BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

NPR, Check local listings

I know, it's radio, not TV. But where else can I proudly trumpet that today on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, the show is repeating her interview with me, from last year, tied to the new paperback publication of my latest book, The Platinum Age of Television: From 'I Love Lucy' to 'The Walking Dead,' How TV Became Terrific. Yes, it's blatant self-promotion. But if not here, where? And if not now, when? And besides -- as Terry interviews me today, she gets me to talk more personally than I ever have on radio. She's tricky that way. But please: Hear the show. Buy the book. And keep visiting TVWW. Thanks to all, for all.

ONCE UPON A TIME

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: At least give ABC credit for consistency, and for thematic scheduling. Tonight, for the first time, the network is pairing two of its projects that suffer from the same internal, infectious rot: too much access to franchise characters, with too little regard for coherent and compelling story lines. (See also: Marvel’s Inhumans. Except don’t see it.) Tonight, Once Upon a Time, a show that began strongly and cleverly when it premiered years ago, embarks on Season 7, with a premiere that jettisons most of its former regular stars and characters, and hits reboot in order to keep this ship afloat. With access to the Disney universe of characters, animated and live-action, the potential remains significant – but last year was such a hot mess (more of a lukewarm mess, really) that it’s dubious there’s an effective course correction in store. Optimists should watch, once, to taste the new flavor. Lana Parrilla (pictured) is one of the few cast members to make the transition to the new series – but not, at first, as her old character.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: "HAVANA TIME MACHINE"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Raul Malo, the Grammy-winning artist from the Mavericks, hosts this performance documentary celebrating the music and heritage of Cuban music. He also performs “Siboney” with the band led by Eliades Ochoa, one of the standout stars of the ensemble, and movie, Buena Vista Social Club. Other performers include Malo, Ivette Cepeda, Roberto Fonseca, and the Sweet Lizzy Project. Check local listings.

ACTIVE SHOOTER: AMERICA UNDER FIRE

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

Last week, this documentary series – with each installment dedicated to an analysis of recent mass shootings in the U.S. – premiered with the 2012 mass shooting at the suburban Colorado movie theater in Aurora, during the midnight Batman premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Seventy people were shot in 90 seconds – which sounded like a horrendous amount of carnage. Then, on Sunday, the mass shooting in Las Vegas occurred, with the apparently lone gunman claiming, at recent count, 58 deaths and nearly 500 wounded. This series is well-researched, thoughtfully presented, and focuses with care on the victims, family members and friends, and first responders. But the fact that this series exists at all – and has a brand-new sequel already waiting to be made – is a sad, sad thing to contemplate. Tonight’s topic: The 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, in which a man and his wife opened fire during an all-day holiday party and training seminar, that left 14 dead and 22 wounded. Showtime announced this second episode would be televised as scheduled, even though a Monday repeat of last week’s show was pulled out of respect for breaking events in Las Vegas.

MARVEL'S INHUMANS

ABC, 9:01 p.m. ET

This is not a recommendation. There’s reason to have comic-book fatigue when it comes to TV adaptations these days, but not all series, or mutants, are created equal. Earlier this week, another entry in the Marvel pantheon of programs, Fox’s The Gifted, premiered, and was surprisingly, refreshingly good. But Marvel’s Inhumans, which premiered last week, is an unwatchable mess. It’s had to believe these two series sprang from the same universe, much less the same (Marvel) Universe.

20/20

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s hour is dedicated to the first responders and other heroes in this week’s Las Vegas shooting massacre. Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir host.

MIKE JUDGE PRESENTS: TALES FROM THE TOUR BUS

Cinemax, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tales from the Tour Bus, by Mike Judge, is one of the sneakiest, most entertaining and original surprises of the current TV season. What he’s done here, basically, is a series of documentaries about country music and some of the stars’ reputed misadventures. And he’s done it with first-rate interviews, which are then animated and folded into the animated “action.” Tonight is part one of a two-part study about one-time country royal couple, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. She sang “Stand By Your Man” – then, for good reason, didn’t.

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Among the scheduled guests on tonight’s lineup: Billy Crystal, Russell Brand, and political strategist Steve Schmidt – three extremely quotable fellows.

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