What’s on TV
EMPIRE 9 p.m. on Fox. The past year has not been easy on “Empire,” a drama about the family of a hip-hop mogul (Terrence Howard). Before the sixth and final season debuted last fall, the writers wrote off one of the main characters, played by Jussie Smollett, who is being investigated for potentially staging a hate crime he himself reported. Now, the series is ending earlier than planned because production shut down before the final two episodes could be completed. This episode will have to tie up a few loose ends: While Bossyfest opens, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) tries to regain control of Empire. Lucious (Howard) contemplates his feelings for her while still supporting Yana (Kiandra Richardson). And, since flashbacks from earlier episodes showed grim endings for Cookie and Lucious, it’s clear the Lyon family is still in hot water.
BLUE PLANET II 3 p.m. on BBC America. As Earth Day approaches, BBC America is airing a marathon of this exquisitely shot nature series, which is dedicated to oceans and their wondrous creatures.
LET’S GO CRAZY: THE GRAMMY SALUTE TO PRINCE 9 p.m. on CBS. For those looking for live entertainment that was not filmed at home, tune into this tribute concert in memory of Prince. (It took place in January, which, for those of us under lockdown, may seem like eons ago.) Hosted by Maya Rudolph, the event features performances — on a stage shaped like the love symbol — by artists including Beck, Alicia Keys and John Legend. Rudolph also jumps on the microphone with her Prince cover band, Princess. The special airs four years to the day Prince died of an accidental opioid overdose.
What’s Streaming
MIDDLEDITCH & SCHWARTZ (2020) Stream on Netflix. When Thomas Middleditch (“Silicon Valley”) and Ben Schwartz (“House of Lies”) aren’t appearing on screens big and small, they’re touring the country as a comedy duo. In these three new Netflix specials, filmed at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, the actors perform long-form improv sketches based solely on suggestions from the audience. The scenarios involve a wedding that segues into the story of sixth-grade lovers; a class of law students who delve into the supernatural; and a job interview that devolves into an existential crisis. Middleditch and Schwartz are a charming pair, and their chemistry keeps the momentum going.
HERE WE ARE: NOTES FOR LIVING ON PLANET EARTH (2020) Stream on AppleTV Plus. This animated short film is a delightful watch for the whole family. Narrated by Meryl Streep and based on the children’s book of the same name by Oliver Jeffers, “Here We Are” follows a curious 7-year old (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) who, on Earth Day, learns all there is to know about the planet from his parents (Chris O’Dowd and Ruth Negga) and an exhibition at the Museum of Everything.
Source: Television - nytimes.com
