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All Times Eastern. PBS programming varies regionally.
Wednesday, Aug. 9
Superfan
CBS, 9pm
New Series!
This new one-hour unscripted series features six music superstars as they each crown their biggest fan. Contestants play multiple rounds to prove they are their favorite artist’s most devoted supporter, with the winner claiming a once-in-a-lifetime prize. The series premieres with LL Cool J. The first season also includes Kelsea Ballerini, Gloria Estefan, Little Big Town, Pitbull and Shania Twain. Keltie Knight and Nate Burleson host.
Strange Planet
Apple TV+
New Series!
Based on Nathan W. Pyle’s bestselling graphic novel and webcomic of the same name, this new animated comedy series is a perceptive look at a distant world not unlike our own, where blue beings explore the absurdity of everyday human traditions.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Disney+
Season Premiere!
What time is it? Graduation time! Well, almost. That emotional day looms large as most of the Wildcats begin their senior year in the fourth and final season of the mockumentary inspired by the hit films. This round, teases exec producer Tim Federle, is their “most meta” yet. And he’s not kidding. Not only are East High’s theater kids performing a stage version of High School Musical 3: Senior Year — with newly united lovebirds Ricky (Joshua Bassett) and Gina (Sofia Wylie) as Troy and Gabriella — but East High is also the official film set for the fictional High School Musical 4: The Reunion.
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop
Netflix
New Series!
This four-episode docuseries recontextualizes the irrepressible women of hip-hop and their role in the genre’s 50 years by reinserting them into the canon where they belong: at the center, from Day 1 to the present. Each of the four installments features a parade of iconic emcees like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Rah Digga, along with up-and-comers and artists currently at the top of the charts.
Summer Under the Stars: The Nicholas Brothers
TCM, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
Stars of the Harlem Renaissance, the entertainment act Fayard and Harold Nicholas, known as the Nicholas Brothers, excelled in a variety of dance techniques and acrobatics, and appeared in many films beginning in the 1930s and throughout the century. TCM will be highlighting many of these during today’s lineup, including My Son Is Guilty (1939), a drama about a cop trying to keep his son from becoming involved in a crime ring; That’s Dancing! (1985), a documentary about the history of dance in film; Orchestra Wives (1942), an Oscar-nominated musical following the travails of a touring band and their families; Sun Valley Serenade (1941), an Oscar-nominated comedy about a big band’s experience at an Idaho ski resort, which features a young Dorothy Dandridge, to whom Harold was once married; and Pie, Pie, Blackbird (1932), a musical short about two boys who eat a magical blackberry pie.
Nancy Drew: “The Sinner’s Sacrifice”
The CW, 8pm
Ryan (Riley Smith) shows up just in the nick of time to help Nancy (Kennedy McMann); Nick (Tunji Kasim) is thrown by a statement George (Leah Lewis) makes.
MasterChef: United Tastes of America: “United Cakes of America”
FOX, 8pm
In the 250th episode of MasterChef, titled “United Cakes of America,” the kitchen heats up when the chef with immunity is tasked to assign each contestant with an iconic cake to re-create.
LA Fire & Rescue
NBC, 8pm
Season Finale!
In “Passing the Torch,” the first season finale, probationary firefighter Jeff Olivas subs in for a shift at Station 16, where his father is captain. Meanwhile, Air Ops responds to a rescue call that requires the responders to rappel into a canyon after a car drives off a cliff.
Riverdale: “Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Five: For a Better Tomorrow”
The CW, 9pm
Archie (K.J. Apa) reconsiders his future after Uncle Frank (Ryan Robbins) gives him a hard time about his poetry.
Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars: “Feast Your Eyes”
FOX, 9pm
In the new episode “Feast Your Eyes,” the top four entrepreneurs must work together to integrate their dishes with a circus performance in the hope of advancing to the finale. Wayne Newton is a guest judge.
Human Footprint
PBS, 9pm
Series Finale!
