Entertainment Now May 19 – 25, 2024

April

The

By Dana Simpson

finale

showers bring May

flowers, but the best gift for TV lovers this May is finale season. As is tradition, networks all across North America prepare to wrap up many of their shows until the fall, among them procedural dramas, competition series, animated shows, family sitcoms and beloved news series.

Of all the spring finale weeks, May 19-25 is the most action-packed, with Sunday night, May 19, saying goodbye to seven TV shows and one longtime judge on ABC’s “American Idol.”

“American Idol” judge and “Roar” singer Katy Perry announced her departure from the long-running singing competition during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” back in February, and now the time has come to bid farewell to the pop diva.

Tune in for a parade of spring season finales — and one series finale — beginning Sunday, May 19, on CBS, Fox and ABC.

Cover Story

countdown: Major

“I love the show so much,” Perry told Jimmy Kimmel, “but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.” As for who comes out on top at the end of “American Idol’s” three-hour Season 22 finale, no one knows. But there will be one big winner and one fewer judge by the time the credits roll on May 19.

Another long-running series, “60 Minutes,” airs its 56th season finale May 19, on CBS.

Created by Don Hewitt with Bill Leonard (both of “CBS Reports”) in 1968, the news series has become a Sunday night staple for families across the continent. And although it seems likely that the show will return for another season of high-quality interviews and investigative reporting, no official renewal has been issued as of writing.

Also airing their final offerings for the season on Sunday are CBS’s “The Equalizer,” “CSI: Vegas” and “Tracker.” Rounding out the Sunday night finales are the long-reigning animated adult sitcom, “The Simpsons” and its younger counterpart, “Krapopolis,” on Fox.

But, as the work week ramps up, viewers catch a bit of a break. On Monday, May 20, just two Fox series air their final episodes of the season: the cooking show “MasterChef Junior,” showcasing the best up-and-coming young talents in the food world, and the always-astounding and creative dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance.” Tuesday, May 21, belongs to the Feds, as CBS airs the finales to “FBI” and its two spinoffs, “FBI: International” and “FBI: Most Wanted.” At the same time, on Fox, “The

networks bid farewell to stars and series

Cleaning Lady” leans into the other side of crime and tidies up its third season with a two-hour finale.

Come Wednesday, May 22, school is out for “Abbott Elementary” (until Season 4), but the focus is on the “Black-ish” spinoff “Grownish,” which is closing the door on the Johnson family’s story of growth and newfound adulthood after six seasons on ABC-Disney’s family network, Freeform.

“We’ve spent nearly a decade telling our stories through the ‘-ish’ series, and to say it has been an amazing journey would be an understatement,” said co-creator Kenya Barris (“Blackish). “To be able to watch ... our entire ‘Grown-ish’ family grow up in front of (and in many ways alongside) us over these past several years has been both a joy and an honor.”

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest and Luke Bryan in “American Idol”

What’s Available NOW On

“Sentinel” (May 24)

“The Kardashians”Season 5 (May 23)

“Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life” - Season 2 (May 22)

Two tiny troublemakers have huge adventures while trying to live the good life in a big city park. Nervous worrier Chip and laidback dreamer Dale make the perfect odd couple: they’re best buddies and they drive each other nuts. In their perpetual pursuit of acorns, these ultimate underdogs are joined by Donald Duck, Pluto, Butch and other iconic Disney characters as they face down bullies great and small.

“Mickey Mouse Funhouse”Season 3, New Episodes (May 22)

This whimsical animated series introduces preschoolers’ first pal, Mickey Mouse (voiced by Bret Iwan), and his friends to Funny (Harvey Guillén), an enchanted talking playhouse, who takes the Sensational Six on adventures of all types to unique worlds that inspire the imagination.

Mom Kris, along with daughters Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall and Kylie, tell their stories of love and life in the spotlight, from the pressures of running billion-dollar businesses to the joys of playtime and school drop-offs.

“McDonald & Dodds”Season 4 (May 23) Two detectives with seemingly nothing in common are thrown together. Wildly ambitious DCI McDonald (Tala Gouveia) and the shy DS Dodds (Jason Watkins) forge an unlikely friendship and entertaining, effective partnership as they take on puzzling cases.

“Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of X-Men ‘97” (May 22) Spend time with the original cast members, along with new voices, as they reveal the stories behind the classic show and its uncompromising continuation.

