TCM, 12:30 p.m. ET
The virtual TCM Classic Film Festival continues today, with loads of classic films and TCM specials running all day and night through the weekend. Point your TV to TCM, and you stand a much better chance of making it till Monday. I’ll point out two highlights today, starting with this one: the 1964 Richard Lester romp that still stands as one of the best and most vibrant movie musicals ever made. From its opening chord (and what a chord!), A Hard Day’s Night is a joy. And right now, whether it’s uppercase or lower, who doesn’t need Joy?
HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET
I’m fairly sure Maher plans to do another at-home edition from his back yard tonight. Not live, but close enough. But we’ll see: the byword for everything right now is “Adapt.”
TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET
Here’s the other TCM Classic Film Festival offering I know I’ll be sucked into watching again tonight: 1972’s poetic, exciting, disturbingly unpredictable story of four suburban men who embark upon one last nature-loving canoe excursion down a Southern river that’s just about to be dammed. And the way things unfold down the river, it’s a voyage of the dammed in more ways than one. Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox star – and, like director John Boorman, everything they add to the mix is a giant plus. Great movie, full of unforgettable set pieces. Exhibit A: “Dueling Banjos.” Exhibit B: “Squeeeeeeal like a pig!”
BBC America, 11:00 p.m. ET
Again, I’m not sure if listings and network websites are absolutely trustworthy these days. But if BBC America is on the level, Graham Norton returns for a new season tonight. Like his U.S. counterparts, the U.K. talk show host is practicing TV social distancing: no audience, and with visits via remote video links by such guests as Patrick Stewart, Ricky Gervais and Westworld star Thandie Newton. That may change the dynamics of his program, since Norton encourages guests to appear and converse together – but I’ve always counted on Graham Norton and his show to deliver some solid out-loud laughs, and I see no reason to stop now.