In the series finale “The Ground Below,” biologist Shane Campbell-Staton explores the history and science of cotton, and how a prehistoric coastline from North Carolina to Texas laid the foundation for a crop that reshaped our history, our culture and even our DNA.
grown-ish: “Toxic”
Freeform, 10pm
The crew waves red flags when Zaara (Tara Raani) is consumed by a fling with Drea (Wilder Yari); Aaron (Trevor Jackson) feels a romantic spark.
Thursday, Aug. 10
Mech Cadets
Netflix
New Series!
Scrappy teenager Stanford Yu (voiced by Brandon Soo Hoo) dreams of breaking away from his janitor job and becoming a robo-pilot in this comics-based show set 50 years in the future. Daniel Dae Kim and Ming-Na Wen also lend their voices.
Painkiller
Netflix
New Series!
This six-episode limited series dramatizes how the powerful prescription opioid OxyContin — manufactured by drug company Purdue Pharma and promoted as a nonaddictive pill that would end pain — led to a massive rise in addiction and deaths. “This is a conspiracy story,” says executive producer Eric Newman, comparing Purdue to the Mexican cartels in his hit show Narcos. The series is populated by real and composite players, with a cast including Matthew Broderick and Taylor Kitsch.
Love in Taipei
Paramount+
Original Film!
Based on the bestselling novel Loveboat, Taipei, this film stars Ashley Liao as Ever Wong, a young American woman whose parents send her to a Taiwanese cultural immersion program for the summer. Ever soon discovers that the program entails less learning and more loving — locals have nicknamed it the “Loveboat.” Free from her overbearing parents, Ever pursues her passion for dance while slipping into a surprising love triangle.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Paramount+
Season Finale!
Season 2 of this series depicting the adventures of the starship Enterprise in its pre-Kirk days, under the leadership of Captain Christopher Pike, concludes. Strange New Worlds has been renewed for a third season.
Summer Under the Stars: Rhonda Fleming
TCM, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
One of Hollywood’s most glamorous actresses of the 1940s and ’50s, Rhonda Fleming is getting her first SUTS celebration today, on the 100th anniversary of her birth (she was born Marilyn Louis on Aug. 10, 1923; she passed away Oct. 14, 2020, at age 97). In several of the 13 films featured in TCM’s lineup, you’ll see why the highly photogenic Fleming became known as the “Queen of Technicolor,” but her beauty and talent shine through in the black-and-white productions, as well. Among the highlights during this day are the film noir classic Out of the Past (1947), the musical comedy A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949) and the historical adventure Serpent of the Nile (1953), with Fleming as Cleopatra.
NFL Preseason
NFL Network, beginning at 7pm Live
The Houston Texans are at the New England Patriots and the Minnesota Vikings visit the Seattle Seahawks in a pair of Week 1 NFL preseason games on NFL Network.
WNBA Basketball
Prime Video, beginning at 7pm Live
A WNBA doubleheader kicks off with the Lynx taking on the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, followed by the Sun and Mercury clashing at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
The Challenge: USA
CBS, 10pm
Season Premiere!
Fan favorites from CBS reality shows Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race and others compete in one of the most unpredictable and demanding games of their lives alongside some of The Challenge’s biggest reality titans. T.J. Lavin serves as host.
Revealed
HGTV, 10pm
Season Finale!
In “Family Values,” newlyweds look to turn their ranch-style home into a gathering place for their diverse families, and the baby on the way. Veronica Valencia is challenged with pulling inspiration from Guam, Thailand and Scandinavia to re-envision their living spaces and nursery.
Alone Australia
History, 10:30pm
New Series!
The new entry in the Alone survival competition franchise follows 10 participants who will shed modern possessions, practices and comforts to move into remote and unfamiliar wilds Down Under. In tonight’s premiere, the survivalists are dropped into Tasmania’s remote wilderness in the middle of winter. The challenge is simple: They must survive alone and unaided for as long as possible, with the last person standing winning $250,000 (AUD).
