TV best bets with 'Orange is the New Black,' Menendez brothers, CMT Music Awards, 'Orphan Black,' Tony's

ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

This is posted on Sunday, June 4, 2017 by Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Another week and another big Netflix show debuts with the fifth season of "Orange is the New Black" Friday, just a few days after the network cancelled "Sense8" after two seasons and a week after "House of Cards" came back.

BBC America's heralded "Orphan Black" begins its final season on Saturday.

And if the spate of Menendez brothers news reports aren't enough for you, Lifetime is airing a fictionalized version of the sensationalized 1989 murder on Sunday.

CMT's Music Awards on Wednesday and the Tony Awards on CBS Sunday will keep you singing.

This covers Monday, June 5 through Sunday, June 11, 2017.

MONDAY

"The Bachelorette" 8 p.m. ABC — Six lucky guys go on a group date to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

"Gotham" 8 p.m. Fox (two-hour third season finale) — The search for the antidote continues as the deadly virus spreads throughout the city.

"If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast" 8 p.m. HBO — Carl Reiner seeks out some of his nonagenarian friends, including Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, Betty White, Dick Van Dyke, Stan Lee and Iris Apfel—and even a few centenarian ones—to discuss the secrets of their longevity and still-active lifestyles.

“Women Who Kill” 9 p.m. A&E — Reasons behind women who kill family members are investigated

"Stitchers" 9 p.m. Freeform (third season debut)  — Kirsten's life lays in the balance as the team work to bounce her back into the real world.

"Daytime Divas" 9 p.m. VH1 (new series) — Five co-hosts of a popular ladies' daytime talk show are followed, as the women struggle to keep their tumultuous personal lives private and their rivalries friendly.

"Still Star-Crossed" 10:01 p.m. ABC — With Verona in crisis, Rosaline and Benvolio have no choice but to follow Prince Escalus' decree to marry one another in an effort to restore peace, which Rosaline struggles to accept.

TUESDAY

"Sixth District Congressional Debate" 8 p.m. WSB — Jon Ossoff faces off against Karen Handel in the most expensive House race in history.

"America's Got Talent" 8 p.m. NBC — Some super talent last week. Can this week top it?

"Animal Kingdom" 9 p.m. TNT — Smurf adjusts to being sidelined as the guys scope out their next job. Meanwhile, Deran needs quick cash, with Pope and Craig lending him a hand, and Baz snoops into Catherine's vanishing.

"Ink Master" 10 p.m. Spike TV (ninth season debut) — Two teams are from Atlanta.

"Forged in Fire" 10 p.m. History — Competitors turn salvaged junkyard steel into a weapon, with the finalists crafting the legendary Charay sword.

WEDNESDAY

"2017 CMT Music Awards" 8 p.m. CMT — Performers include Keith Urban with Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum with Earth, Wind & Fire and Florida-Georgia Line with The Chainsmokers.

"Little Big Shots" 8 p.m. NBC — Talented children include sibling singers, a young cellist, a gymnastics champion, a 12-year-old opera singer from Holland and a 10-year-old motivational speaker.

"Masterchef" 8 p.m. Fox — Nine aprons remain as the remaining chefs compete for a spot in the Top 20.

"The Carmichael Show" 9 p.m. NBC — A boys' trip finds Joe and his sons visiting Joe's mother, but the getaway takes a serious turn when she presents them with an impossible dilemma.

"The F Word With Gordon Ramsay" 9 p.m. Fox — Families and friends battle it out in a live high-stakes cook-off, with hopes of impressing Gordon Ramsay and celebrity guests.

"Fargo" 10 p.m. FX — Nikki struggles to survive; Emmit gets spooked; and Sy joins Varga for tea.

THURSDAY

"Beat Shazam" 8 p.m. Fox — Last week's couple came just shy of beating Shazam and pocketing $1 million.

"Love Connection " 9 p.m. Fox — Two singles are sent on three blind dates each, with the hope of finding a love connection. Then, they tell all in front of a studio audience, as their dates also react.

"Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta " 9 p.m. WE — Bow Wow returns to Atlanta to establish his legacy, but his bad behavior gets him in trouble with Snoop and Jermaine Dupri.

"Nashville " 9 p.m. CMT — Juliette experiences anxiety about her upcoming first major performance after the plane crash; Bucky clashes with Zach; Scarlett confronts Damien.

FRIDAY

"Orange is the New Black" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (fifth season debut)  Season 5 takes place in real time over the course of three days and chronicling the inmates' fight for redemption, resolution and respect after Poussey's death sparked a riot at the end of last season.

"Dark Matter" 8 p.m. Syfy (third season debut)  The scattered survivors of EOS-7 battle to regroup amidst the backdrop of corporate war.

"Reign" 9 p.m. the CW — Childbirth becomes dangerous for Mary and leaves her and her unborn child's lives in jeopardy.

"Wynonna Earp" 10 p.m. Syfy (second season debut)  — Wynonna and the gang must deal with a whole new level of evil when a variety of demons enter the Ghost River Triangle.

WEEKEND

"The Wrong Neighbor" 9 p.m. Sunday Lifetime — A recently separated father and his teenage daughter become the deadly obsession of their neighbor.

"The Son" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC (first season finale) — The tribe faces an unexpected return in 1849. In 1915, Eli's plan for the future forces Pete into a life-or-death decision about his loyalties.

"Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse" 9 p.m. Sunday OWN (sixth season debut) — The ladies share a big secret.

"Orphan Black" 9 p.m. Sunday BBC (fifth season debut) — Sarah strives to rescue Cosima while struggling to survive on the island herself. Elsewhere: Cosima reunites with Delphine.

"71st Annual Tony Awards" 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — Kevin Spacey hosts.

"Celebrity Family Feud" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC (fourth season debut) — Kelly Clarkson, family and friends against Amy Schumer, family and friends; and Bindi Irwin and family against Chrissy Metz and family.

"Menendez: Blood Brothers" 8 p.m. Sunday Lifetime — A look at the inner lives and motivation behind the 1989 murders of entertainment executive Jose Menendez and his wife at the hands of their sons, Lyle and Erik.

"American Grit" 9 p.m. Sunday Fox (second season debut) — This competiton show was filmed on Jekyll Island.

"Claws" 9 p.m. Sunday TNT (new series) — This dark comedy centers on five hardworking yet treacherous manicurists at a Florida nail salon.

"Hamilton: Building America" 9 p.m. Sunday History — A study of Alexander Hamilton examines institutions he helped to create, including the U.S. Mint, the American financial system and two-party political system. Featuring interviews with biographer Ron Chernow, journalist Tom Brokaw and financial analyst Maria Bartiromo.

"Stevie Harvey's Funderdome" 9 p.m. Sunday ABC (new series) — The inimitable Steve Harvey is hosting a new, groundbreaking show on ABC looking for great innovators and entrepreneurs to help fund their American dream.

"Twin Peaks" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime —This week's plot line is also two words: "Don't die."

"Fear the Walking Dead" 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — Still finding their place, Alicia and Nick fall in with new crowds; while Madison discovers Otto's past mimics that of her own.

"$100,000 Pyramid" 10 p.m. Sunday ABC (second season debut) — Actress and comedian Leslie Jones ("Saturday Night Live") competes against rapper/actor LL Cool J ("Lip Sync Battle"). Game 2 features Tom Bergeron of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and award-winning singer Jennifer Nettles.

"I'm Dying Up Here" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Goldie taps Bill, Ralph and Edgar for an industry showcase at the club.

"Silicon Valley" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO — Richard ponders a deal with the tech world's latest "it" boy; Jack faces setbacks.

"Veep" 10:30 p.m. Sunday HBO — Richard ponders a deal with the tech world's latest "it" boy; Jack faces setbacks.