Netflix’s new series “The Good Cop” is not a reboot. But it couldn’t be more familiar. For starters, it stars Tony Danza, of “Taxi,” “Baby Talk,” “Hudson Street” “Who’s the Boss?” and “The Tony Danza Show,” among others.
He’s given free rein to vent all of his familiar tricks as Tony Caruso Sr., a disgraced cop recently released from prison to the custody of his son and namesake (Josh Groban), a squeaky-clean cop whose obsessive-compulsive issues about following the rules have earned him the nickname “the Boy Scout” and a few uglier sobriquets.
Hiding behind glasses, singer Groban has a distinct resemblance to the title character of the “Where’s Waldo?” books.
Despite what seems like a near-parody of stunt casting, the two leads share a breezy chemistry.
Beyond even Danza’s presence, the most familiar aspect of “The Good Cop” is its creator, Andy Breckman, the writer behind USA’s “Monk.” Young Tony shares many of Adrian Monk’s tics. And just as Monk mourned his dead wife and vowed to find her killers, the two Tonys seethe at the unsolved death of Mrs. Caruso, wife and mother.
Like “Monk,” this series features a jazzy score and a casual tone. Most cops are morally ambiguous and slightly overweight and overmatched by circumstances until young Tony solves things in the third act with his remarkable focus and attention to detail.
“The Good Cop” will never be mistaken for Golden Age TV, but it’s thoroughly likable. And because Danza is involved, it occasionally goes overboard in its efforts to be liked. Despite the presence of Josh Groban on the team, Danza sings the show’s theme song. And it’s a real groaner.
— Strangers (Emma Stone and Jonah Hill) submit to a pharmaceutical trial, with unexpected results, in the Netflix miniseries “Maniac,” streaming today. Adapted from a Norwegian series.
— Actress Rashida Jones directed the documentary “Quincy,” streaming today on Netflix. It profiles her father, musical legend Quincy Jones, an arranger and producer for talent as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Miles Davis and Michael Jackson.
— Musicians Elvis Costello and Diana Krall add their voices to the children’s cartoon “Pete the Cat,” streaming today on Amazon Prime.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— On two episodes of “I Feel Bad” (NBC, r, TV-14), mother-daughter daze (8 p.m.), me time (8:30 p.m.).
— The ship crash-lands on an unknown planet on “The Orville” (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).
— Fred Savage hosts “Child Support” (9 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).
— Ex-cons go on a drive-by spree on “Blue Bloods” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
An architect (Tony Randall) buys an antique and unleashes a genie (Burl Ives) in the 1964 fantasy “The Brass Bottle” (9:45 p.m., TCM), co-starring Barbara Eden, who appeared in “I Dream of Jeannie” a year later.
SERIES NOTES
One foot out the door on “MacGyver” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) … Malcolm-Jamal Warner guest-stars on “The Resident” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) … Conflicting plans on “Fresh Off the Boat” (8 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG) … On two episodes of “Masters of Illusion” (CW, TV-14), a switcheroo (8 p.m.), smart money (8:30 p.m., r) … J.J. anticipates an award on “Speechless” (8:30 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).
Kevin Hart hosts the season finale of “TKO: Total Knock Out” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) … A two-hour “Dateline” (9 p.m., NBC) … Illusionists audition on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (9 p.m., CW, r, TV-PG) … “20/20” (10 p.m., ABC).
LATE NIGHT
Hillary Clinton and Nik Dodani are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Chrissy Teigen, Ryan Eggold and Dan White on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Olivia Wilde, Noah Centineo and Jungle appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (11:35 p.m., ABC).
Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen and Dominic West visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Ray Romano, Chloe Grace Moretz and Lord Huron appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
(Kevin McDonough can be reached at [email protected].)
