Worth Watching: Black History Month on ‘black-ish,’ Finales of ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Gifted,’ ‘Drunk History’ Sips From ‘Chicago’

Matt Roush
25 Comments
Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jenifer Lewis, Marsai Martin, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Laurence Fishburne in Black-ish
ABC/Ron Tom

A selective critical checklist of notable Tuesday TV:

black-ish (9/8c, ABC): Getting in just under the wire, the topical sitcom tackles Black History Month when Dre (Anthony Anderson) gets irked that twins Jack (Miles Brown) and Diane (Marsai Martin) aren’t getting as rounded an education on the subject as he would like. So he attempts to bring black history to life at a school assembly. Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer guest-stars as herself, and the episode is directed by series star Tracee Ellis Ross.

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Lethal Weapon (8/7c, Fox): Two on-the-bubble series wrap for the year, starting with the buddy cop drama that never quite recovered from losing one of its leading men (Clayne Crawford) between seasons. Weapon’s third-season finale brings unwelcome mayhem to the wedding of Cole’s (Seann William Scott) ex-wife Natalie (Maggie Lawson) and groom Andrew (Jonathan Sadowski). On the job, Cole’s own relationship with partner Murtaugh (Damon Wayans) is complicated by a new case. Will their bromance — and the show — survive? Hard to say.

Same goes for the second season of Fox’s The Gifted (9/8c), another Marvel-ous unfocused mess, ending with Reed (Stephen Moyer) trying to stay in control of his powers, though the Struckers soon realize that lacking enough serum, dad might just go over the top.

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Drunk History (10/9c, Comedy Central): Tie one on with some notorious femmes fatales, starting with the real-life 1920s jazz babies who inspired the hit musical Chicago‘s killer tag team of Velma and Roxie (courtesy of original author Maurine Dallas Watkins). Malin Akerman and Lake Bell are Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner in this tipsy scenario. A second narrative slurs its way through the notorious antics of WWI double agent Mata Hari.

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Inside Tuesday TV: Hulu begins streaming the fascinating documentary Three Identical Strangers, about three brothers born as triplets but separated at birth, who didn’t discover the others’ identity until adulthood. The joy of their meeting is colored by the dark backstory explaining why they were kept from each other for years… Laura Linney, Michael Moore and Chloë Sevigny make an eclectic trio, each learning fascinating details about their lineage on PBS’s Finding Your Roots (8/7c, PBS, check local listings at pbs.org)… Is Peggy (Mary McCormack) finally loosening her housewifely apron strings on ABC’s terrific nostalgia-with-a-bite The Kids Are Alright (8:30/7:30c)? When Peggy’s candle-making talents take time away from domestic duties, Mike (Michael Cudlitz) starts to worry that family is no longer her top priority… An all-reality competition night on NBC begins with a second episode of Blind Auditions on The Voice (8/7c), followed by a two-hour premiere of World of Dance (9/8c), with Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough and Ne-Yo returning as judges for the third season… It’s Plain Clothes Day for the training officers on ABC’s The Rookie (10/9c), which means all the newbies must make all the decisions while on patrol.

Black-ishDrunk HistoryLethal Weapon (2016)The Gifted



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  1. O

    OrangeGuitar

    The Gifted found its footing the second half of the season. During season 2 Fox didn’t promote it at all. I’m sure that’s because of the pending Disney deal. However I think Disney/Marvel would be wise to think twice before rebooting everything related to the X-men. They could find themselves with a DC-style mess. Sony got lucky with Spider-Man but constantly rebooting the same characters gets boring. WOnder Woman and Aquaman did well because audiences were getting something new but familiar- and excellent casting Helped.

