This second week of TV viewing in 2021 will feature whatever is happening on cable news regarding politics, the pandemic and the NFL playoffs.
But there are other options.
Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor on Thursday star in an HBO Max film, “Locked Down,” that is focused around early life during the pandemic that then becomes a comedic heist movie. HBO Max is also launching a reality food show starring Wolfgang Puck, called “The Event,” on the same day.
Over on Amazon Prime Friday, Regina King makes a feature directing debut in the period film set in 1964 called “One Night in Miami,” an adaptation of Kemp Powers’s 2013 stage play. One night, Cassius Clay (Eli Gorree) hung out with Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge). The film imagines what they might have talked about.
On Netflix, a doc about crack cocaine debuts Monday followed by “Night Stalker” on Wednesday about a serial killer. On Friday, the service introduces a “Crazy Rich Asians”-style reality show called “Bling Empire.”
Hulu’s biggest entry is a young adult drama out Friday about a teen who has a tumor that will cause him to lose his hearing, and he takes a trip across America to record sounds that mean a lot to him. Thus, the title of the film is “The Ultimate Playlist of Sound.”
On broadcast TV, Kyra Sedgwick, best known as the tough detective in TNT’s “The Closer,” tries her hand at a comedy as an empty nester in the new ABC comedy “Call Your Mother,” out Wednesday.
On basic cable, HGTV Monday is debuting its first-ever show featuring former Atlanta resident Ty Pennington called “Ty Breaker” where a buyer has to decide whether to fix up their existing place or fix up a new pad.
And on Disney+, Marvel introduces its first streaming service TV series focused on two characters from its comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) called “WandaVision.” It’s a trippy ride through the history of sitcoms.
This covers Monday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 17.
MONDAY
“Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy” 3:01 a.m. Netflix — A cheap, powerful drug emerges during a recession, igniting a moral panic fueled by racism. Explore the complex history of crack in the 1980s.
“The Bachelor” 8 p.m. ABC — One of the women Matt really likes is Cumming graphic designer Rachael, Kirkconnell.
“All American Stories” 8 p.m. the CW (new series) — Profiles eight incredible athletes who overcame unimaginable obstacles in their relentless pursuit of greatness.
“Antiques Roadshow” 9 p.m. GPB — Updated appraisals include Plains & Prairie American Indian art, a presentation sword with a Lincoln-signed appointment, and an 1885 Opening Day baseball program.
“30 Coins” 9 p.m. HBO — Elena and Paco discover that a local mirror is haunted.
“Ty Breaker” 9 p.m. HGTV (new series) — Ty Pennington helps desperate families decide whether to overhaul their current property or renovate a new one to better meet their needs.
“The Good Doctor” 10 p.m. ABC — As Chief of Surgery Dr. Audrey Lim struggles to cope with the residual emotional trauma of COVID-19, she encounters a young war veteran fighting debilitating PTSD.
TUESDAY
“The Haves and the Have Nots” 8 p.m. OWN (eighth season finale) — Veronica plots her biggest revenge of all time.
“Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates” 8 p.m. GPB — Explore the immigrant roots of Nancy Pelosi, Norah O’Donnell and Zac Posen.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” 8 p.m. NBC — Zoey’s attempts to spend private time with Max are continually thwarted by both Mo and work problems.
“The Resident” 8 p.m. Fox — After a long wait, Conrad and Nic prepare for their wedding day with the support of their family and friends.
“This Is Us” 9 p.m. NBC — Randall uncovers new truths about his past.
“Prodigal Son” 9:01 p.m. Fox (second season debut) — Bright finds his personal life in disarray after his sister’s shocking actions.
WEDNESDAY
“Everyone Is Doing Great” 12:01 a.m. Hulu (new series) — Seth (Stephen Colletti) and Jeremy (James Lafferty) enjoyed the success of “Eternal,” a hit television vampire drama. Five years after their show has ended, they lean on each other as they awkwardly navigate the perils of life and love in a late coming-of-age.
“Night Stalker” 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — Beneath the sunlit glamour of 1985 LA lurks a relentlessly evil serial killer. In this true-crime story, two detectives won’t rest until they catch him.
“Chicago Med” 8 p.m. NBC — Dr. Charles and April team up to take on a mysterious patient in the emergency department.
“The Goldbergs” 8 p.m. ABC — Inspired by his obsession, Adam helps Beverly plan a murder mystery party for the family.
“Chicago Fire” 9 p.m. NBC — A mishap on the aerial ladder in the midst of a fire rescue leaves Mouch shaken and questioning his abilities.
