TV best bets with ‘Westworld’ finale, BET Awards, George Clooney, Kevin Costner

Most notable Atlanta-produced show: OWN’s “Love Is__”
Kevin Costner stars in a new sprawling series called "Yellowstone" where he plays a beleaguered rancher.

Kevin Costner stars in a new sprawling series called "Yellowstone" where he plays a beleaguered rancher.

Originally posted Sunday, June 17, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

At age 63, Kevin Costner has decided to star in a regular TV series for the very first time, going out to familiar environs: the West. (He also starred in a three-part History Channel 2012 miniseries "Hatfield & McCoys".)

In Paramount’s “Yellowstone” Wednesday, Costner’s character owns the largest ranch in the United States but feels like he’s being attacked on multiple fronts: land developers, a Native American reservation and Yellowstone National Park are all causing him headaches.

And in case you don’t know what Paramount is, it used to be Spike TV.

A bro from his era, George Clooney, is being honored by the American Film Institute, with the special airing on TNT Thursday.

Two awards show pop up this week: MTV’s Movie & TV Awards (which shows how TV has become elevated because it used to be just about movies) on Monday and the BET Awards Sunday.

The most notable new show shot out of Atlanta this OWN’s “Love Is__,” the network’s first effort at a romantic comedy on Tuesday.

And the dopiest new reality show is on ABC Monday “The Proposal.” Basically, folks meet up and quickly have to decide whether to get engaged or not by the end of the episode. In other words, it’s for viewers who find “The Bachelor” too sluggish in its courtship rituals.

This covers Monday, June 18 through Sunday, June 24, 2018.

MONDAY

"The Bachelorette" 8 p.m. ABC — Clay's stunning exit only revs up the already fierce competition for Becca's heart.

"It Will Be Chaos" 8 p.m. HBO — A look at the human consequences of the refugee crisis spanning the Mediterranean.

"Supergirl" 9 p.m. the CW (third season finale) — Supergirl and the team face Serena in a battle for Earth.

"Dietland" 9 p.m. AMC — Plum participates in the next step of The New Baptist Plan, doing whatever it takes to become truly beautiful.

"The MTV Movie & TV Awards" 9 p.m. MTV — Tiffany Haddish hosts the celebration of films and TV shows.

"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" 9 p.m. the CW — Jonathan Mangum guests.

"Elementary" 10 p.m. CBS — Holmes and Watson's search for the killer of a woman found encased in cement takes them inside the clean technology industry.

"The Proposal" 10:01 p.m. ABC (new series) — Ten women vie for a chance at love with mystery suitor Mike, a police officer from Bakersfield, Cal., in search of his soul mate. By the end of the night, Mike will propose to one of two remaining women. Then, the newly acquainted couple will trust fate and exit the stage possibly engaged to be married.

TUESDAY

"We're the Campbells" 8 p.m. TV One —The nine episode docu-series will give viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Gospel entertainment power couple Warryn and Erica Campbell.

"Animal Kingdom" 9 p.m. TNT — With the cops on their tail, the Cody boys try to pull off their first heist without Smurf and Baz.

"Little People, Big World" 9 p.m. TLC (16th season debut) — It is Jackson & Ember's first Christmas.

"Humans" 10 p.m. AMC — Laura wants the truth about Operation Basswood.

"Love Is__" 10 p.m. BET (new series) — The premiere of the humorous drama about a modern-day power couple.

"Younger" 10 p.m. TV Land — Liza faces complications on the book tour.

WEDNESDAY

"MasterChef" 8 p.m. Fox — The Top 20 venture out of the kitchen and head to the historic Anheuser Busch brewery in Los Angeles for their first team challenge of the season.

"Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours To Hell and Back" 9 p.m. Fox — Gordon Ramsay's "Hell On Wheels" travels to The Old Coffee Pot, a Cajun restaurant located in the heart of New Orleans.

"Yellowstone" 9 p.m. Paramount (new series) — Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by John Dutton, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S. It is under constant attack by those it borders.

"Brockmire" 10 p.m. IFC (second season finale) — Jim goes on a bender with his new nihilistic friend, Elle.

"Queen Sugar" 10 p.m. OWN — Remy and Nova act on their feelings; Ralph Angel bonds with his boss's daughter.

"Code Black" 10 p.m. CBS — Rox accompanies Willis and Martin to the funeral of an Army buddy of Willis' brother, and Willis decides to get to the bottom of what happened to his brother's unit.

"Colony" 10 p.m. USA — Katie suspects there might be a dark side to her refugee case work.

THURSDAY

"The Gong Show" 8 p.m. ABC (second season debut) — Judges are Fred Armison, Will Arnett and Rita Wilson. 

"Marvel's Cloak & Dagger" 8 p.m. Freeform — Tandy and Tyrone come face-to-face as the two are able to sit down and talk.

"Marlon" 8 p.m. NBC — Marlon and Ashley pretend they are still married to keep his sisters from being disappointed.

"Match Game" 9 p.m. ABC (third season debut) — The panelists are Kenan Thompson, Niecy Nash, Thomas Lennon, Caroline Rhea, Mark Duplass and Constance Zimmer.

"Alone" 10 p.m. History — Participants explore new—and risky—food sources in Mongolia, but as the survivalists begin to settle into their new remote surroundings, they realize they're not the only predators on the prowl.

"American Woman" 10 p.m. Paramount — Desperate to connect with her role model Lori, Kathleen drags Bonnie and Diana to a party in the hills, but when Diana tries to cut loose, things get out of hand.

"The 46th AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: A Tribute to George Clooney" 10 p.m. TNT  Cate Blanchett, Laura Dern and more fete and tease the prankster actor.

"Take Two" 10 p.m. ABC (new series)  The former star of a popular police TV series, who's not long out of rehab, teams up with a P.I. in order to do research for a potential new role.

WEEKEND

"Wedding March 4: Something Old, Something New" 9 p.m. Saturday Hallmark — The movie stars Jack Wagner and Josie Bissett in a mini-"Melrose Place" reunion.

"2018 BET Awards" 8 p.m. Sunday BET, VH1, MTV — Jamie Foxx hosts.

"Celebrity Family Feud" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — Steph Curry vs. Chris Paul.

"$100,000 Pyramid" 9 p.m. Sunday ABC — Atlanta resident Archith Seshadri competes. Questlove and Snoop Dogg are the celebrities.

"Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" 9 p.m. Sunday CNN (11th season finale) — CNN has chosen to air the remaining new episodes since Bourdain passed away. This was is in Bhutan.

"Claws" 9 p.m. Sunday TNT — Desna's relationship with Ruval deepens when he introduces her to his mother, Matilde.

"The Affair" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Cole tries to keep Alison's behavior from ruining an important deal, while Luisa's legal status threatens their future.

"Westworld" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO (second season finale) — No descriptive, just a show title "The Passenger."

"Preacher" 10 p.m. Sunday AMC (third season debut) — In an effort to save Tulip, Jesse and Cassidy take her to Jesse's family home, Angelville.

"Shades of Blue" 10 p.m. Sunday NBC — Dealing with a loss, Harlee pursues evidence of a higher level of corruption within the NYPD.

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