TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
This double feature of Marilyn Monroe movies includes two of her most iconic cinematic scenes. From 1955’s The Seven Year Itch at 8 p.m. ET, there’s the scene where she stands over a New York subway grate as a train is passing underneath, billowing her skirt. Then, at 10 p.m. ET, in 1953’s Gentleman Prefer Blondes, she sings about diamonds being a girl’s best friend, while surrounded by jewelry – and men (pictured).
Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET
SEASON PREMIERE: This is the Season 11 premiere of this American version of the British show of the same name. The British original ran for nine years, so the child has outlived the parent – and with William H. Macy at its center, this U.S. Shameless has been entertaining throughout. And most of these cast members have grown up on the show, literally, and have matured into excellent actors. Emmy Rossum as Fiona left last year, but Jeremy Allen White as Lip, Cameron Monaghan as Ian, and Emma Kenney as Debbie – all playing Gallagher siblings – are still there, and better than ever. And I never seem to remember to rave about Shanola Hampton as neighbor Veronica… so since this is the final season for the U.S. Shameless, it’s about time I corrected that error. Hence her picture.
Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET
MINISERIES PREMIERE: Bryan Cranston returns to series TV – well, to miniseries TV – in this new 10-part drama, based on an Israeli series. He plays a judge in New Orleans whose teen son has a vehicular accident in which he hits another teenager, and flees the scene. What happens from that point on upends the father’s judgments about morality, and what he’ll do to protect his own son. I’ve seen the first four episodes, and they’re excellent. For my full review on NPR’s
Fresh Air with Terry Gross, visit the Fresh Air website. And for reviews here at TVWW,
see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower, and
Mike Hughes' Open Mike.