajc.com.
Tracy Morgan suitably names his Netflix comedy special "Staying Alive" debuting Tuesday given how close to death he was.
On the other hand, Heath Ledger died at age 28 over drugs. Spike on Wednesday brings us a documentary featuring interviews from those who knew Heath best including close friends, family members, and industry peers, such as actors Naomi Watts, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, and Emile Hirsch, directors Ang Lee and Catherine Hardwicke, musicians Ben Harper, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), N'fa, and Grace Woodroofe, and the Ledger family.
And for folks of a certain age, "Twin Peaks" returns on Sunday on Showtime after 25 years.
Plus, there are a few season finales including "Grey's Anatomy," "NCIS," "The Blacklist," "Modern Family," "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons."
This covers Monday, May 15 through Sunday, May 21, 2017.
MONDAY
"Dancing With the Stars" 8 p.m. ABC — Simone Biles is still the front-runner.
"Gotham" 8 p.m. Fox — Gordon discovers the weapon the Court of Owls will use to destroy Gotham
"Man With the Plan" 8:30 p.m. CBS (first season finale) — Adam and Andi toy with having another baby.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — Semi-final performances.
"Scorpion" 10 p.m. CBS (third season finale) — The team's plane crash lands on a remote desert island while en route to Toby and Happy's honeymoon, leaving them all with little hope for rescue.
"Mommy Dead and Dearest" 10 p.m. HBO — The film details the story of Dee Dee Blanchard and her wheelchair-bound daughter, Gypsy Rose, who were once beloved residents of Springfield, Mo. That tight-knit community was rocked when Dee Dee was found murdered in her home, with Gypsy reported missing. After investigators tracked a graphic Facebook status post stating "that Bitch is Dead" to Wisconsin, a disturbing sequence of events ensued in which Gypsy Rose was implicated in her mother's murder – and it was discovered that Gypsy Rose had been the victim of her mother's abuse via Munchausen by proxy syndrome since early childhood.
"Quantico" 10:01 p.m. ABC (second season finale) — It's Alex and the team's last stand against the Collaborators at the Constitutional Convention, where a new amendment to the Constitution threatens every American's freedom.
TUESDAY
"Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive" 3:01 a.m Netflix — The first comedy special for this comic since a bus accident almost killed him.
"The Middle" 8 p.m. ABC (eighth season finale) — Having finally graduated college, Axl tells Frankie and Mike that he's planning on going to Europe over the summer with Kenny.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — Live semi-final results.
"Victorian Slum House" 8 p.m. GPB — Learn why, despite high unemployment and intolerable conditions, people flock to London.
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS (14th season finale) — Gibbs, McGee and Torres travel to a remote area of Paraguay, controlled by a violent group of rebels, in an attempt to locate a missing Navy Seal who disappeared during an unsanctioned trip.
"Prison Break" 9 p.m. Fox — Sara becomes fearful of her family's safety when she discovers the real reason that Michael faked his own death.
"Fresh Off the Boat" 9 p.m. ABC (third season finale) —Louis and Jessica make big changes to provide a better life for their family.
"The Americans" 10 p.m. FX — A surprise assignment from the Centre divides Philip and Elizabeth, forcing them into a moment of profound crisis. Stan gives Henry a tour of the FBI -- but will he see too much?
"Chicago Fire" 10 p.m. NBC (fifth season finale) — A dangerous warehouse fire puts truck and squad at risk.
"NCIS: New Orleans" 10 p.m. CBS (third season finale) — Unable to trust anyone in New Orleans, the NCIS team calls in FBI Assistant Director Isler (Derek Webster) to help expose and stop the sinister scheme Mayor Hamilton (Steven Weber) has planned for the residents of Clearwater,
"Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman" 10 p.m. Science (series finale) — Is gun crime a virus?
WEDNESDAY
"Blindspot" 8 p.m. NBC (second season finale) — As the FBI copes with a tragedy, Weller (Sullivan Stapleton) finds himself at the center of a surprising event. Jane (Jaimie Alexander) faces an uncertain future.
"Shots Fired" 8 p.m. Fox — After a shocking discovery is made about the Auxiliary Deputy program, the investigation zeroes in on the Sheriff's Department.
"Speechless" 8:30 p.m. ABC (first season finale) — As the family readies for their flight to JJ's camp, Maya gets a surprise at the airport.
"Law & Order: SVU" 9 p.m. NBC — When a young woman is raped by a member of her church group, Barba must argue that the First Amendment doesn't entitle a person to break the law.
"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC (eighth season finale) — Manny's father, Javier (guest-star Benjamin Bratt), shows up for his graduation and takes him out on a wild night of celebration.
"Downward Dog" 9:30 p.m. ABC (new series) — "Downward Dog" follows the day-to-day life of Nan, as told by her increasingly lonely and philosophical dog, Martin.
