New Network for ‘Kids,’ ‘Sons of Sam’ on Netflix, ‘Million’ Gets Real, ‘Crank Yankers’

Season Premiere

8/7c

The big kid known as comedian Tiffany Haddish is back in business with scene-stealing small fry as the comedy-variety series moves from ABC (where the revival aired for one season) to the franchise’s original home base of CBS, where a pre-scandal Bill Cosby held court from 1998 to 2000. In one bit, the kids flip out when one of Tiffany’s wigs begins communicating with them. In a less promising cross-promotional stunt, she takes the tykes to the set of The Price Is Right, where host Drew Carey leads them through some pricing games. Where next, Survivor island?

Documentary Premiere

The notorious serial killer dubbed “Son of Sam” is no stranger to the true-crime genre, but this four-part docuseries digs deeper to question whether David Berkowitz acted alone in his late ’70s murder spree. The focus of Sons of Sam is on journalist Maury Terry (author of Ultimate Evil), who spent decades investigating connections to deadly cults and other possible accomplices, a rabbit hole from which there was no easy exit.

10/9c

The Boston buddies put their myriad personal issues aside when news of the George Floyd murder seeps into their dinner party, spurring action as they participate in a Black Lives Matter march. All but Rome (Romany Malco), who stays behind to bond with his widowed dad (Lou Beatty Jr.) over being a Black man in America. Another form of trauma surfaces when Gary’s (James Roday Rodriguez) battle-scarred girlfriend Darcy (Floriana Lima) connects with his dad (Paul Rodriguez) over his experiences in the Vietnam War.

Having barely survived their harrowing escape, June (Elisabeth Moss) and Janine (Madeline Brewer) hitch a ride to the war zone of Chicago in a most unusual train car. What’s awaiting them at the end of their tumultuous journey? Nothing pleasant, you can bet. On the other side of the Canadian border, Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) plots to leverage her miracle pregnancy against Fred (Joseph Fiennes) by manipulating their former servant, Rita (Amanda Brugel). What makes her think they’re still on friendly terms?

Season Premiere

8/7c

The irreverent prank-calling puppet show earned a bit of respect last year when guest performer Wanda Sykes was nominated for outstanding voice-over performance. The show returns for a sixth season with executive producer Jimmy Kimmel joined by Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy and comedian Iliza Shlesinger to make life interesting for fools who don’t know better than to screen their calls.

Inside Wednesday TV:

• The Goldbergs (8/7c): The spinoff Schooled only lasted two seasons, but we haven’t heard the last of Lainey (AJ Michalka), who re-enters the picture when a heartbroken Erica (Hayley Orrantia) heads to L.A. to see her best friend. Before you know it, they’re getting their band back together. Also returning: Judd Hirsch as Pop-Pop, to whom Adam (Sean Giambrone) is sentenced after getting busted playing underground poker.
• Chicago Fire (9/8c): As part of an all-new night of Chicago procedurals, the firehouse rallies to prepare Cruz (Joe Minoso) for fatherhood.
• Human: The World Within (9/8c, PBS, check local listings at pbs.org): Remember Fantastic Voyage, the 1966 sci-fi thriller about a miniaturized submarine crew injected into a body’s bloodstream? This six-part series isn’t nearly as cheesy, but will fascinate anyone curious about the biological systems that make us tick. In back-to-back episodes hosted by RadioLab podcaster Jad Abumrad, Human opens with a study of the birth process and then moves on to the “Pulse,” with the heart and circulatory system the focus in profiles of an ice climber, bus driver, senior dance club member and a woman in labor.