TV this week: Tony Awards celebrate the return of Broadway
Chuck Barney’s TV and streaming picks for Sept. 26-Oct. 2
WATCH THIS: “The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back! — “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom, Jr. hosts a lively concert special celebrating the joys of live theater and the reopening of Broadway. Among the stars appearing at New York City’s Winter Garden Theatre and performing stage musical classics are Annaleigh Ashford, Kristin Chenoweth, André De Shields, Jake Gyllenhaal, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bebe Neuwirth, Ben Platt, Chita Rivera and more. The special follows a live-steam presentation of the “74th Annual Tony Awards,” honoring the top shows and performances of the 2019-2020 Broadway season, which was halted by the pandemic. “Broadway’s Back!” (9 p.m. Sunday, CBS); “Tony Awards” (4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET Sunday, Paramount+).
Other bets:
SUNDAY: The new drama series “BMF” tells the true story of two brothers — Demetrius and Terry Flenory — who rose from the streets of Detroit in the 1980s to form a powerful crime operation. Their unwavering belief in family loyalty would be the cornerstone of their partnership and the crux of their eventual estrangement. The cast includes Oakland native Russell Hornsby. (8 p.m., Starz).
MONDAY: “American Experience: Citizen Hearst” is a two-part “unvarnished” documentary that explores the life of William Randolph Hearst. The model for “Citizen Kane,” he controlled a vast media empire, wielded unprecedented power and influence, and forever transformed the media’s role in American life and politics. (9 p.m., PBS).
MONDAY: As a new season of “The Good Doctor” begins, Shaun and Lea’s upcoming engagement party has everyone in a festive mood. Meanwhile, a young single mother learns her son may have contracted his cancer from a surprising source, and Mateo finds out if his previous issues in America will be resolved. (10 p.m., ABC).
TUESDAY: Someone obviously believes prime time could use a good, old-fashioned disaster saga. So bring on “La Brea,” which kicks off when — yikes! — a massive sinkhole opens in the middle of Los Angeles, pulling hundreds of people and buildings into its depths. (9 p.m., NBC).
WEDNESDAY: Tonight’s edition of “Nova” deals with “The Cannabis Question.” It examines America’s relationship with the long-demonized plant and delves into what scientists have discovered about its effects on the body and brain, including the potential risks and medicinal benefits. (9 p.m., PBS).
THURSDAY: Shondaland dramas “Station 19” and “Grey’s Anatomy” launch their seasons with a crossover event. Beginning with “Station 19,” much of the action happens at Seattle’s annual Phoenix Festival, which brings out some reckless behavior that challenges the teams at Station 19 and Grey Sloan Memorial. The storyline continues on “Grey’s Anatomy.” (8 and 9 p.m., ABC).
THURSDAY: Jon Stewart’s back. Will viewers still want to hear what he has to say? The former “Daily Show” host headlines “The Problem With Jon Stewart,” a weekly one-issue series that will focus on current events and issues. (Apple TV+).
FRIDAY: In the Season 12 premiere of “Blue Bloods,” as Danny consults a psychic to solve the murder of a young boy, Frank is at odds with the mayor over how best to protect the city from an uptick in crime following a high-profile shooting. The episode follows the season premieres of “SWAT” and “Magnum P.I.” (10 p.m., CBS).
SATURDAY: Horror-loving fans should get a kick out of “The Haunted Museum.” Produced in collaboration with filmmaker Eli Roth, it’s a new anthology series that presents hellish tales inspired by the creepy relics on display at Zak Bagans’ paranormal museum in Las Vegas. (Discovery+).
Contact Chuck Barney at cbarney@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/chuckbarney and Facebook.com/bayareanewsgroup.chuckbarney.