“The Beach Boys” (May 24)

A celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come, this documentary traces the band from humble family beginnings and features never-before-seen footage and all-new interviews with The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston.

“Ferrari” (May 24) Set in the summer of 1957, with Enzo Ferrari’s (Adam Driver) auto empire in crisis, the ex-racer turned entrepreneur pushes himself and his drivers to the edge as they launch into the Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy. Shailene Woodley and Penélope Cruz co-star.

“The Blue Angels” (May 23) The Blue Angels have been enthralling people both across the country and around the globe for more than 75 years. Now, Amazon MGM Studios and IMAX present a brandnew documentary that takes audiences soaring with the Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squadron as never before. Filmed for IMAX, the immersive footage puts you in the cockpit for a firsthand view of the Blue Angels’ precision flying.

In 2155, through a multi-dimensional portal, an alien invasion annihilates nearly the entire human race. Some of the people who manage to survive are miners hidden on the dark side of the moon and, years after the invasion, with the use of new technology, three soldiers are sent back to Earth.Upon arrival, the three heroes soon find themselves face to face with the all-powerful guardian of the portal known as the Sentinel and its army.

“The 1% Club” - Season 1 (May 23) Where the questions have nothing to do with remembering little known facts, endless reams of dates or obscure quiz trivia, this new game show is all about applying logic, reasoning skills and common sense. The show begins with 100 contestants, who are then whittled down as they compete to make it to the end and answer a question only 1% of the country can get right, in hopes of winning up to 100,000 dollars.

“Tires” (May 23)

At his father’s auto shop, a hapless manager strives to improve customer service and drive profits while keeping his troublemaking cousin in line. Shane Gillis, Steve Gerben and Chris O’Connor star.

“The Darjeeling Limited” (Available Now) In the Wes Anderson film, estranged brothers Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) reunite for a train trip across India. The siblings have not spoken in over a year, ever since their father passed away. As the brothers fall into old patterns of behavior, Francis reveals the real reason for the reunion: to visit their mother in a Himalayan convent.

“Dom” - Season 3 (May 24) In this crime drama’s third and final season, the countdown has started and our protagonists are even closer to death. On one side, Pedro (Gabriel Leone) finds shelter in Rocinha, the biggest favela in Rio, trying to run away from the police. On the other, Victor Dantas (Flavio Tolezani), aware of his son’s situation, has to cope with lung cancer and is doing everything in his power in a last attempt to save Pedro.

“Mulligan” - Part 2 (May 24) Allegiances are tested when the grim realities of life on an empty, alien-ravaged planet start to sink in for President Mulligan (Nat Faxon) and his rag-tag band of survivors (no plumbing! No food! Movies are just plays now!). In order to rebuild society they’ll have to overcome feral cub scouts, a cruise ship with a deadly secret, and each other.

“Atlas” (May 24)

Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. But when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it. Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, Gregory J. Cohan, Abraham Popoola, Lana Parrilla and Mark Strong make up the ensemble cast.

“My Oni Girl” (May 24)

In Studio Colorido’s fourth feature-length animated film, high school student Hiiragi yearns to get along with others and not be disliked. Even though he tries his best to do things for others, it never goes well. One summer day, he encounters an oni girl named Tsumugi — who has come to the human world to search for her mother. The complete opposite of Hiiragi, Tsumugi does whatever she pleases.

Sports Zone

8 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Conference Final: Teams TBA. Professional basketball action from the NBA. (Live) TNT NHL Hockey Conference Final: Teams TBA. The latest hockey action from across the NHL. (Live)

9 p.m. ESPN2 College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live) TRUTV NHL Hockey Conference Final: Teams TBA. The latest hockey action from across the NHL. (Live) Friday

1 p.m. GOLF 2024 Senior PGA Championship Second Round. From Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. (Live)

(Live) SNY MLB Baseball New York Mets at Cleveland Guardians. From Progressive Field in Cleveland. (Live)

6:30 p.m. ATTPT MLB Baseball San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates. From PNC Park in Pittsburgh. (Live)

7:30 p.m. TBS MLB Baseball Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs. From Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Live)

8 p.m. ESPN ESPN2 NBA Basketball Conference Final: Teams TBA. Professional basketball action from the NBA. (Live) WedneSday