“The Conners” 9 p.m. ABC — Ben’s mom, Barb, arrives in town after an unexpected death and unveils shocking information from the past.
“Seal Team” 9 p.m. CBS — With no leads on Ray’s whereabouts, Jason pushes the Bravo team to extreme lengths and considers crossing a dangerous line to help locate their missing brother.
“Call Your Mother” 9:30 p.m. ABC (new series) — Jean (Kyra Sedgwick), an empty-nester mom, wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away.
“Chicago PD” 10 p.m. NBC — Ruzek and Burgess discover a child walking alone in the middle of the street, and when they take her home, they discover her entire family has been murdered.
“S.W.A.T.” 10 p.m. CBS — The SWAT team goes on the hunt for a sniper who is targeting the Los Angeles Fire Department by setting fires around the city to lure in unsuspecting engine companies.
THURSDAY
“The Event” 3:01 a.m. HBO Max (new series) — The 4-episode culinary series takes viewers into the kitchen of Wolfgang Puck’s elite catering company as his team tackles some of the industry’s biggest, most exclusive events.
“Locked Down” 3:01 a.m. HBO Max — A sparring couple (Anne Hathaway & Chiwetel Ejiofor) is stuck together at home in what is being termed as a “rom-com heist” movie.
“Search Party” 3:01 a.m. HBO Max (fourth season debut) — After Dory is found innocent of the death of Keith Powell, she’s more or less immediately kidnapped by her stalker, Chip.
“Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” 8 p.m. ABC — Drew Carey, Teri Hatcher, and Chrissy Metz play.
“Hell’s Kitchen” 8 p.m. Fox — In their first individual challenge, the chefs are tasked with creating a shrimp dish worthy of the opening night menu.
“Mr. Mayor” 8 p.m. NBC — Jayden interviews candidates for an opening on the team.
“Superstore” 8:30 p.m. NBC — The employees are forced to reckon with systemic racism in the store, with Garrett leading the charge, after Cloud 9 changes their policy of locking up Black beauty products.
“Law & Order: SVU” 9 p.m. NBC — The SVU investigates whether a role-play session on a camming website turns violent when one user decides to meet his idol in person.
“Last Man Standing” 9:30 p.m. Fox — Mike reluctantly finds himself acting as Ryan’s mentor when he is offered a big corporate job.
FRIDAY
“One Night in Miami” 12:01 a.m. Amazon — After winning the heavyweight title in 1964, boxer Cassius Clay gathers his friends NFL star Jim Brown, singer Sam Cooke and activist Malcolm X for a celebration and lively discussion about their lives, passions, beliefs and roles in the civil rights movement in King’s directorial debut.
“The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” 12:01 a.m. Hulu — A high school senior who’s about to lose his hearing embarks on a journey to hear his late brother’s voice one last time.
“Bling Empire” 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — Follow L.A.’s wildly wealthy Asian and Asian American fun seekers as they go all out with fabulous parties, glamour and drama in this reality series.
“WandaVision” 3:01 a.m. Disney (new series) — Marvel characters Wanda and her android beau, Vision, land in various sitcom tropes from past years, evoking everything from “Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Brady Bunch” to “Full House.”
“Shark Tank” 8 p.m ABC — A husband and wife from Los Angeles, California, “slice up” a new way to eat your favorite flavor-packed condiment with their twist on traditional sauces.
“Magnum P.I.” 9 p.m. CBS — As a major hurricane hits the Island, Magnum and his friends find shelter inside local restaurant-bar La Mariana, along with two armed killers also escaping the dangerous storm.
WEEKEND
“Batwoman” 8 p.m. Sunday the CW (second season debut) — Kate’s friends and family hold on to hope that Kate may still be found, a homeless 25-year-old named Ryan Wilder stumbles upon Kate’s Batsuit.
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Marlo warns LaToya that Kenya will turn on her.
“Tiger” 9 p.m. Sunday HBO (second of two parts) — How Tiger came back from an embarrassing scandal and injuries.
“Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” 9 p.m. Sunday ABC — Karamo Brown is in the hot seat.
“NCIS: New Orleans” 9 p.m. Sunday CBS — When a Navy therapist with a high level of security clearance is murdered, Pride and the team discover that she was working around the system to get justice for victims of sexual assault.
“The Rookie” 10 p.m. Sunday ABC — Officer John Nolan’s mom makes an unannounced visit that complicates his life, and Sergeant Grey considers retiring.
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