Hey, it’s May! Time was, May was a pretty big deal in the TV universe, the month when shows wrapped up their seasons, and networks offered big movies, miniseries and events in the programming razzle-dazzle known as sweeps. Glancing at tonight’s schedule, it’s more like the networks are running out the clock.
If anything feels like a “May” event, a show dwindling down to its tear-jerker finale, it’s “The Middle” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
The series will air its one-hour final episode on May 22. For years, it was the only comedy on network TV in which folks did not appear to be effortlessly affluent, and parents (Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn) had to worry about their kids being able to afford college.
Viewers who have followed the series since 2009 have seen the young cast grow up. That’s not always easy. From “Leave it to Beaver” to “Malcolm in the Middle,” shows featuring “cute” young kids often end up with awkward adolescents. “The Middle” has always made the most of the fact that the kids were not movie-star gorgeous, and worked their peculiarities and insecurities into the plot.
Tonight’s “Middle” features a story that’s indicative of TV parents fearing the advent of an empty nest: Frankie insists on choosing a prom date for Brick.
TV-themed DVDs available today include season one of the New Zealand comedy “Dear Murderer,” as seen on Acorn.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— “Civilizations” (8 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) examines artistic representations of the divine.
— A defendant faces impossible odds on “Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— The bunker is jeopardized on “The 100” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14)
— A rehearsal tape is leaked online on “Rise” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— A case for the textbooks on “NCIS: New Orleans” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
— A block party bloodbath fills the wards on “Chicago Med” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
— Leonard ponders the big questions on “For the People” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
— An unexpected reunion leads to a realization on “Legion” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
CULT CHOICE
— TCM throws a May Day toga party, with sword-and-sandal exploitation classics including “Atlas” (11 a.m.), “Hercules, Samson & Ulysses” (12:30 p.m.) and “Colossus of Rhodes” (2 p.m.). And don’t forget “The Clash of the Titans” (4:15 p.m.), arguably the best Harry Hamlin-Laurence Olivier movie ever!
SERIES NOTES
A vet seeks justice for her mother on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … The top nine emerge on “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) … Murtaugh becomes captain on “Lethal Weapon” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-14) … Dan chafes at Mark’s flamboyant style on “Roseanne” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … Gypsy returns on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG) … A kitchen remodel raises buried issues on “blackish” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
The gang gathers at a memorial service on “New Girl” (9:30 p.m., Fox, TV-14) … Lena sets a good example on “Splitting Up Together” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Antoinette Robertson is booked on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) … Kathy Griffin, Jonny Sun and Carter McLean visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Elizabeth Olsen, David Tennant and Anne-Marie appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