1 p.m. SNY MLB Baseball New York Mets at Cleveland Guardians. From Progressive Field in Cleveland. (Live)

6 p.m. GOLF Women’s College Golf NCAA Championships: Team Match Play National Championship. From Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. (Live)

across the NHL. (Live)

8:30 p.m. TNT NBA Basketball Western Conference Final, Game 1: Teams TBA. Professional basketball action from the NBA. (Live) TRUTV NBA Basketball Professional basketball action from the NBA. (Live) thurSday

12:30 p.m. ATTPT MLB Baseball San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates. From PNC Park in Pittsburgh. (Live)

1 p.m. GOLF 2024 Senior PGA Championship First Round. From Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. (Live)

4 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf Charles Schwab Challenge, First Round. From Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Live)

7 p.m. ESPN2 College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live) SNY Minor League Baseball Hudson Valley Renegades at Brooklyn Cyclones. From Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Live)

1:30 p.m. FS1 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200, Qualifying. From Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (Live)

3 p.m. ESPN2 College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live)

3:30 p.m. FS1 NASCAR Xfinity Racing Series BetMGM 300, Qualifying. From Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (Live)

4 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf Charles Schwab Challenge, Second Round. From Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Live)

5 p.m. ESPN2 College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live)

6 p.m. FS1 ARCA Menards Series Charlotte. Racing action from the ARCA Menards Series. (Live)

6:30 p.m. ATTPT MLB Baseball Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates. From PNC Park in Pittsburgh. (Live)

7 p.m. ESPN2 College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live) SNY MLB Baseball San Francisco Giants at New York Mets. From Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y. (Live)

8 p.m. ESPN NHL Hockey Conference Final: Teams TBA. The latest hockey action from across the NHL. (Live)

8:30 p.m. FS1 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200. From Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (Live) TNT NBA Basketball Western Conference Final, Game 2: Teams TBA. Professional basketball action from the NBA. (Live) TRUTV NBA Basketball Conference Semifinal: Teams TBA. Professional basketball action from the NBA. (Live)

9 p.m. ESPN2 College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live) Saturday

6:25 a.m. ESPN2 Formula 1 Racing Monaco Grand Prix, Practice 3. Third free practice of the Monaco Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Live)

7:30 a.m. GOLF DP World Tour Golf Soudal Open, Third Round. From Rinkven International Golf Club in Schilde, Antwerpen, Belgium. (Live)

9:55 a.m. ESPN2 Formula 1 Racing Monaco Grand Prix, Qualifying. Qualifying of the Monaco Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Live)

11 a.m. ESPN College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live)

12 p.m. ESPN2 Men’s College Lacrosse NCAA Tournament, First Semifinal: Teams TBA. From Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Live)

WKBW-7 United Football League

St. Louis BattleHawks at Arlington Renegades. From Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Live)

1 p.m. ESPN College Softball NCAA Tournament, Super Regional: Teams TBA. Action from women’s college softball. (Live)

GOLF PGA Tour Golf Charles Schwab Challenge, Third Round. From Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Live)

WGRZ-2 WICU-12 2024 Senior PGA Championship Third Round.

From Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. (Live)

WIVB-4 WSEE-35 WNBA Basketball New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx. From the Target Center in Minneapolis. (Live)

WNYW-5 WUTV-29 NASCAR Xfinity Racing Series BetMGM 300.

From Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (Live)

1:30 p.m. SNY Horse Racing America’s Day at the Races. The best racehorses square off in the premiere races from across the country. (Live)

WPIX-11 MLB Baseball San Francisco Giants at New York Mets. From Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y. (Live)

2:30 p.m. ESPN2 Men’s College Lacrosse NCAA Tournament, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA. From Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Live)

3 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 PGA Tour Golf Charles Schwab Challenge, Third Round. From Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Live)

WKBW-7 United Football League Birmingham Stallions at San Antonio Brahmas. From the Alamodome in San Antonio. (Live)

4 p.m. ATTPT MLB Baseball Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates. From PNC Park in Pittsburgh. (Live) WGRZ-2 WICU-12 Track and Field Prefontaine Classic. From Eugene, Ore. (Live)

5 p.m. ESPN2 NLL Lacrosse Teams TBA. Action from the National Lacrosse League. (Live) 7 p.m. WNYW-5 WUTV-29 MLB Baseball All the latest action from Major League Baseball. (Live) 8 p.m.