Friday, Aug. 11
Heart of Stone
Netflix
Original Film!
Gal Gadot leads the action in this stunt-packed, globe-trotting thriller as Rachel Stone, an elite agent working for a secret international group that employs a massive quantum computer known as “The Heart” to detect and avert potential threats to mankind. After one mission goes tragically awry, Stone sees her world — and relationship with a colleague (Jamie Dornan) — turned upside down.
Red, White & Royal Blue
Prime Video
Original Film!
Politics, British royalty and queer romance collide in this fizzy love story inspired by Casey McQuiston’s bestselling 2019 novel. On the surface, Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), son of the first female U.S. president (Uma Thurman), and royal heir Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) should be a match made in heaven. They’re both famous, handsome young men with oodles of charisma and smarts. The problem? Their long-standing beef. When their mutual irritation leads to a skirmish at a public event — they shove each other into a wedding cake! — a tabloid frenzy unfolds at the worst possible time for U.S.-British relations. Their families move to control the damage and force them into a PR truce. But as Alex and Henry spend time together, a friendship is forged, and sparks fly between these sworn enemies. Saddled with their high-profile roles as first son and Prince of Wales, and both in the closet publicly, can they make it work?
Summer Under the Stars: Alan Ladd
TCM, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
Over a film career that ran from the early 1930s until just before his untimely passing in early 1964 at age 50, Alan Ladd became most identified with the Western and film noir genres, finding success in the 1940s and ’50s thanks to many of the films that are airing during today’s Summer Under the Stars salute to the actor. Among the 12 titles on tap are classic Ladd-led noirs like The Blue Dahlia (1946), The Glass Key (1942) and This Gun for Hire (1942), as well as Westerns like The Big Land (1957), Guns of the Timberland (1960) and, of course, Shane (1953), featuring Ladd in one of his most well-known and -loved roles as the title character.
NFL Preseason
NFL Network, beginning at 7pm Live
Week 1 of the NFL preseason continues tonight with the Green Bay Packers at the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at the Arizona Cardinals.
Family Law: “Wicked Games”
The CW, 8pm
Abby (Jewel Staite) throws herself into helping a woman who claims that her ex-husband is harassing her.
Outlander
Starz, 8pm
Midseason Finale!
The first half of Season 7 concludes with “Turning Points,” in which Jamie (Sam Heughan) fights in the pivotal Second Battle of Saratoga. The second half of the season is expected in 2024.
Moonshine: “Blueberry Season”
The CW, 9pm
The Moonshine is forced to shut its doors for the first time in 40 years.
Big Sky River: The Bridal Path
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9pm
Original Film!
Tara (Emmanuelle Vaugier), now settled in Montana and dating Cowboy Boone (Kavan Smith), works to bring their family lives together, but tensions and challenges arise.
My Lottery Dream Home
HGTV, 9pm
Season Premiere!
In “Luck Comes in Pairs,” a couple were thrilled when their son struck it big and won $100,000, and a year later, they won a whopping $2 million themselves. Now, they’re calling on David Bromstad to help find a forever home where their lucky family can relax in Richmond, Virginia.
Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip With Sam and Graham
Starz, 9:35pm
Season Premiere!
Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish take viewers along to discover the rich, complex heritage of New Zealand, meeting local artisans and experts, and experiencing genuine moments of awe and fascination.
The Proof Is Out There: “Marfa Lights, Devil Goat and Subway Survivor”
History, 10pm
Veteran TV journalist Tony Harris and his team of experts dive into the following questions: Are the famous glowing lights seen above Marfa, Texas, a natural or supernatural phenomenon? What spirit possessed a goat to walk down a street like a human? Are mysterious stone carvings in Japan connected to a legendary close encounter? And how did a woman miraculously survive falling onto the subway track as an oncoming train passed by?