"Empire" 9 p.m. Fox — When Cookie is banned from Leviticus Vegas, she pulls together a team of her own allies to seek revenge on Giuliana and steal her secret weapon.
"Designated Survivor" 10 p.m. ABC (first season finale) — Hannah Wells must stop the conspiracy from carrying out a final attack while President Kirkman authorizes a nationwide manhunt for the mastermind behind it all.
"I am Heath Ledger" 10 p.m. Spike — This documentary opens an intimate window onto Ledger's private life through home movies (spanning from his teenage years in Perth to his death in 2008) and interviews with friends, collaborators and family members
"Fargo" 10 p.m. FX — Nikki and Ray's retaliation has consequences for Emmit. Meanwhile, Gloria and Winnie start connecting the dots. Written by Bob DeLaurentis; directed by Dearbhla Walsh.
THURSDAY
"Grey's Anatomy " 8 p.m. ABC (13th season finale) — Alex must make a hard choice in his relationship with Jo while Meredith has some big news for Nathan that brings things to a turning point.
"Masterchef Junior " 8 p.m. Fox (fifth season finale) — Chef Wolfgang Puck and Martha Stewart are guest judges as the top four vie for victory.
"Supernatural " 9 p.m. the CW (12th season finale) — Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) battles Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Castiel (Misha Collins) for control of his unborn child.
"First in Human " 9 p.m. Discovery (new series) — This series reveals how the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow make their way out of the hi-tech research laboratories and into the hands of our world's medical professionals.
"60 Days In Atlanta " 9 p.m. A&E — The afternmath of their time in jail is assessed.
"Scandal " 9:01 p.m. ABC — As the clock ticks down to the inauguration of the first female President of the United States, Olivia takes a big risk to ensure Mellie's safety.
"The Blacklist " 10 p.m. NBC (fourth season finale) — Red sets a risky plan in motion to save the Task Force and himself as Mr. Kaplan launches the final phase of her assault on his criminal empire.
FRIDAY
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (third season debut) — Guest stars this season include Laura Dern, Ray Liotta and Maya Rudolph.
"12 Monkeys" 8 p.m. Syfy (third season debut) — The first four episodes premiere tonight, with three episodes airing each night on both Saturday and Sunday.
"The Toy Box" 8 p.m. ABC (first season finale) — Hopeful inventors seeking an opportunity to earn a coveted spot in the finals present unique toy designs that include a card game that incorporates voice acting, baby's first robot and a liquid art toy
"Undercover Boss" 8 p.m. CBS (eighth season finale) — A celebrity version featuring chef Marcus Samuelsson.
"The New I Love Lucy Superstar Special " 9 p.m. CBS — Legendary comedian Harpo Marx and motion picture star Van Johnson are the guests featuring two colorized back-to-back episodes of the 1950s series.
WEEKEND
"The Wizard of Lies" 8 p.m. Saturday HBO — Starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer as Bernie and Ruth Madoff, the film examines Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme - his deception, lies and cover-up, all as the financier's wife and sons are catapulted into a harsh and unrelenting spotlight.
"Saturday Night Live"11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC (42nd season finale) — Dwayne Johnson hosts.
"Call the Midwife" 8 p.m. Sunday GPB (sixth season finale) — Witness the unexpected turn of events that lead to a hastily arranged wedding.
"2017 Billboard Music Awards" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — Chrissy Teigen and Ludacris host.
"The Simpsons" 8 p.m. Sunday Fox (28th season finale)— When Homer's court case determines that a dog's life is more valuable than a human's is, the status of man's best friend rises in Springfield.
"The Leftovers" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO — Laurie Garvey (Amy Brenneman), a former therapist, must become one again as she heads to Australia to help Nora (Carrie Coon) and Kevin (Justin Theroux) along their paths.
"Madam Secretary" 9 p.m. Sunday CBS (third season finale) — Elizabeth heads to Brussels to seek NATO's support against Russia when it threatens to invade Bulgaria.
"Twin Peaks" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime (series return) — Directed entirely by David Lynch, the new SHOWTIME 18-part limited event series TWIN PEAKS picks up 25 years after the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town were stunned when their homecoming queen Laura Palmer was shockingly murdered.
"Elementary" 10 p.m. Sunday CBS (fifth season finale) — Holmes and Watson pursue an elusive criminal as a gang war erupts in New York City.
"Into the Badlands" 10 p.m. Sunday AMC (second season finale) — AMC has renewed this show for a third season.
"Shades of Blue" 10 p.m. Sunday NBC (second season finale) —In a dramatic confrontation, Wozniak (Ray Liotta) faces the ally who betrayed him and makes his most difficult choice yet.
"Silicon Valley" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO —Cracks in Richard's (Thomas Middleditch) latest partnership become more apparent when he's forced to deal with an unexpected interloper.
"Veep" 10:30 p.m. Sunday HBO — Selina visits Qatar.
