CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET
In this penultimate new show of the season, Robin (Cobie Smulders), as part of her wedding preparations, goes on a quest to recover something she buried, long ago, in Central Park. Set the Wayback Machine for another flashback, with younger Robin and her dad, Robin Sr., played by the always worth watching Ray Wise.
NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
Today this show begins a new stage – the playoffs, which are noteworthy because they’re live, and thus out of control of the producers and the ever-inventive editors. This is where these musical competition reality shows either achieve liftoff or start flaming back to earth, so it’s worth watching to see how this year’s panel of judges handle the specific demands of live TV. (Over on American Idol, for example, Mariah Carey has yet to learn even the most basic truths about keeping your remarks brief and playing well with others.) Oh, and one other reason to watch this live show tonight? Former judge Cee Lo Green returns – to sing.
Disney Channel, 8:00 p.m. ET
Made in 1950, this full-length Walt Disney classic continues to enchant, casting its spell on every generation of young girls who encounter it. That may or may not be a good thing – but Disney movies, like fairy tales, are a seminal part of childhood. What really matters is that parents are there to talk them through the thorny parts. (With Cinderella, for example, why wish for a Prince? Who not eliminate the middle man, and simply wish to be Queen?)
Lifetime, 10:00 p.m. ET
In the accompanying photo, that’s Cher at left, either yawning widely or reaching for a very early high note. Holding the former Cherilyn Sarkisian is her mother, Georgia Holt, the subject of this often touching, perhaps even surprisingly entertaining Mother’s Day special. Cher, her 86-year-old mom, and Cher’s younger sister, Georgeanne, all swap stories and share photos and old movies in this one-hour special. Its goal is to push mom’s new record album, but the story of Cher and her family tree is the real reason to tune in. When Georgia was born – in Arkansas, so her name wasn’t inspired by geography – her dad was 21, but her mom was only 13. And that’s just the start of this story. For a full review, see Ed Bark’s
Uncle Barky’s Bytes.
Sundance, 10:00 p.m. ET
Tonight’s episode is called “Plato’s Cave,” which refers to a touching conversation Daniel (Aden Young) has with his mom. The crucial conversation in this installment, though, is between Daniel and Tawney (Adelaide Clemens), who connect on a level both intellectual and, even more surprisingly, spiritual.