Saturday, Aug. 12
Summer Under the Stars: Deborah Kerr
TCM, beginning at 6am
Catch a Classic!
Although nominated six times for the Best Actress Oscar throughout her career, British actress Deborah Jane Trimmer — better known as Deborah Kerr — never won, and she holds the record for most nominations in the category without a win. Despite not obtaining any hardware from the Academy, Kerr still gave indelible performances in everything from dramas and musicals to romantic comedies and psychological horror films. In 1994, Kerr was at least recognized by the Academy with an Honorary Oscar, which was accompanied by very accurate recognition of her as “an artist of impeccable grace and beauty, a dedicated actress whose motion picture career has always stood for perfection, discipline and elegance.” Among the Kerr classics featured during today’s Summer Under the Stars salute to the actress are Quo Vadis (1951), King Solomon’s Mines (1950), Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) and An Affair to Remember (1957).
NFL Preseason
NFL Network, beginning at 1pm Live
Four NFL preseason games air today on NFL Network: Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears, N.Y. Jets at Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens and L.A. Chargers at L.A. Rams.
NTT IndyCar Series: Gallagher Grand Prix
USA Network, 2:30pm Live
The engines start on a big weekend of IndyCar and NASCAR racing on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course as Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson and other IndyCar stars battle in the Gallagher Grand Prix.
MLB Baseball
FOX & FS1, beginning at 7pm Live
Saturday’s primetime regional MLB games on FOX feature the L.A. Angels at the Houston Astros, the Milwaukee Brewers at the Chicago White Sox or the Atlanta Braves at the N.Y. Mets. The late game on FS1 has the Baltimore Orioles at the Seattle Mariners.
The Wild Sides: “Flood and Foes”
BBC America, 8pm
In the new episode “Flood and Foes,” the desperately needed rains finally arrive, but the relief they bring also brings danger in the form of a pride of lions looking for food.
A Safari Romance
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Megan (Brittany Bristow) is a research scientist and Ph.D. student living in South Africa while working as a ranger on a nature reserve. When an American theme park designer (Andrew Walker) arrives to capture footage for a safari-themed attraction, Megan serves as his guide. As they spend time together, a romance develops, but Megan is afraid of letting herself fall for someone who lives half a world away.
Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story
Lifetime, 8pm
Original Film!
This ripped-from-the-headlines original shares the 36-day ordeal of 15-year-old Elizabeth Thomas (played by Summer Howell), who was abducted by a trusted teacher (Michael Fishman plays Tad Cummins) who had groomed her and convinced her that he would kill himself if she didn’t leave town with him. Thankfully, Elizabeth knew that she wasn’t safe with him, and left clues and notes along the way, helping lead rescuers to them.
Baking It
NBC, 8pm
Season Finale!
In “Explosive Master Bakes,” the bakers create a centerpiece dish for a holiday celebration.
Prime Suspect: Earth
The Weather Channel, 8pm
Season Finale!
The Weather Channel series exploring the role of nature in some of history’s biggest mysteries wraps up its first season with “Roanoke Riddle & Icy Blast,” exploring the disappearance of the first New World colony at Roanoke and how five planes start the Bermuda Triangle legend.
Kings of BBQ
A&E, 9pm
New Series!
Emmy-nominated actor and producer Anthony Anderson and renowned actor, producer, and comedian Cedric the Entertainer take their love of barbeque to the next level and work together to start their own barbeque empire, AC Barbeque.
Hip Hop Treasures
A&E, 10pm
New Series!
A search is on for lost hip-hop memorabilia, and it’s being led by LL Cool J, Ice-T, field collectors Cipha Sounds and Yo-Yo, chief museum curator Paradise Gray, and curator Pete Nice. This passionate group is curating some of the more elusive items so they can be put on display at the Universal Hip Hop Museum. The Bronx-based museum is poised to become “The Official Record of Hip Hop” and will open to visitors in 2024.