    I Hope they take a chance and keep The Gifted going and actually promote it. EVen if it’s just for content on disney streaming

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  2. O

    OliveBullhorn

    Hope Blackish does black history month justice. It deserves nuance and intelligence not ham fisted lecturing or preaching like they do with a lot of topics though the colorism episode was surprisingly well balanced and nuanced. I'm curious if that Lethal Weapon show will even make it to another season since even if Damon Wayans sticks around its not exactly a highlight for Fox. Also, that Sammy Davis Jr. Bio was FANTASTIC! I never knew much about Sammy but after watching it last night I feel like I got the essence of this wonderfully complex, compelling, hilarious, entertaining and stylish man. I'm shocked there has never been a bio film on Sammy. Of course the only person I could ever see playing him is Eddie Griffin

    1. C

      CyanCoathanger

      To me, Clayne Crawford was the main reason to watch Lethal Weapon. I watched 2 episodes after he left and dropped it from my schedule. I found the first season of The Gifted much more interesting than this one, but I've stuck with it.

      1

    2. O

      OliveBullhorn

      I actually really love The Gifted, me and my friend really enjoy it. I don't know why it isn't doing well, its as good as anything else Fox airs

    3. C

      CyanCoathanger

      I will never understand why movies about people with special powers are huge hits, but the TV shows never do all that well.

      1

    4. O

      OliveBullhorn

      Agreed. Honestly the best comic book shows imo are Agents of Shield and The Gifted. The rest are too run of the mill for me, though I did enjoy Luke Cage and Jessica Jones but their second seasons struggled

    5. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Do you have any idea what date AoS S6 premieres?

      I keep checking but ABC is so vague.

    6. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Do you watch FOX's The Passage?

    7. O

      OliveBullhorn

      I was lol last night but I got thrown other shows I had to finish watching. I'll have to catch up on Demand

    8. O

      OliveBullhorn

      I definitely read the summer though I don't know the exact date myself.

    9. G

      GoldSubmarine

      So cool to have such an epic show for the summer. Last summer season 3 of Quantico and Salvation season 2 were my top shows.

      1

    10. G

      GoldSubmarine

      So far my favorite new show this season, so worth catching up.

      2

    11. O

      OliveBullhorn

      I remember some of the great summer shows of my youth like the great blue skies USA shows or TNT with Hawthorne, Memphis Beat etc

    12. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Well back in the 90's and most of the 00s, streaming was non existent so cable was the go to for summer shows. Now most people just stream what they want and create their own summer shows. But I still hope broadcast doesn't abandon scripted shows for the summer, because there have been some solid ones.

      1

  3. R

    RedCupcake

    I'll watch Finding Your Roots, as I usually do, and then FBI. I've got to remember to watch Miracle Workers, too.

  4. C

    CyanCoathanger

    Not so much to watch for a Tuesday! Housewife, Kids, Roswell, The Gifted, and Miracle Workers are my only shows on this week! I think I'll check out Mexican Dynasties just to see what it's all about!

    1. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Matt called The Gifted " another Marvel-ous unfocused mess".Surprised he even mentioned it is on tonight.

      He also didn't like last night's Enemy Within.

      There are and were better FBI shows (Quantico and FBI) but I'll stick with Enemy Within for now. It's watchable enough.

      What are your thoughts?

    2. R

      RedQuill

      "Not so much to watch for a Tuesday!"

      Have you checked out The Profit (Marcus Lemonis)...10 PM (ET) on CNBC???

    3. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Nope.

    4. C

      CyanCoathanger

      I agree with those who said it was The Blacklist with a female lead instead of a male lead. I found it watchable but not very interesting. If another show I like (besides Good Doctor) comes on at that time, I'll drop it.

    5. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Yes, but sometimes shows improve over time, especially after the pilot.

    6. C

      CyanCoathanger

      We'll see.

    7. R

      RedQuill

      I thought Jennifer Carpenter was somewhat more intense...(and...gaunt)...then I remember her on Dexter...but I WILL check out the second episode...

    8. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Yes, I noticed that her face is thin with defining cheek bones. As women age sometimes that occurs. I'll definitely watch the second episode too.

      1

    9. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Well her character was extremely intense and cold (understandable given her grim circumstance) . But I'm sure she will warm up and chill as the show progresses.

      CBS's FBI also features super serious main characters, but even they are starting to lighten up some.