In Focus

“Eric” (Netflix — May 30,

BY JAY BOBBIN

Ernest Borgnine makes an Oscar-winning ‘Marty’

A great example of a “little” film that made an enormous impact, “Marty” has been loved by audiences for almost 70 years. Adapted from a television play by Paddy Chayefsky, the 1955 picture becomes part of this month’s Turner Classic Movies “First Name Basis” series on Wednesday, May 22. Often seen as a villain previously, Ernest Borgnine won the title role – and an Oscar for best actor – by playing an amiable but lonely Bronx butcher encouraged by others, including his live-in mother (Esther Minciotti), to find a love interest. That person presents herself in the form of a shy teacher (Betsy Blair) who’s encountered by Marty during a night out at a dance hall, but he later lets himself be influenced by those around him who have their own reasons to opine that she’s not right for him. The result is a lovely and heartwarming movie that had Burt Lancaster among its producers, and also earned Academy Awards for best picture, Chayefsky’s screenplay and debuting director Delbert Mann.

“The Brady Bunch” (MeTV, Sunday, May 19): The yuletide season is some months away, but the first-season episode “The Voice of Christmas” has a good-anytime plot that would be channeled by the much-beloved TV movie “A Very Brady Christmas” two decades later. Famous for her singing as well as for playing this show’s Carol Brady, Florence Henderson uses her vocal range as her character practices for a holiday choir performance ... and ultimately loses her voice. It takes a special wish from youngest daughter Cindy (Susan Olsen) to Santa Claus to make things turn out right.

Ernest Borgnine stars in “Marty”

classiccorner

Trivia Crossword

Across 1. Cousin of “Phooey!”

4. Artist Chagall

8. Make use of 11. Yale Bowl rooter

12. Eight in Ecuador

13. Weeder’s tool

14. It follows a transitive verb

17. ___ Grove Village, Ill. 18. Greyhound, e.g.

19. One of the Baldwins

21. Looked over 24. “Greetings!”

25. You and I

26. Belonging to 27. 1982 Spielberg movie about an alien

28. Abominable Snowman

30. Holds 32. “Take ___”

34. Italian pronoun

35. Close male

companionship with a sworn loyalty

41. Fill the bill?

42. Colored eye part

43. Lennon’s lady 44. A.M.A. members 45. Jogging gait 46. Literary piece Down 1. Sack 2. Ryan’s “Love Story” (1970) co-star 3. Staff addition 4. Faux 5. Operate 6. Pi follower 7. Baseball great Ty 8. More than this?

9. Member of “The Squad,” informally 10. Sulky state 15. 1950s-’80s Chevy utility vehicle

trivia quiz

TV’s May Milestones

Questions: 1) May 6, 1957: “I Love Lucy” ends. How many seasons aired?

2) May 27, 1982: “Mork & Mindy” airs its final episode, titled “The Mork Report” — who directed it?

3) May 16, 1986: Which “late” “Dallas” character suddenly appears in the shower, in a plot twist that rendered all of Season 9 a dream?

4) May 9, 1992: Viewers bid goodbye to “The Golden Girls.” Which of the girls gets married in the finale?

5) May 20, 1993: What is the total run time of the “Cheers” series finale, including commercials?

6) May 14, 1998: How many viewers tune in to the series finale of “Seinfeld”?

7) May 1, 1999: Which long-running Nickelodeon animated series is previewed following the 1999 Kids’ Choice Awards?

8) May 6, 2004: An estimated 51.1 million people tune in to the series finale of “Friends.” Which cast member says the last line?

9) May 17, 2015: “Mad Men” wraps after seven seasons. How many Emmy Awards did the series win throughout its run?

10) May 21, 2017: A third season of “Twin Peaks” debuts. Who was David Lynch’s first choice for the role of Sheriff Truman but played his brother in the revival?

16. Nike’s slogan

19. Yawl call 20. Vitality 22. Gershwin biographer David 23. Clears 29. Honey 31. Large mackerel

33. Rework

34. Lion’s share

35. Entreat

36. Drink from a dish

37. “It’s c-c-cold!”

38. City on Guanabara Bay

39. Tackle’s teammate

40. Caviar

Solution is on page 5.

Lucille Ball in “I Love Lucy”