FROM ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2019
TUNE IN TONIGHT by Kevin McDonough
WILL TV DEBATES IGNORE FARMERS LIKE THE REST OF TELEVISION?
— A second scrum of 10 candidates appears on the 2020 Democratic candidates debate (9 p.m., NBC, MSNBC and Telmundo).
It’s never wise to predict what happens in politics or political events, particularly when you file columns days in advance, as I do. But I will make a guess as to one subject that probably won’t get mentioned.
Over the past year or so, America’s farmers have faced tariffs, floods and a rained-out planting season. Imagine how "the news" would react if the tech sector or Wall Street faced such ruinous prospects?
The simple fact is, television rarely pays attention to farms or farmers. With few exceptions, including Netflix’s "The Ranch" and Paramount’s "Yellowstone," most "rural" shows have followed a "Green Acres" tradition. They’re more likely to be about the comedy of city slickers adjusting to country life. ABC’s recent comedy "Bless This Mess" is just that.
If TV ignores farms and farmers, why should we expect anything different from a TV debate?
— Not in the business of advertising or ratings, Netflix rarely releases audience figures. But it was quick to point out that more than 30 million viewers had streamed "Murder Mystery," a movie comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.
While I’m generally mystified by the popularity of anything involving Sandler, I can appreciate this comedy’s broad, old-fashioned appeal. Its drawing-room murder plot hearkens back to "Clue," both the board game and the movie, and won’t tax the patience of Agatha Christie fans. It features nice scenery, sets and costumes and even a nod to "If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium."
While Sandler stars, it’s not an Adam Sandler movie. He’s not surrounded by his usual entourage.
The most old-fashioned thing about "Murder" is its celebration of the average American (Sandler and Aniston are a cop and a hairdresser, respectively) over rich snobs.
Aniston channels a girl-next-door-who’s-smarter-than-she-lets-on appeal that dates back to Meg Ryan in her heyday and Ginger Rogers in too many movies to mention.
It’s slight, fun summer fare. Like most Sandler efforts, it has been savaged by critics. In this case, I have to disagree. It’s not art, but it is amusing.
— On two episodes of "Life in Pieces" (CBS, TV-PG): milestones (9 p.m.) and an eye-opening vacation (9:30 p.m.). The second episode is the series finale.
Airing its finale tonight, "In the Dark" (9 p.m., TV-PG), the CW drama about a blind, hard-drinking, promiscuous sleuth, has been renewed for a second season.
— Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights," "There Will Be Blood") joins forces with musician Thom Yorke (Radiohead) to present the short "one-reel" film "Anima," streaming today on Netflix and available to screen (for free) in select IMAX theaters.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— An engineering student sends the windmills spinning on "Holey Moley" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
— A murder trial captivates millions on part four of "O.J.: Made in America" (8 p.m., ESPN, TV-14).
— A tech genius develops a prophetic app on "Elementary" (10 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
— A stolen laptop could compromise the governor on "Reef Break" (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
— Martha gets tipsy and forgets the pot roast on "Baskets" (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
CULT CHOICE
The late Gene Wilder stars in Mel Brooks’ 1974 Western parody "Blazing Saddles" (7 p.m., IFC, TV-MA), as well as the 1971 musical "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (9 p.m., IFC, TV-G).
SERIES NOTES
On two helpings of "Young Sheldon" (CBS, TV-PG, r), a test drive (8 p.m.) higher office (8:30 p.m.) … Trivia matters on "The Wall" (8 p.m., NBC, r, TV-PG) … Liv nibbles on the brains of a beauty pageant runner-up on "iZombie" (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) … Six-course meals on "Family Food Fight" (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Howard Dean is booked on "The Daily Show With Trevor Noah" (11 p.m., Comedy Central) … Isaac Hempstead Wright appears on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS, r) … Gov. Chris Christie, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg are booked on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Nicki Minaj, Phoebe Robinson and Julia Michaels on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Miles Teller, Ayesha Curry and Hollywood Vampires appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (11:35 p.m., ABC, r).
Kate McKinnon, Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Jon Wurster visit "Late Night With Seth Meyers" (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Pamela Adlon, David Harbour and Wallows appear on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
