Worth Watching: CMA Awards, a ‘Survivor’ Merge, Reliving the Preppy Murder
A selective critical checklist of notable Wednesday TV:
The 53rd Annual CMA Awards (8/7c, ABC): It’s the ladies’ time to shine on what’s being billed as “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” with 12-time host Carrie Underwood joined by living legends Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. They’ll team on an opening number, joined in a mega-medley by Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen (Brandy Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker and Gretchen Wilson. Another epic collaboration features a performance by Kelsea Ballerini with Lindsay Ell, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Runaway June. Though many of the headliners are women, the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Kris Kristofferson, who will be honored by a special performance of his iconic “Me & Bobby McGee” by Dierks Bentley with Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and John Osborne.
Survivor (8/7c, CBS): All bets, and maybe a few alliances, are off as the tribes merge in one of the most anticipated moments of any Survivor season. CBS marks the occasion with a two-hour block of back-to-back episodes. Keep those blindsides coming.
The Preppy Murder: Death in Central Park (AMC and SundanceTV): Over three nights (concluding Friday), this five-part docu-series revisits the investigation of the 1996 murder of Jennifer Levin by handsome son-of-privilege Robert Chambers and the sensational trial that ensued, smearing the reputation of the victim in a tabloid media war. The series includes interviews with detective-turned-reporter Mike Sheehan, who died shortly after talking with producers, and Jennifer’s point of view is represented by mother Ellen and sister Danielle.
Inside Wednesday TV: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog joins the panel on Fox’s The Masked Singer (8/7c), and let’s hope he saves his best material for his vapid fellow panelists and unctuous host, Nick Cannon… Two broadcasting legends get down to business in AXS TV’s The Big Interview (8/7c), when Dan Rather debriefs Bob Costas on subjects including the state of sports journalism and his split with NBC in 2018… Alex Rodriguez gives financial advice to controversial Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte on CNBC’s Back in the Game (10/9c). What, his Dancing with the Stars gig in 2016 wasn’t enough to rehab his reputation?
Conversation22 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
P
Only thing I have on tonight is Nancy drew
-
C
I'm barely sticking with Nancy mainly because it follows Riverdale which I've watched since the beginning. Nancy is not at all what I expected. I thought there would be a "case of the week" which she'd solve every episode in addition to the case that's been running through the season.
-
G
I grew up reading Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mystery books. LOVED THEM. I also watched the weekly series when I was very young, those were fun to watch. But form the previews that I have seen the new Nancy Drew show seems entirely different. I might give it a shot when I have nothing to watch.
-
G
CW's Burden of Truth has one long case per season also. But for the second season they introduced a quite serious cyber case only to almost drop it midway in the season and focus on a murder mystery. It was as if the showrunners didn't like where the initial case was going so they created another one.
Prodigal Son and Evil seem to be balancing the case of the week scenario along with the main story lines quite seamlessly.
-
C
I remember only girls reading Nancy and only boys reading Hardy Boys. It was even encouraged by teachers and librarians back then. I saw both Hardy Boys incarnations on TV. I don't remember the old Nancy Drew series. The new one has her a bit more mature but still single living with her father.
-
G
I wouldn't ADVERTISE to my friends that I read Nancy Drew books and watched the show. The show starred Pamela Sue Anderson who later graduated to ABC's huge hit Dynasty
-
C
We got our books from a large bookmobile which they ushered us in and out of in groups of about 10, so everyone saw and knew what books you were reading.
If I remember correctly, the bookmobile was divided into sections of "Books for Boys" and "Books for Girls," and they pretty much made us stick to the section for our gender.
-
-
G
Feels like yesterday that the Preppy Murder crime was committed. I remember 20/20 and other news magazines documented it extensively. There might have already been a cable movie (likely Lifetime) about it too.
I guess AMC feels the new generation would be interested in it.
I certainly have no desire to revisit the crime.
-
C
I don't remember it at all. At that time, I worked evenings and seldom saw a newscast. I wouldn't have paid much attention anyway, and I'm not really interested in it now.
-
G
The preppy killer claimed it was "rough sex" that killed her.
That was the first time I have ever heard that excuse.
-
-
R
THAT's Carrie Underwood? She looks, uh, a little different from the way she did a few years ago... 😮
Tonight SEAL Team isn't on, but I'll watch SWAT. Also, NOVA this week is examining how Leonardo da Vinci used science in his art.
-
G
Carrie Underwood was always attractive to me. I remember when she won American Idol quite some time ago, yes she looks very different even from just a few years ago. Such a great vocalist.
FBI was especially well done last night. Well written and very twisty. This episode had none of my usual annoyances .
-
C
She lost quite a bit of weight in the year after winning Idol and has kept it off through diet and exercise (and probably almost constant work). There was some concern among fans that she was anorexic, but she's continued to insist she's not.
She also switched from a rather natural farm girl look to a more sophisticated look with the help of makeup artists and hair stylists. Some fans like her look now better, but many preferred her girl-next-door look from Idol. I think she's gorgeous but looks a bit too much like a china doll.
-
G
The makeup gives off that china doll appearance. Her features are very good. I mean definitely one of the best looking Idol winners .
-
R
Actually I was thinking of the lip-plumping she's had done.
-
R
Yes, FBI was a little twisty last night. Started off with a nod to the college admissions scandal, and then twisted from there.
What is it about OA that usually annoys you? I know Jubal does the "shouting facts" thing, but what does OA do?
-
R
The picture looks like it's been overly airbrushed. I've seen her on tv quite a few times recently, and I wouldn't have recognized her in that photo.
-
G
I meant Jubal not OA. OA never annoys me. New boss lady is a bit distracting because she is very pretty. They might want to dress her down some and lighten up on the makeup.
-
-
C
With the special on ABC, all I've got tonight is Riverdale, Nancy Drew, and American Horror Story!
-
G
I have nothing tonight. So I guess I'll look for a great holiday movie classic. I usually don't start watching these until Thanksgiving (or soon after) but it's bitter cold out now and I'm finished with my yearly horror movie marathon!
-
O
Oh, no!!!
Perhaps you'll grow horribly bored and get a life tonight...!!!!
-
P
That's not very nice
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services